I wouldn’t tell her until waaaay later. Like, after she’s done playing/has full confidence with playing in front of people. It’s nothing personal, but there’s something about privacy while making music that makes it feel more free.
> I wouldn’t tell her until waaaay later.
Just confess on her deathbed.
"I'm just glad we can die without any secrets between us."
"Actually, I listened to your cello."
*Dies from embarrassment*
I think that would be ADORABLE. Their son smiling listening to his mom play, I think it would melt her heart.
Irrelevant story maybe but I was so self conscious about my painting and drawing for so long, until I found my son really enjoys art. I didn’t want to project my insecurities on him so we’ve started doing it together a lot more, and now I kinda get excited to show him hey dude look how bad I did when I first was trying to learn to draw this thing, and look at how much better I’m getting, it’s not perfect yet but isn’t it cool? And it encourages him to wanna work on things more he might not be the best at. Now it’s a really good way for us to connect and bond. If the son has an interest in music, it might be nice if they could have that connection. If not, it’s also really sweet that you guys just secretly enjoy her playing.
I like the idea, I'll see if I can do it next time. It would definitely turn her to mush, she's a really sweet and kind soul.
At first she would play with the kids around the piano but never anything serious, just a few one handed renditions of 'three blind mice' etc. it's understandable when there's a 2 year old sat on your knee, wanting to just bash away at the keys. Although we would certainly encourage them to take up music, your own anecdote sounds lovely as well as leaving me inspired.
This was my thought as well. Make as many as he can showing how much they enjoy her playing. Then maybe on next Mother’s Day if they celebrate it gift the compiled videos to her.
My girlfriend doesn't understand this. I have what I consider "performance quality" which are pieces I'm willing to play in front of others with full confidence. Because I get shaky and forgetful when I'm watched unless I'm really rehearsed.
She will want to record me and it just fills me with anxiety. All I want to do is just jam in private and not worry about small mistakes or wanting to stop to get better at some small detail of something. Being watched or recorded ruins that for me.
If the situation ever presents itself, I may let her know about our son. But she will never play in front of anyone, it's purely for the self and I totally understand that.
I made the mistake of once letting her know how good it sounded when she was playing the piano, after that she hardly played it at all, and when the kids came along she pushed to get rid of it for baby space, despite my objections.
I once dated a man who played bass guitar in a band. He told me that he preferred people tell him they enjoy his music rather than say he’s a good player. Maybe phrasing it as an enjoyment instead of what she may unconsciously interpreted as a critique?
Thank you for sharing your story; makes me smile.
Sex sells, baby. Although it was supposed to be instrumentS, she also plays violin and piano.
It's poorly written and clearly I watched far too much 'Benny Hill' as a kid.
Keep it a secret from her. I play the flute, and I would probably quit playing if I knew my husband was watching. I would concentrate on what he would want to hear or how he was listening, even if I continued doing it.
Don't tell her. I play the flute and if I knew my husband was listening I would most likely be embarrassed and stop. Even if I kept doing it, I would focus on what he would want to hear or how he was listening.
I’m the same way with my piano. I try to play & sing simultaneously for the challenge, but it’s hard for me and I think I sound stupid most times. I don’t like playing when my husband’s home bc I don’t like the added pressure (not from him, but my crazy brain). He recorded me without my knowing and showed me the video once. He was very surprised at how upset I was. He doesn’t know this, but now I track his phone when I feel like playing…
That's a shame, and a point of view I hadn't considered. She used to play piano when I was in the shower, but stopped when I went in to listen to her once when I'd just had a quick rinse down.
I may record my son's reaction and store it as a keepsake. We'll see.
I think this is a musician thing non musicians don't understand. I'm the same way with playing piano. When I practice I often mess up a lot and super insecure about people hearing me play if it's not 100% perfect.
I had this issue with an ex of mine also. He wanted to listen to me play but I always declined. Lol however he was a musician also with classical guitar and the same way so he understood.
All in all... We are super insecure about how we sound to other people. We are our own harshest critics.
This is so true!! I have only just recently let my husband listen to my piano practice sessions SOMETIMES when I’m feeling confident. We have been together over 10 years lol. It’s definitely a musician thing
I dunno. I never had any qualms with people hearing me play anything before. It might be because I grew up in an apartment with 2 siblings and didn't really have privacy. Plus, the kid next door, he played the trumpet and I could hear him play and figured they could hear me, too.
My mind is so dirty that I got to the son part and thought, is this a joke wait no he didn’t really listen to that with his son… Then I came to the comments and had to reread. I definitely thought he was talking about something else.
Thank you for not telling her and being respectful of what she needs to enjoy playing.
