Sparks fly as crazed inventor creates a very different kind of ‘electric’ piano

Inspired by those piano learning apps that show notes falling down the screen and sparking as they hit the keys, Mattias Krantz decided to take things one step further - well, several steps further - and try to create this visual phenomenon for real.

Yes, he wanted to make a living, breathing electrified upright acoustic piano - one that creates a spark whenever a hammer hits a string. 

There were just a couple of problems: Mattias says that he had never worked with electricity before and, as we all know, electricity can be dangerous (particularly when you don’t know what you’re doing).

It should go without saying that you should not try this at home, but if you want to see what Mattias managed to come up with, check out the video above…

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

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