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Original poster

Would it be morbid to ask my grandma if I could record her playing piano before she dies?

26 replies

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 05/03/2020 08:48

I obviously wouldn't word it like that Blush She's not dying, she's in very good health actually, but she's almost 81. She's a grade 8 piano player and some of my favourite memories of her when we were kids was her playing the Teddy Bears Picnic for us on the piano, we loved it! Every time we went to her house we'd beg her to play it and she did, every time. I watched a video last night of an elderly gentleman playing the piano and it suddenly hit me that one day, I'll never again get to hear my lovely grandma playing piano Sad She might have a good twenty years left but at 81, who knows? She has had a few falls at home, the last one only a couple of years ago and she broke her leg.

So would it be weird and morbid to ask her?

OP posts:
bsc · 05/03/2020 08:50

Not weird or morbid at all! It will be lovely to listen too in the future.

SoupDragon · 05/03/2020 08:50

Not at all. Maybe start with saying how you loved it when she played for you as children and then ask if you could record her doing it.

Namey32 · 05/03/2020 08:50

No, my grandma plays too and I'd record her but definitely wouldn't phrase it like that! Ask her if you can record her to listen to when you're at home or in the car for example.

bsc · 05/03/2020 08:50

*to not too, sorry

Glassio · 05/03/2020 08:51

yes ask her to record you a few songs! my grandad did and its lovely although difficult to listen to them now hes gone.

Frownette · 05/03/2020 08:52

Sounds lovely, it will be like she's with you always

Lazydaisydaydream · 05/03/2020 08:55

no it wouldn't be.

I took my grandma on a drive around all the local graveyards and got her to pick where she'd like to be buried. That might be morbid to some but we had a lovely day out Grin

IdblowJonSnow · 05/03/2020 08:56

Definitely ask. Great idea.

Cuddling57 · 05/03/2020 09:00

Irrespective of how old she is it's just a great idea.
Do it because it's a good idea, forget the other bit!

carlyclock · 05/03/2020 09:03

Well yes you can ask to record her, that's a great idea. There doesn't need to be any mention of death in it though. That's a weird train of thought. Just 'wow you are fab, can i record?'

Fannia · 05/03/2020 09:03

I think that would be fine as long as you don't say it that way. You take photos to remind you of happy times, so why not recordings.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 05/03/2020 09:04

I think it's a lovely idea. I dont even think framing as something keep when she is gone is morbid but we're quite open and frank about death in my family.

legalseagull · 05/03/2020 09:06

You don't need to tell her it's for when she dies! Just say you'd love to film her playing so you can show friends and have her music to keep

MsChatterbox · 05/03/2020 09:06

Just say you would love to listen to her play at home so can you record a video.

LittleCandle · 05/03/2020 09:07

No, do it. DM once recorded a record of her singing. DF paid for it for a gift. 'D'B kept it and since we are not in contact, I don't know if he still has it or if it vanished into the tip when the bailiffs came, along with the family christening gown and various other things I had generously loaned him when his DC were born. DM had a beautiful voice and I would love to hear it again.

Spudlet · 05/03/2020 09:08

Not weird, but I definitely wouldn’t phrase it like that Grin

‘Hi Granny, given that you are extremely ancient and basically on the brink of expiring at any moment, could I record you playing the piano before you fall off your perch?’ ConfusedGrin

However just asking to record her would be a lovely thing to do, and a lovely thing to have at any time. I’m sure she would be very pleased that you asked. Just don’t follow it up with an enquiry about her health...

The2Ateam · 05/03/2020 09:10

Oh LittleCandle Sad

VadenuRewetje · 05/03/2020 09:11

no not morbid.

you could say how happy your childhood memories are of her playing, and how you would love to have a recording to play to your own grandchildren when they come along. that way you are talking about something that it's presumably not on the cards for a good 20 years or so, so you won't be sounding like you think she's about to shuffle off.

Lunafortheloveogod · 05/03/2020 09:15

Maybe just ask to record her.. leaving out the “before you pop yer clogs old gal” morbid side. If you tell her it’s a favourite memory I can’t see why she’d object.

Spudlet · 05/03/2020 09:16

LittleCandle, that’s so sad Sad

Original poster
AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 05/03/2020 09:35

I'm sorry @LittleCandle, that's so sad Sad

Thanks everyone Smile I'm glad it's not a morbid thing to do, I was reluctant to ask here, I was expecting to get jumped on and to be told how callous I was Grin

OP posts:
Redcherries · 05/03/2020 10:13

I have a recording of my great aunt singing happy birthday from my answer phone from her calling when I was out. I recorded it with my phone and sent a copy to two friends for back up. My great aunt is currently dying and I know the recording will mean the world to me when I'm able to listen to it.

I would say to do it, but maybe under a different guise! I think it will be time before I can listen to it once she passes (sadly theres no treatment so it is a matter of time, she is 97)

KnightandDay · 05/03/2020 10:24

I think that sounds like a beautiful thing to do, and be able to look/ listen back on.

MarieQueenofScots · 05/03/2020 10:39

Sounds a lovely thing to do and have. Not morbid at all to celebrate such a wonderful gift that created so many special memories for you.

Damntheman · 05/03/2020 10:55

I'd give a whole lot to hear my dad sing again