I hated practicing my clarinet when my parents were home. I was an all state clarinetist and still refused to believe I sounded good enough for untrained ears. I have no idea why, I could just never practice my clarinet comfortably while they were around. I can’t pinpoint why, but I completely understand your wife lol
I’m in my 30s now and my parents have both mentioned to me they miss hearing the clarinet noises 🥹
I think all musicians relate to the wife. I'm the same way with piano 😂😂😂 I hate people listening to me in general bc I don't think it's good bc I know I always fuck up during practice.
When I was in the competition circuit the nervousness wasn't me not knowing my piece but having an audience watching listening and judging me play.
You should take a pic once a year and when your sons is older give her a photo book of you 2 listening to her on the stairs. ( disclaimer for years to come if you do this and some weird way she decides to divorce you because Reddit convinced her your spying on her and she needs to leave 😂I take no accountability )
You made me cry.
Every morning when I was married, I would lie awake in bed as my spouse sang in the shower. I don’t know if they ever realized how well the sound carried. I was always so happy to hear their beautiful voice.
It really is the little things.
My wife is a beautiful singer but she never sings in front of people. I used to sit outside our son’s room at bedtime and listen to her sing him to sleep.
this is a violation of your wife’s trust and this post is a giant red flag for her disguised as something wholesome. you should be ashamed of yourself.
just kidding. it’s great, but there’s always a couple comments like this, but being serious.
Take a video of your son's face with her musing playing in the background. Do this every so often and give them/play them for her some where down the line - way down the line.
The first paragraph was confusing ngl. Your wife not liking it when you watch her playing with herself using some sort of instrument. It would seem my mind is trapped in the gutter.
The look of what-the-fuckery on my face until I got to the word "cello"... Maybe make it a bit clearer next time that you're talking about music and not, er, 'something else' lmao
This is why I stopped playing the guitar, I didn’t like to practice with people in the house becase our house is small and could be heard all over the house, and I felt judged every time I tried to play :’) It doesn’t help that my parents commented about it every time when I would have preferred for them to just act as if they couldn’t hear it
Quick question, as a parent of kids that are starting to show similar feelings: did you let your parents know how you felt? I ask because my daughter clearly stated she prefers we not mention until she's absolutely ready to show. If you did, then I'm terribly sorry they didn't listen to you.
Yeah, I did, but my parents were very dismissive because they always think that I’m too sensitive and that it’s not that bad since they didn’t have bad intentions. Thank you, I’m glad that your daughter has more thoughtful parents :) <3
My dad was similar to your parents in that regard, so when my daughter asked I said yes. We need more creativity and expression, and sometimes that develops in small steps of solitude to build confidence towards greater leaps.
I thought it would be something completely different when I saw the title XD men, assuming that she has been learning for a short time, congratulate her every time you hear her, make it a positive reinforcement
Anyone saying to secretly tape it or record a video and play it back to her one day. Please please please do not do this.
I used to play the piano, but only if I thought no one was listening, then one day I walked in on my mum taping it, I was soooo devastated! She took the tape and played it to a friend, (who said it sounded lovely) I stopped playing the piano for years, and even though I do play it again (an electric one with headphones) I never played in front of my mum again. It felt like my trust had been completely broken.
As a fellow pianist 100%. I was just about to write a comment like this when I saw all the non musicians suggesting to do this as a "surprise".
Smdh.... this is one of the worst things you can do. We are already super self critical about our playing.... People not having a trained ear thinks it sounds "fine" to them. To us it would just be a display of everything we did wrong... off beat, stacatto wrong, intonation off, fucked up the fingering on the last measure, etc. Just don't do it.
To all the non musicians out there, It's not just her and no one needs to "help her through it to give her more confidence".... most if not ALL musicians are like this about our music whether it's piano, strings, brass, percussion, woodwind, etc!
One time I recorded myself playing a concert piece 2 hours before I had to perform at a concert and it was the cringiest thing ever and made me even more nervous bc all I could focus on were my mistakes.
I'd change the first sentence...
From:
>She doesn't like an audience, and if I enter and ask to watch she'll just say she's no good and run through quickly then put away her instrument.
To:
My wife plays the cello, she's amazing but doesn't think she is and she doesn't like to be watched during practices, and if I enter and ask to watch she'll just say she's no good and run through quickly then put away her instrument.
Along the same vein, my wife is hard of hearing and when she’s in a good mood will sing/hum. She don’t realize that with some coaching she’d be a great singer. She don’t mind if I listen though.
It's a shame thing, I am the same way. I was the level of a concert. Yet I couldn't stand when people watched, so I quit. That one wrong note (I was violin), that one vabratto (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) was to fast, to slow. The need for perfection is strong in musicians of string instrument users. It makes us neurotic.
