
In one of the most memorable episodes of America's Got Talent, a chicken named Jokgu took the stage by storm. In Season 12, Episode 1, aired in May 2017, contestants Seiree Arii and Shannon Myers brought their piano-playing hen, Jokgu, to perform in front of a live audience. The chicken played America the Beautiful on a miniature keyboard, following a red light that appeared next to each key. While some were skeptical, with speculation that software was used to assist the chicken, Jokgu's performance delighted the judges and the audience, showcasing a unique talent that has become an unforgettable moment in the show's history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Chicken | Jokgu |
| Year of Appearance | 2017 |
| Name of the Song | America the Beautiful |
| Type of Instrument | Keyboard |
| Owners | Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee Arii/Seiree Arii |
| Judges | Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell |
| Software Used | Training tools |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Jokgu the Chicken played 'America the Beautiful' on a keyboard
In one of the most memorable episodes of America's Got Talent, a chicken named Jokgu took the stage by storm. In Season 12, Episode 1, which aired in May 2017, contestants Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee (or Seiree) Arii introduced their piano-playing hen, Jokgu, to a skeptical audience and judges.
The duo claimed that their intelligent chicken would play "America the Beautiful" on a keyboard. However, when Jokgu was first placed in front of the miniature keyboard, it seemed more interested in its feathers than performing for the audience. But after an uncertain start, Jokgu the Chicken regained its composure and started to peck at the keys, playing the song note by note along with the background music. The audience and judges, including Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell, were wowed by the performance, and Jokgu received four yeses, advancing to the next round.
In the qualifying round, Jokgu was joined by another chicken, Aichan, but the duo refused to play the pianos and were eliminated from the competition. While some skeptics questioned whether Jokgu was truly playing the song or simply hitting random keys assisted by cues and software, the chicken's performance remains an unforgettable moment in AGT history, showcasing the unique talents that the show has to offer.
Mastering Mandarin: Writing 'Chicken Machine' in Pinyin
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The chicken was trained to play the song
In Season 12 of America's Got Talent, Jokgu the Chicken performed "America the Beautiful" on a keyboard. The chicken was trained to play the song, but there is speculation that it was assisted by some software.
Training chickens can be both fun and functional. Chickens can be trained to perform various tricks, such as playing a musical instrument. When choosing a chicken to train to play an instrument, it is recommended to select an assertive hen that pecks hard and has a long attention span. Food motivation is also crucial.
To teach chickens tricks, brain games, and exposure to other trained chickens can be employed. Researchers have found success in having hens observe videos of other hens performing tricks and then imitating them. Additionally, chickens can learn through consistent routines and patterns. For instance, free-ranging chickens can be trained to return to their coop by associating it with food and water.
Training a chicken to play a song on a keyboard likely involves many hours of dedication and patience. The chicken may be attracted to small lights on the keyboard, similar to a cat's attraction to a laser pointer. With the right tools, dedication, and understanding of a chicken's behavior, it is possible to teach a chicken to play a song.
Neural Crest Origins in Chicken Embryos
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Jokgu's owners are Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee Arii
Jokgu the Chicken took the stage by storm in Season 12 of America's Got Talent. The 2-year-old buff brahma bantam chicken played an unforgettable rendition of "America the Beautiful" on the piano. Jokgu later gained a partner chicken, Aichan, and together they attempted to play Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild" on the piano. However, they were eliminated in Judge Cuts.
Jokgu's performance on AGT brought her fame, and she has since appeared on various TV shows and in numerous news articles. She even launched her own line of e-greeting cards and Flockstars apparel. Jokgu lives in Germantown, Maryland, with her owners, Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee Arii, and her band of chicken sisters, "The Flockstars." They spend their days dust bathing, scratching around, laying eggs, and playing on their toy instruments.
While Jokgu's performance on America's Got Talent was impressive, some skeptics questioned whether the chicken was truly playing the piano. They suggested that software or training tools might have been used to assist Jokgu in playing the correct notes. However, others defended the chicken's performance, arguing that it was still a remarkable feat even with some assistance.
Jokgu's owners, Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee Arii, must be proud of their chicken's accomplishments. While it is unclear what role they played in training Jokgu, they have certainly contributed to her success and helped her become a rising star. Their support and dedication to Jokgu have allowed her to showcase her unique talent to the world and gain a loyal fan base.
Exploring the Red Crown of Chickens
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Jokgu was joined by another chicken, Aichan, in the next round
In 2017, Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee Arii appeared on America's Got Talent with their piano-playing hen, Jokgu. Jokgu performed an unforgettable rendition of "America the Beautiful" on a chicken-sized keyboard, following a red light that appeared next to each key. The judges, Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell, were so impressed that they voted "Yes", sending Jokgu to the next round.
In the next qualifying round, Jokgu was joined by another chicken, Aichan, and together they became a chicken duo. However, this time, the chickens refused to play the pianos and were sent home. While Jokgu did not exactly "play" the keyboard like human pianists, it was still an impressive and entertaining performance. The training process for Jokgu was explained by Myers and Arii, who mentioned that some hens have a natural aptitude for learning and a longer attention span, making them good candidates for learning tricks.
Chicken's Rubberiness: Why Does It Happen?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Jokgu performed in Season 12, Episode 1 of America's Got Talent
In Season 12, Episode 1 of America's Got Talent, a chicken named Jokgu took the stage by storm. Jokgu, a piano-playing hen, was brought to the show by her owners, Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee or Seiree Arii. The talented chicken performed an unforgettable rendition of "America the Beautiful" on a miniature keyboard, wowing the judges and the audience.
Jokgu's performance did not start as planned, as the chicken initially seemed uninterested in the task at hand. However, once Jokgu gained her composure, she started pecking at the keys, following a red light that appeared next to each one. Slowly but surely, the chicken hit the keys, note by note, along with the background music. Jokgu's performance was so impressive that all four judges, Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell, voted "Yes," sending her to the next round.
In the subsequent qualifying round, Jokgu was joined by another chicken, Aichan, but the duo refused to play the pianos and were eliminated from the competition. Despite their early exit, Jokgu and Aichan left a lasting impression on the America's Got Talent audience, showcasing that chickens are capable of more than we might expect.
While some viewers were skeptical of Jokgu's performance, questioning whether the chicken was truly playing the correct notes, others were delighted by the unusual act. Jokgu's performance serves as a testament to the diverse talents that grace the America's Got Talent stage and the hard work of her owners, who trained her using tools and methods available for teaching piano to beginners.
Eye Bubble Mystery: What's Wrong with My Chicken?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The chicken, named Jokgu, played 'America the Beautiful' on a keyboard.
Jokgu's owners, Shannon Myers and Sei-Hee Arii (or Seiree Arii), taught her to play.
Some hens have a natural aptitude for learning and a longer attention span, which made Jokgu a good learner. She followed a red light that appeared next to each key.
No, in the next qualifying round, Jokgu was joined by another chicken, Aichan. However, the pair refused to play the piano and were sent home.
Jokgu was assisted with cues and software that plays the correct note when a key is pressed.




















![Chicken Dance by Sauer, Tammi [Sterling, 2009] Hardcover [Hardcover]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31PjZf4m9nL._AC_UL320_.jpg)






















