Swedish musician, engineer, and YouTuber Mattias Krantz decided to attempt something so bizarre that it sounded like the plot of a sci-fi comedy — he wanted to teach an octopus to play the piano. At first, absolutely no one believed him. Friends laughed, subscribers doubted him, and commenters said it was impossible. But Mattias didn’t give up. And six months later, the unbelievable happened: his octopus, Taco, actually began playing music. Yes, really!
Taco’s story began in a seafood market, where the octopus was waiting to be sold as food. Mattias saw him and decided to give the little creature a second chance. He took Taco home, determined to transform him from “potential dinner” into a musical partner. Known for his bold and eccentric experiments, Krantz immediately set to work, designing an instrument specifically for Taco’s abilities.
Instead of traditional piano keys, he created a panel of long, flexible levers — perfect for grabbing and pulling with tentacles. The setup looked strange, but strangely genius.
To help Taco understand the “rules,” Mattias invented a clever reward system. Every time Taco tugged one of the levers, a treat slid down a tube and landed right in front of him. For an octopus, that was better than applause! Over time, Taco began exploring the levers more confidently. He learned which ones made different sounds and which ones brought snacks faster.
Months passed, and the progress was astonishing. Taco wasn’t just pressing keys randomly — he began creating simple rhythmic patterns. It wasn’t Mozart, of course, but for an octopus, it was a genuine musical breakthrough.
Eventually, Mattias took the experiment even further. He formed a duo with his eight-armed friend: Mattias on guitar, Taco on his custom-built piano. Together, they recorded several videos that left viewers speechless.
Watching a rescued octopus confidently tapping out notes beside a smiling guitarist is one of those things that makes you rethink what’s possible in this world.
Amazing? Absolutely.
Unbelievable? Maybe.
Adorable and mind-blowing at the same time? 100%!