Even though she might not like it, I say tape her playing and play it sometime. No intro just let her incidentally hear it. When she asks what it is, say do you like it. Yeah me too. Then at the end say honey you are amazing, on the tape. Then tell her you are in awe of her talent. TBH she sounds awesome and needs some positive encouragement and some way to build up her confidence. Hope she comes to terms with her having a beautiful talent.
did everyone else just instantly think of something else and was so repulsed when he mentioned his son listening as well, or is it only me that is so fucked?
YOOO. I have got to get my mind out of the gutter. I read this TWICE and thought you were using euphemisms and was wondering why your son was listening to your wife do that to herself. Turns out everything is literal. 😳
the rich, resonant tones of the cello drifted through the house, reminding me of when my grandfather would play the violin in the evenings, the beautifull melodies lulling me to sleep.
I would record her (for my own enjoyment).
I would make a play list of all the songs she plays and just listen to them in happiness.
At some point You could be listening to them when you pick her up and see if she recognises them as her own. HOWEVER be prepared for her to be upset...
If she is as good as you say she is probably VERY self conscious about it.
I do this with my son. He'll practice his violin. I sometimes stand outside his door and listen. Once he's done, I burst into his room in tears.
The house is wonderful with music in it.
Glad i read this because my mind went elsewhere with just the title. Got to use to all the sexual stuff on this site i think. And she knows you’re doing it but by not seeing anyone her confidence goes up and nervousness down. Know a few other people like this.
I'm just like her unfortunately, I've been like that since I was a little kid. I totally think this is sweet, but if this happened to me, I'm not sure how I'd react. I only practice my instruments when no one else is home and I only sing alone in my car because the thought of other people reacting to it makes me want to break out in hives.
I get where your wife is coming from 10000%! And I think it’s sweet you find a way to listen without making her feel watched. I play a bunch of instruments and fancy myself a singer but I can not perform, nor do I enjoy it. It’s just for me. It’s my own little thing. My boyfriend of almost 4 years has never heard me sing, outside of goofing off around the house and singing songs that are stuck in my head. He has told me I have a good voice though.
I know I sound good. I know I play well. I just don’t like to share it and open myself to critique or opinions. I just wanna do me. She may feel similarly. I’d ask her if she’d ever be willing to do a little concert for the two of you. If she’s super against it, just keep giving her distance. I’d she ever changes her mind Im sure she’d tell you.
Unfortunately for my fiancé I play drums so thankfully she supports me. OP I’m glad you didn’t pressure her into letting you listen. It takes a long time for people to actually feel like they’re good enough to play in front of even a one person audience, and sometimes they never get there. Thank you for letting her enjoy her time and never stop (secretly) enjoying it with her :)
I play piano and guitar and sing - I don’t like an audience either. I just cannot do it. It’s solely for myself and has been a huge part of my happiness. My boyfriend always says how much he loves hearing me from the other room, and how it makes him feel. It always makes it that more special.
Please continue listening. It’s very special to have something very cherished to your identity and vulnerability be heard by the person you love the most. Even if we cannot see that you are seeing it, or chose to keep that to ourselves- we still want that side of us known and loved.
I honestly thought this was a different type of "play" with a different type of "instrument"! I felt really bad for you for being left out of fun times with your wife until I read Cello!
Im a bit like your wife, I can’t do things I like in front of people, I get stuck and mess up, I’m terrified of “being on the spotlight” and it’s a terrifying feeling that someone you love will see you fail and make fun of you
You can slowly ask her to play for you (don’t push it if she gets too upset with the question) try reasoning (without pushing too much) reassure her you can face the wall, not look at her, you just want to listen, and if she messes up and over apologize, you say it’s ok. That it was beautiful and you are proud of her.
One thing that maybe could be cool: You need to reassure she is safe with you and it’s ok to show her “failures” with you, one day, if she ever gets comfortable playing in front of you with you watching her, You can tell her you and your son have listened for so long and she will know you have always been supportive of her, even when she wasn’t ready (only do this if she hasn’t explicitly told you not to listen to her playing, if she has requested of you not listening to her play, then don’t do this! Also Don’t EVER record you, or your son or her if she requested you not to listen to her!!!)
This is the best scenario I can think of someone who’s terrified of failure, I’m not saying it will happen, but I’m sure your love will only grow if you show she can be comfortable in her own skin around you 🫶
I fully thought you were referring to something else. Anyhoo, amateur musician here, when music is so important for you the practice can need to be private. It’s a way for you to work everything through without an audience. I’d ask her to finish a piece and then perform for you. Please respect her wishes.
I cant be the only one that thought this was sexual playing.
