AN Australian National University (ANU) led experiment has revealed dolphins are attracted to the high-pitched frequencies of instruments, like flutes.

The study, conducted in Port Stephens in December 2021, saw dolphins respond to the flute, piccolo, and the Indian wooden recorder. High pitched singing also seemed attract the dolphins.

Flautist Sally Walker from the ANU school of music said “within minutes” of performing the flute a pod of bottlenose dolphins approached the boat.

“High frequencies and particular intervallic distances between notes seemed to draw the dolphins in and excite them, and staff on the boat said that we had seen an unusually large number of dolphins both in the port and out to sea,” said Ms Walker.

The researchers’ next steps in their study involve investigating the possibility of directly interacting with the dolphins via the hydrophone, an underwater microphone, and seeing what sounds they are most receptive to.

They intend to play their music via an underwater speaker to test whether it influences how the dolphins interact with and respond to music and the musicians, compared to the musicians performing above water.

“For example, do they respond differently to structured music like a Bach sonata?” said Ms Walker.

“Or perhaps more soothing sounds similar to what you would hear on soundtracks designed for meditation.

“Maybe they’re simply attracted to the novelty of someone standing on the bow of a boat and serenading them.”