The Spongebob Deaf Theory

[@wildrosetc]

I think his musical abilities depend on his confidence. If he feels good, he plays well. If he's nervous or insecure, he plays horribly.

[@CrushedLvl]

I always thought he just thought he had natural born talent and would just be a natural born prodigy at the clarinet without actually learning how to play it.

[@kamkamkamkamkamkamkamkam]

he was confident during the childhood flashback in the movie 🤔

[@johns6014]

@@kamkamkamkamkamkamkamkam Confidence doesn't translate to experience, however. It's a passion of his, and it's something that he's practiced for years, but that's experience that he didn't have as a child, so even if he was confident as a child, that doesn't mean that he'd be good, so citing his childhood failures doesn't really contradict the theory. It would be believable if on a subconscious level, he fears rejection for his passion, based on the reception that he received in his formative years. The fact that this rejection has been reinforced time and time again, even as an adult, certainly wouldn't help things. He's practiced and engaged in the art for years, so he _understands_ what he needs to do, but he could be unconsciously self-sabotaging himself most of the time, just out of nerves. This could be a root of his default emotional state as well; he was rejected by others as a child, so he rejects the world in response, and as a result, he's an emotionally negative person. However, when his passion is truly engaged and fed by more positive emotions, that could be enough to override his subconscious fears, and to let his practice actually shine through.

[@Mister_Sun.]

@@kamkamkamkamkamkamkamkamhe was’t good yet Edit:also only seasons 1-3 are cannon

[@kamkamkamkamkamkamkamkam]

@@Mister_Sun. if we're being honest here, seasons 1-3 + the first movie are the only episodes I'd actually refer to as spongebob, everything after that is just a spinoff

[@gdawgmainguy17]

Being tone deaf is very different from being deaf.

[@The.171]

Deaf gives more engagement

[@zk2741]

hi venom

[@jakoontz420]

My thoughts exactly

[@bostonrailfan2427]

and it seems like it’s not deafness that’s causing the problem: it’s others causing him to grow angry and frustrated that is. coupled that with his ego and you have a huge problem

[@samuelflipaclip7415]

@@bostonrailfan2427he probably thinks he is really good and has that ego for a reason. Also spongebob and Patrick probably made him salty in the sea (heheh)

[@lighthouseraven]

A lack of fingers can also hider someone's ability to learn an instrument with finger holes.

[@NbNgMOD]

Dont ever call it a finger hole again

[@Echo_the_half_glitch]

But... isn't that what it's called? (I play brass, I don't know)

[@SilasBeLikeDallas]

Finger hole.. lol

[@NbNgMOD]

@@Echo_the_half_glitch its called a key, a key. A tone hole is the 3rd finger down (rather than having the lil cute clamp its open, that one key is a TONE hole)

[@IchNachtLiebe]

He should have become a drummer who exclusively uses palm slaps.

[@Torivic]

What iiiiif Squidward plays the clarinet poorly on purpose? So he would unload his frustrations about Spongebob's annoying noises, so Spongebob and Patrick would eat their own medicine?

[@tripleconsonant]

i like this

[@bostonrailfan2427]

and it in turn is what causes him to make mistakes in the first place creating an endless loop of frustration and bad music

[@Bytheway-2004]

I honestly think he's not mean. he's just stuck between two dumbasses. I feel you squiddy.

[@InspectahReal]

Yeah I think sponge is an intelligent and kind dude and negativity doesn't even exist to him but he needs to realise people need their space

[@Bytheway-2004]

@@InspectahReal why did that sound like a joke at first lol

[@InspectahReal]

​@Thisbananaforyou512 idk but I'm being serious

[@Bytheway-2004]

@@InspectahReal sounds accurate

[@N000c]

He’s just an older brother

[@Paisenfree]

Squidward can't hear himself because his inner musicality is of such magnitude that it drowns out the actual sounds.

[@MarxistMomentum]

Don't worry Squidward. You're not tone deaf, you're just cursed!