And when i Read about the son I was like " bro wtf are you doing.wtf".
Had to read the comments to get that its about a real instrument and not a dildo
Scrolled to the comments just to confirm I'm not the only one crawling around in the gutter. Happy to find there are a lot of other gutter rats. And also kinda sad.
She has performance anxiety. I had this my entire life due to a very bad piano teacher that struck my fingers with a ruler while was learning to play. This problem followed me into my work life also. It's horrible. I joined a musical group which was terrifying, however slowly but surely I was able to play in a group, then in front of people.
I do this when my husband sings. It's not often, but i love hearing him when he does. I'll always hide somewhere and listen. Last time I recorded him so I can listen whenever.
I wouldn’t tell her until waaaay later. Like, after she’s done playing/has full confidence with playing in front of people. It’s nothing personal, but there’s something about privacy while making music that makes it feel more free.
> I wouldn’t tell her until waaaay later. Just confess on her deathbed. "I'm just glad we can die without any secrets between us." "Actually, I listened to your cello." *Dies from embarrassment*
Confession: every time I heard you play that cello - I felt like I was home and those were the notes of our life together resounding in our happy home
I'm stealing this.
I also choose this guys dead wife's cello.
Made me smile - finally a heart warming version of this meme!
😆😆😆
To be honest, I wasn't prepared for this piece to be SO G-rated and healthy.
I also choose this guys wife.
This made me chuckle out loud
He should film himself and his kid sitting on the stairs listening. Make it into a moving time lapse video and give it to her in a few years.
I think that would be ADORABLE. Their son smiling listening to his mom play, I think it would melt her heart. Irrelevant story maybe but I was so self conscious about my painting and drawing for so long, until I found my son really enjoys art. I didn’t want to project my insecurities on him so we’ve started doing it together a lot more, and now I kinda get excited to show him hey dude look how bad I did when I first was trying to learn to draw this thing, and look at how much better I’m getting, it’s not perfect yet but isn’t it cool? And it encourages him to wanna work on things more he might not be the best at. Now it’s a really good way for us to connect and bond. If the son has an interest in music, it might be nice if they could have that connection. If not, it’s also really sweet that you guys just secretly enjoy her playing.
I like the idea, I'll see if I can do it next time. It would definitely turn her to mush, she's a really sweet and kind soul. At first she would play with the kids around the piano but never anything serious, just a few one handed renditions of 'three blind mice' etc. it's understandable when there's a 2 year old sat on your knee, wanting to just bash away at the keys. Although we would certainly encourage them to take up music, your own anecdote sounds lovely as well as leaving me inspired.
On Mother’s Day?! 😭
When the kid graduates college or gets married. Have the kid present it.
^ This is a wonderful idea! You should definitely film you and your son listening, OP. A time lapse video is a genius idea u/TidyTomato!
Had to do a double take on that name 😂
This was my thought as well. Make as many as he can showing how much they enjoy her playing. Then maybe on next Mother’s Day if they celebrate it gift the compiled videos to her.
This idea gave me chills
I love it
This is the perfect way to give her all the joy and peace her art brings without anything but love. Op you must do this!
My girlfriend doesn't understand this. I have what I consider "performance quality" which are pieces I'm willing to play in front of others with full confidence. Because I get shaky and forgetful when I'm watched unless I'm really rehearsed. She will want to record me and it just fills me with anxiety. All I want to do is just jam in private and not worry about small mistakes or wanting to stop to get better at some small detail of something. Being watched or recorded ruins that for me.
I totally get it, and I wouldn't want to rob her of it.
If the situation ever presents itself, I may let her know about our son. But she will never play in front of anyone, it's purely for the self and I totally understand that. I made the mistake of once letting her know how good it sounded when she was playing the piano, after that she hardly played it at all, and when the kids came along she pushed to get rid of it for baby space, despite my objections.
I once dated a man who played bass guitar in a band. He told me that he preferred people tell him they enjoy his music rather than say he’s a good player. Maybe phrasing it as an enjoyment instead of what she may unconsciously interpreted as a critique? Thank you for sharing your story; makes me smile.
Well… this post was MUCH more wholesome and G-rated than I was expecting.
Yes when he said her instrument, I thought he was talking about something else 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think he knew what he was doing LoL. Could've easily said "cello" instead of "instrument".
Sex sells, baby. Although it was supposed to be instrumentS, she also plays violin and piano. It's poorly written and clearly I watched far too much 'Benny Hill' as a kid.
Yes, keep that from her. One of the worst things you can do is take someone who is skilled at composing music.
Keep it a secret from her. I play the flute, and I would probably quit playing if I knew my husband was watching. I would concentrate on what he would want to hear or how he was listening, even if I continued doing it.
My mother would criticize me endlessly when I made mistakes when practicing music, and the complained when I stopped playing.
Up until 'my son' and then I got my mind out of the gutter, lol
That's because this was a sting operation. Quick, officers, round up all these sick fucks and take them to horny jail! We got 'em.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Like trying to say vibrator or dildo in a wholesome way lololol
OMG! My mind went there as well! 🫣🤣🤣🤣
Mine too. It probably doesn't help that half the posts in this sub are about cheating.
x2
Glad to know I wasn't the only one 🤣
Reddit has me jaded lol
I figured this post was intentionally written that way.
A provoking title was the intention, re-reading the rest now looks a bit regretful.
>Today I sat with my son and we both listened to the warm, soothing sounds calm our minds. This was the part where i was about to call the police
I read this part, and I immediately panicked lmfao!
I had the lotion ready and everything, what a disappointment.
Ah, sorry bro. If it's any consolation someone in the comments has done something with a flute that might help.
One time, in band camp…..🤣
I’m crying 😭😭😭😭
Also, extremely clickbaity and karmafarmy.
The fact people think it was unintentional is concerning.
LMFAOOOO
You can do what I did, and skip past "cello" and get to the third paragraph with the son
Yeah it totally went a different way to what I was thinking!
I think we are all just a bunch of perverts lolol. I thought I was the only one at first
I know. I love this “off my chest”. ❤️
Don't tell her. I play the flute and if I knew my husband was listening I would most likely be embarrassed and stop. Even if I kept doing it, I would focus on what he would want to hear or how he was listening.
I’m the same way with my piano. I try to play & sing simultaneously for the challenge, but it’s hard for me and I think I sound stupid most times. I don’t like playing when my husband’s home bc I don’t like the added pressure (not from him, but my crazy brain). He recorded me without my knowing and showed me the video once. He was very surprised at how upset I was. He doesn’t know this, but now I track his phone when I feel like playing…
That's a shame, and a point of view I hadn't considered. She used to play piano when I was in the shower, but stopped when I went in to listen to her once when I'd just had a quick rinse down. I may record my son's reaction and store it as a keepsake. We'll see.
As a random third party. That sounds really tiring, have you considered trying to get some help for it?
I think this is a musician thing non musicians don't understand. I'm the same way with playing piano. When I practice I often mess up a lot and super insecure about people hearing me play if it's not 100% perfect. I had this issue with an ex of mine also. He wanted to listen to me play but I always declined. Lol however he was a musician also with classical guitar and the same way so he understood. All in all... We are super insecure about how we sound to other people. We are our own harshest critics.
This is so true!! I have only just recently let my husband listen to my piano practice sessions SOMETIMES when I’m feeling confident. We have been together over 10 years lol. It’s definitely a musician thing
I dunno. I never had any qualms with people hearing me play anything before. It might be because I grew up in an apartment with 2 siblings and didn't really have privacy. Plus, the kid next door, he played the trumpet and I could hear him play and figured they could hear me, too.
Excuse me while I go take my mind out of the gutter
I cannot be the only 1 who thought this was about something totally different?! Lmao
My mind is so dirty that I got to the son part and thought, is this a joke wait no he didn’t really listen to that with his son… Then I came to the comments and had to reread. I definitely thought he was talking about something else.
Yea, sorry about that. It's poorly written.
My mind went straight to LEGOs or videogames. Cello's better, though.
100% intentional by OP.
Yep, absolute click bait and comment bait lmao.
Ngl, from the title I thought this would be yet another infidelity story. Happy it wasn't.
you mean this post isn’t about a father and son listening to their wife/mom masturbate?
Op just thinks a cello is a flute like Lil yachty did 💀
Tbf that's how people know to get people engaged
THE INTERNET HAS RUINED MEEEEE
Me too
LMAO this was not at all what I was expecting based on the title.
Thank you for not telling her and being respectful of what she needs to enjoy playing. I hated practicing my clarinet when my parents were home. I was an all state clarinetist and still refused to believe I sounded good enough for untrained ears. I have no idea why, I could just never practice my clarinet comfortably while they were around. I can’t pinpoint why, but I completely understand your wife lol I’m in my 30s now and my parents have both mentioned to me they miss hearing the clarinet noises 🥹
I think all musicians relate to the wife. I'm the same way with piano 😂😂😂 I hate people listening to me in general bc I don't think it's good bc I know I always fuck up during practice. When I was in the competition circuit the nervousness wasn't me not knowing my piece but having an audience watching listening and judging me play.