[@redengine4433]

this theory is just as valid as laws of physics to spongebob

[@SpadesNeil]

This is easily debunked. Squidward has put on a great performance in the past, but only when he's actually confident and in the zone for it. Most of the time he's too focused on becoming famous to really let his talent shine through. He's anxious.

[@DanielLynchYT]

1:52 that part is because he is very hurt from the 100000ft fall.

[@FroztyyOnVR]

There was a whole episode dedicated to spongebob and patrick annoying him by making a lot of noise

[@randnew1]

The bubble incident *was the curse* & him being garbage at playing as a kid was before he learned & got better up until the bubble incident

[@redwolftrash]

that's what i was thinking tbh

[@JamesR624]

Oooh a theory. "There's a theory going around TikTok" And I am immediately uninterested and know this theory is bunk.

[@aclutchboy5389]

I WAS SAYING THE SAME THING. I WAS GONNA MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT IT LOL

[@manjot2727]

"me think my favorite social media good, that social media bad."

[@Shugunou]

It was one of the mote plausible TikTok theories.

[@Zacharydotson3668]

Squidward has skill issue not tone deaf

[@Jeryy-y8x]

SKILL ISSUE SHUT UP I HATE THAT WORD SO FUCKING MUCH

[@КГБКолДжорджКостанца]

Damn, he called squidward sexy 😏 Not wrong

[@MarxistMomentum]

Well, he is!

[@КГБКолДжорджКостанца]

@@MarxistMomentum he's not wrong

[@moon908]

He is right!

[@Ganymede2076]

THESE THEORIES ARE ONLY GETTING CRAZIER AND WEIRDER

[@Invalid-user13k]

Okay so there's a deaf guy. Interesting theory. Squid sounds good till he lost his hearing.

[@MonsterEnergyGal]

0:03 LOWKEY HEAR ME OUT THO

[@shenarose]

👂🏻

[@darkeye457]

The issue of Squidward has a simple answer: EGO Squidward is a HUGE narcisist, he geniunely thinks that he's the only one in the right and everyone else is just a petty hater. We can see this in multiple episodes, one clearly when spongebob mockingly imitates squidward saying "Everyone else is wrong", at what Squiward replies "Well, that's correct" We can also see this in his art, Squidward is actually a great artist, dominating all kinds of techniques, but ALL of his paintings and sculptures are just self-portraits. Squidward is his own muse, only seeing beauty on himself, the reason why people hate his paintings as nl one likes a narcissist, and also his face is canonicaly considered ugly so that's another reason. This is why Squidward has never improved, he can't take criticism, he thinks he's just missunderstood and that one day someone will share his selfish artistic vision, instead of trying to take what people advice to him and try to do a geniune improvement, as he has geniune skills but he gets stuck on mediocrity due to his huge ego. Also explains the moments he played nicely, he wasn't thinking on himself for once, he was doing it for others, or was happy after helping a friend, or tried to compete with his friend/rival. He wasn't playing just for himself for once, and this guves us the key that he needs to open his eyes and start seeing the other people that surround him, great artists portray their surroundings and how they interacted with their enviroment, not just about themselves.

[@royalfool200]

No I don’t think it’s a valid reason why he’s not good at the clarinet sometimes and good at it other times. I think it’s more likely due to his emotional state and connection to the music just like the two octopi that were observed with the speaker.

[@calebfoster7148]

The curse is when he's frustrated like his ancestor was. When he is content, he plays well

[@lxnarr]

So it's another easily disprovable with a single episode tiktok theory, cool. That didn't need 8 minutes, but you format and convey your video very well. tiktok really doing wonders for society.

[@Johnny_Sweatpants]

Guessing he made it 8 minutes to get that sweet ad revenue

[@Ekajje]

What theory disproves this immediately and why? Not saying this theory is correct, I just wanna hear what you think.

[@tooftuu]

disprove it then

[@tooftuu]

and also this comment makes no fucking sense. its another easily disprovable... what?