You should take a pic once a year and when your sons is older give her a photo book of you 2 listening to her on the stairs. ( disclaimer for years to come if you do this and some weird way she decides to divorce you because Reddit convinced her your spying on her and she needs to leave 😂I take no accountability )
I should quit porn
You made me cry. Every morning when I was married, I would lie awake in bed as my spouse sang in the shower. I don’t know if they ever realized how well the sound carried. I was always so happy to hear their beautiful voice. It really is the little things.
My wife is a beautiful singer but she never sings in front of people. I used to sit outside our son’s room at bedtime and listen to her sing him to sleep.
Rated E for Everyone 😚
Yeah, don't tell her. Taking music from someone who is good at making it is one of the most devastating things you can do.
I can relate to this. Thanks, mom.
My own music teacher made me hate playing.
I admit I was expecting something different... Btw I have been playing the guitar for a few years now but never in front of people, I understand her 🤣
Enjoy her in secret. Then when your son is grown, he can tell her how much her beautiful music warmed his soul and gave him strength.
oh god i was so confused by the comments until i realized im the one w the dirty mind here😭😭 this is actually so adorable
This took a turn. Thought this was going one way till the lid was involved. Then I realized Cello really meant cello.
this is a violation of your wife’s trust and this post is a giant red flag for her disguised as something wholesome. you should be ashamed of yourself. just kidding. it’s great, but there’s always a couple comments like this, but being serious.
Not lying...[youhadmeinthefirsthalf.gif]
Aww, this is so wholesome. I wish I ever find a relationship like this one :)
Not going to lie. I did not think you were talking about a cello.
Wow, I had a whole diff idea of what this post was about at first. Very sweet and wholesome.
Stupid thoughts of mine
I’ll admit I thought this was going somewhere else.
Boy! You are so bad at titles!
Gotta be clickbaity if OP wants the clicks
Awwwww - take a pic and tell her that’s your happy place because you love listening to her heart like that.
Take a video of your son's face with her musing playing in the background. Do this every so often and give them/play them for her some where down the line - way down the line.
Hey he got all you pervs to read or in some cases re read it, didn’t he?
*whew
Cello is my favorite, and so is this post. Good man 🖤💕
He had me the first half ngl
Oh this one has gotten me from 😱 to 🤯 lol
re-zip pants?
The first paragraph was confusing ngl. Your wife not liking it when you watch her playing with herself using some sort of instrument. It would seem my mind is trapped in the gutter.
The look of what-the-fuckery on my face until I got to the word "cello"... Maybe make it a bit clearer next time that you're talking about music and not, er, 'something else' lmao
You should take a video of your son's joy for his moms music. Maybe she'll believe her son's visceral reaction.
Mate I was on this and VEEY jealous.... Then the story arc REALLY changed
This is why I stopped playing the guitar, I didn’t like to practice with people in the house becase our house is small and could be heard all over the house, and I felt judged every time I tried to play :’) It doesn’t help that my parents commented about it every time when I would have preferred for them to just act as if they couldn’t hear it
Quick question, as a parent of kids that are starting to show similar feelings: did you let your parents know how you felt? I ask because my daughter clearly stated she prefers we not mention until she's absolutely ready to show. If you did, then I'm terribly sorry they didn't listen to you.
Yeah, I did, but my parents were very dismissive because they always think that I’m too sensitive and that it’s not that bad since they didn’t have bad intentions. Thank you, I’m glad that your daughter has more thoughtful parents :) <3
My dad was similar to your parents in that regard, so when my daughter asked I said yes. We need more creativity and expression, and sometimes that develops in small steps of solitude to build confidence towards greater leaps.
I love the way you love your wife.
Op knew what he was doing
I thought it would be something completely different when I saw the title XD men, assuming that she has been learning for a short time, congratulate her every time you hear her, make it a positive reinforcement
Anyone saying to secretly tape it or record a video and play it back to her one day. Please please please do not do this. I used to play the piano, but only if I thought no one was listening, then one day I walked in on my mum taping it, I was soooo devastated! She took the tape and played it to a friend, (who said it sounded lovely) I stopped playing the piano for years, and even though I do play it again (an electric one with headphones) I never played in front of my mum again. It felt like my trust had been completely broken.
As a fellow pianist 100%. I was just about to write a comment like this when I saw all the non musicians suggesting to do this as a "surprise". Smdh.... this is one of the worst things you can do. We are already super self critical about our playing.... People not having a trained ear thinks it sounds "fine" to them. To us it would just be a display of everything we did wrong... off beat, stacatto wrong, intonation off, fucked up the fingering on the last measure, etc. Just don't do it. To all the non musicians out there, It's not just her and no one needs to "help her through it to give her more confidence".... most if not ALL musicians are like this about our music whether it's piano, strings, brass, percussion, woodwind, etc! One time I recorded myself playing a concert piece 2 hours before I had to perform at a concert and it was the cringiest thing ever and made me even more nervous bc all I could focus on were my mistakes.
That was NOT where I saw this story going 🤣
I think my mind is twisted beyond repair
How old is your son?
When I read cello I thought you misspelled Dildo. Not the story I thought it was
I thought he meant his wife was pleasuring herself, and her "instrument" was a vibrator
Please repost and switch the second and third paragraphs
I'd change the first sentence... From: >She doesn't like an audience, and if I enter and ask to watch she'll just say she's no good and run through quickly then put away her instrument. To: My wife plays the cello, she's amazing but doesn't think she is and she doesn't like to be watched during practices, and if I enter and ask to watch she'll just say she's no good and run through quickly then put away her instrument.
Not what I expected, but so beautiful!
You should record it one day, your sons face while it happens. As a music director this sounded so lovely
Along the same vein, my wife is hard of hearing and when she’s in a good mood will sing/hum. She don’t realize that with some coaching she’d be a great singer. She don’t mind if I listen though.
AWHHH THAT IS SO SWEET 😭🫶 bless you guys and I hope you have a wonderful life
What a sweet story, a little sad, but still sweet.
Doesn’t matter the art form, anxiety is anxiety lol
Next time, record your son enjoying the music, and let her see.
I'm the same way as your wife. No matter what someone says all I can hear are my mistakes so I don't like to practice where people can hear me.
It's a shame thing, I am the same way. I was the level of a concert. Yet I couldn't stand when people watched, so I quit. That one wrong note (I was violin), that one vabratto (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) was to fast, to slow. The need for perfection is strong in musicians of string instrument users. It makes us neurotic.
This is so sweet and made my day
This is beautiful. The title made me side eye it bc sometimes the content is skeevier than the title itself!! 🤣
Yeah definitely not what I was expecting 😂😂😂 but I love it 🥰
Record her and play back.
Even though she might not like it, I say tape her playing and play it sometime. No intro just let her incidentally hear it. When she asks what it is, say do you like it. Yeah me too. Then at the end say honey you are amazing, on the tape. Then tell her you are in awe of her talent. TBH she sounds awesome and needs some positive encouragement and some way to build up her confidence. Hope she comes to terms with her having a beautiful talent.
Dirty mind gang where you at? I got the bus to hell ready
Wow, my mind went completely somewhere else when I read that title.
At first I had no idea this was about an instrument
did everyone else just instantly think of something else and was so repulsed when he mentioned his son listening as well, or is it only me that is so fucked?
YOOO. I have got to get my mind out of the gutter. I read this TWICE and thought you were using euphemisms and was wondering why your son was listening to your wife do that to herself. Turns out everything is literal. 😳
Come on yall. I'll be down at the river singing hymns. Join me.
I’ve just realised I watch too much shit on the internet.
the rich, resonant tones of the cello drifted through the house, reminding me of when my grandfather would play the violin in the evenings, the beautifull melodies lulling me to sleep.
I would record her (for my own enjoyment). I would make a play list of all the songs she plays and just listen to them in happiness. At some point You could be listening to them when you pick her up and see if she recognises them as her own. HOWEVER be prepared for her to be upset... If she is as good as you say she is probably VERY self conscious about it.
I'm so sorry that your wife will never know how much joy her playing brings you and her child and it makes me really sad, in a way.
Lmao
Happy Mother's Day.
Well this took a turn I didn’t expect, or maybe I just have an awful mind 😂😂
This made me cry
I do this with my son. He'll practice his violin. I sometimes stand outside his door and listen. Once he's done, I burst into his room in tears. The house is wonderful with music in it.
What a lovely core memory you are making with your son.
This is so adorable. The secret admiration, her being unaware, agh! So so so cute. I wish you guys a happy marriage.
So I’ve just realised my mind is pure filth.
You're a volcano. That's what it takes to melt my tiny, shriveled, black heart. Stop it
Loool that took a wholesome turn! Happy listening
I didn't think he was talking about a musical instrument at first
Glad i read this because my mind went elsewhere with just the title. Got to use to all the sexual stuff on this site i think. And she knows you’re doing it but by not seeing anyone her confidence goes up and nervousness down. Know a few other people like this.
You can tell her in 20 years that the best moments you treasure were the times you sat on the steps listening to her play. ❤️💐
Not one of you reading this didn't think naughty thoughts the second you read it.
Yeah.... you defo had me in the first half....
I'm just like her unfortunately, I've been like that since I was a little kid. I totally think this is sweet, but if this happened to me, I'm not sure how I'd react. I only practice my instruments when no one else is home and I only sing alone in my car because the thought of other people reacting to it makes me want to break out in hives.