[@Greglag_Goose]

@@tooftuu read it again

[@N3Selina]

just the fact he can play well does indicate some sort of musical ear, so no, i don't think he's tone-deaf i really liked that section with real octupi and how they reacted to music. maybe it's similar for squidward

[@BlaketheBlock]

theres also an episode called best day ever where squidward gets his own concert and actually appears to do a good job since the crowd applauds him at the end when spongebob gets in

[@mategido]

Bro, if Beethoven could figure it out from vibrations, I trust our handsome handsome squidman

[@Shugunou]

This is actually a myth. After Beethoven became completely deaf, he retired. He was able to play while only partially deaf but even he was not able to play while completely deaf.

[@EricN64]

Bro spent nearly ten minutes just to come to the conclusion that he doesn’t actually think squidward is tone deaf, just like “jk nvm lol” like what???

[@SomeUsernameSomeoneElseTookIt]

BUT THAT'S JUST A THEORY

[@tafae-sf4uv]

​@@SomeUsernameSomeoneElseTookItA SPONGEBOB THEORY thanks for watching!

[@Odium_DOB]

JUSTICE FOR SQUIDY!

[@OmegaChu]

That's so sad that spongebob's stupidity caused him to go tonedeaf. Because every action has an equal and opposite reaction so it was spongebob that caused squidward to react with blowing that bubble and causing this

[@OmegaChu]

yes i did comment this only halfway through the video

[@King_Randomgrandpa]

I personally think it might, and I do mean might, be mostly the curse and a little bit of him being into his music.

[@nicholasaustin6823]

Since Squidward heard the very loud sound lost SOME of his hearing when the bubble pop.

[@Juanluisito_Supremo_Craft_BP]

0:30 GrAvItY FaLlS

[@noahhoskins6777]

or maybe just maybe he is notoriously bad for comedic effect?

[@POWDERFPV]

bro this aint a theory. its a whole THEOREM

[@azanimates]

But hey. That's just a theory. A DEAF THEORY!

[@blueninety]

squidward is not a bad player, that is a common misconception he's excellent at experimental free-form jazz

[@Arraia_dev]

squidward just has skill issue

[@Anarqism]

I think he just likes to play random ass notes like me

[@nabollo]

A simpler explanation: he lacks fingers.

[@KleinBottlerIndustries]

0:24 That cursor genuinely scared me thinking there was a roach on my screen

[@finn9232]

haven't even watched the video, he's just tone deaf and it's a running gag. done, your question has been answered lmfao

[@GeteMachine]

The emotional state affecting his music ability actually does make sense, because Squidward is generally a stressed, snarky and irritable person when near Spongebob and Patrick but in the moments he does play well its when he is actually in a good mood. Like in the episode where he lives with just other Octopuses, he joins a park choir and liking it at first, he did play well with them.

[@Sokka6969]

Yes in squidville

[@cool_guy_1.e4071]

My theory is whenever squidward is annoyed ir disturbed by SpongeBob he plays the clarinet bad because it ruins his emotional state so then he's off beat and disconnected to the music thinking about SpongeBob

[@MillySilly-1]

I don't think being "tone deaf" means you can't distinguish musical tones, but more dialogue related tones, like anger and sarcasm

[@IndigoApocalypse2051]

To be fair, the clarinet SpongeBob gave him could have made him sound good no matter what.

[@hugolovesphones]

I don't think squidward has ears on his head...

[@kignfh59]

Well see Squidward is obviously a squid not an octopus, so...

[@elibronico8713]

If he's not tone down deaf... then where's his ears?

[@001variation]

They need to make an episode where squidward somehow gets temporary God-like skills at playing the clarinet. Like when that alien probe made Barclay really smart in TNG, or in Futurama where tape worms make Fry really intelligent and good at playing holophone.

[@SSong_Yuqi]

Vid : abt SpongeBob Ad: abt fish Me:🤣😂😅🥲🙂😬🫤😑

[@L0veKarma]

nah hes just a mastermind doing sick music

[@JayOppold]

I don't normaly appreciate over analysing, but I liket yours.