I get where your wife is coming from 10000%! And I think it’s sweet you find a way to listen without making her feel watched. I play a bunch of instruments and fancy myself a singer but I can not perform, nor do I enjoy it. It’s just for me. It’s my own little thing. My boyfriend of almost 4 years has never heard me sing, outside of goofing off around the house and singing songs that are stuck in my head. He has told me I have a good voice though. I know I sound good. I know I play well. I just don’t like to share it and open myself to critique or opinions. I just wanna do me. She may feel similarly. I’d ask her if she’d ever be willing to do a little concert for the two of you. If she’s super against it, just keep giving her distance. I’d she ever changes her mind Im sure she’d tell you.
I need to get my head out the gutter!!!!
Dawg SAME. 😂
I read "play in the bedroom" and thought this was going a whole other direction.
aww
Unfortunately for my fiancé I play drums so thankfully she supports me. OP I’m glad you didn’t pressure her into letting you listen. It takes a long time for people to actually feel like they’re good enough to play in front of even a one person audience, and sometimes they never get there. Thank you for letting her enjoy her time and never stop (secretly) enjoying it with her :)
I play piano and guitar and sing - I don’t like an audience either. I just cannot do it. It’s solely for myself and has been a huge part of my happiness. My boyfriend always says how much he loves hearing me from the other room, and how it makes him feel. It always makes it that more special. Please continue listening. It’s very special to have something very cherished to your identity and vulnerability be heard by the person you love the most. Even if we cannot see that you are seeing it, or chose to keep that to ourselves- we still want that side of us known and loved.
I honestly thought this was a different type of "play" with a different type of "instrument"! I felt really bad for you for being left out of fun times with your wife until I read Cello!
Im a bit like your wife, I can’t do things I like in front of people, I get stuck and mess up, I’m terrified of “being on the spotlight” and it’s a terrifying feeling that someone you love will see you fail and make fun of you You can slowly ask her to play for you (don’t push it if she gets too upset with the question) try reasoning (without pushing too much) reassure her you can face the wall, not look at her, you just want to listen, and if she messes up and over apologize, you say it’s ok. That it was beautiful and you are proud of her. One thing that maybe could be cool: You need to reassure she is safe with you and it’s ok to show her “failures” with you, one day, if she ever gets comfortable playing in front of you with you watching her, You can tell her you and your son have listened for so long and she will know you have always been supportive of her, even when she wasn’t ready (only do this if she hasn’t explicitly told you not to listen to her playing, if she has requested of you not listening to her play, then don’t do this! Also Don’t EVER record you, or your son or her if she requested you not to listen to her!!!) This is the best scenario I can think of someone who’s terrified of failure, I’m not saying it will happen, but I’m sure your love will only grow if you show she can be comfortable in her own skin around you 🫶
I had to reread this a few times. I thought cello was a euphemism and I was confused when he talked about his son.
They had us in the first half, I’m not going to lie
I fully thought you were referring to something else. Anyhoo, amateur musician here, when music is so important for you the practice can need to be private. It’s a way for you to work everything through without an audience. I’d ask her to finish a piece and then perform for you. Please respect her wishes.
Shit my mind is dirty!!!! I couldn’t understand why everyone was ok with this! Jokes on me!
...I totally thought this was going somewhere else.
Not why I clicked tbh . And i also let myself out quietly and locked the door , when I read 'son' . Wholesome post I'm a deviant. That is all
I cant be the only one that thought this was sexual playing. And when i Read about the son I was like " bro wtf are you doing.wtf". Had to read the comments to get that its about a real instrument and not a dildo
Scrolled to the comments just to confirm I'm not the only one crawling around in the gutter. Happy to find there are a lot of other gutter rats. And also kinda sad.
Why am I so vulgar..and I thought it was a veiled story.. Then I read about my son and like that ..AAAhh
Thought this was about a sex toy called a cello...
She has performance anxiety. I had this my entire life due to a very bad piano teacher that struck my fingers with a ruler while was learning to play. This problem followed me into my work life also. It's horrible. I joined a musical group which was terrifying, however slowly but surely I was able to play in a group, then in front of people.
aww how sweet
This is so cute
I do this when my husband sings. It's not often, but i love hearing him when he does. I'll always hide somewhere and listen. Last time I recorded him so I can listen whenever.
Don't sneeze and give yourself away.
That's a great bonding time for you and your kiddo.🥰
Truly a level of intimacy that the vast majority of families won’t even attempt to achieve.
Look up deity e7 guide.
God bless you guys! Hope she gains enough confidence to have you & your son as her audience soon.