[@Gangster_Broccoli]

The end frame 💀

[@Shugunou]

If we were to say that Sponge On The Run takes place in a different universe (another theory I saw) and that Squidward's ancestor didn't actually have the power to curse his descendants, the theory would hold up but it's reliant on those two things so not the strongest theory. Edit: Tone deafness cannot be caused by loud noises unlike regular deafness so it would have to be something else that caused it. The two main types of amusia are acquired and congenital. Congenital is from birth while acquired is caused by brain damage. It is entirely possible that after the bubble popped and he fell, he hit his head so hard that it caused brain damage, leading to his amusia.

[@NATISALIVIE]

Maybe when he is happy he can play his clarinet good I play clarinet and its hard ngl

[@nintendofan707]

its all in his mental state man.

[@Yerp_Merp]

The only problem with this is that he practices with sheet music so even if he was tone deaf, he would be playing whats on the paper and it would sound good, so he might just be bad.

[@barrysteakfriessimp_real]

i think this theory is interesting but i really think that Squidward probably just doesn't have that much confidence in himself or a particularly strong connection to his music a lot of the time. he comes off as a perfectionist who doesn't exactly have the right confidence, but he's really trying and he just needs a little push. i think it's less tone-deafness and more trying to be perfect at playing music all the time and thus never seeming to progress that much.

[@DanilegoPlays]

5:48 they really showed the octopus a song called Chtulhu bruh. To see if they start praising their lord I guess

[@-FISH_BOWL-]

Im getting hit by a hurricane rn

[@jayl5032]

He's just tone deaf, not completely deaf.

[@tafae-sf4uv]

Did you even watch the video

[@gorgeousfreeman1318]

I swear people think too deeply into shit, it's a gaff, a joke, a plot device. His notes were bad after the bubble because he fell from sea level to the bottom, do that and see how your skills go. Even then, every episode is secluded. Even then, I think the original plan was a sort of joke, that he is AMAZING at artistry, but poor at the Clarinet.

[@jay.dec4y]

saw pretty much the exact theory on reddit tfrom 6 years ago

[@GERMENDARIALOR-xn1xd]

This one is acually a BIG theory. Remember every character is working under Crabs wings, but Squidward is one of the oldest workers within the frame, and his "deafness" is related to that. Squidwards is almost like SpongeBob proyection of a "failed" asured business model. He is the oldest worker, but also the one expecting the BIG PAYOUT, while SpongeBob is the Bliss and Hope of the business. Crabs knows it, but at the same time isn't forcing the way as he did with Squidward.

[@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1024]

Also most of the time he does sound good or at least in the middle seasons they started it bad made it good then made it bad so it'd make sense again from what I remember 1:28 or maybe it's just random then I do recall it getting good again when ever they'd berate Squidward for supposedly bad playing

[@royalfool200]

My father’s wife is completely tone deaf but she loves music… and singing completely terribly to every one of the cringe songs she likes.

[@Buttercup_Iss_better]

at that point i'd just quit

[@pastaplumber9000]

Bro what if he's tone deaf that's crazy, it's almost like that's thE *IDEA* Also 0:37 TECHNIQUE? TECHNIQUE? TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE, FIRST YOU DO THIS, SPIN AROUND, STO-

[@althealee9375]

Plenty of Deaf people enjoy music, it’s not uncommon at all

[@dasoftieguy]

He literally cant turn tone deaf because of a loud sound, that can only make you fully unable to hear, which we know isnt the case

[@j8kethewizz]

idk man I play the clarinet and sometimes the instrument just does its own thing lmao

[@skywarp1216]

I think one of the biggest reasons he's not that good is tge fact that he doesn't have fingers, meaning he can only play a very limited set of notes and tones

[@WileyRyley]

😂 You're WAY overthinking this. Squidward has a mental block caused by... you guessed it. Spongebob and Patrick.

[@nighty_kit]

0:56 honestly thats fire

[@kjw21411]

8:10 - what episode is this where he has a yellow clarinet?

[@santiagovillarreal976]

0:10 0:11 0:12 0:13

[@-Goofy_Goober-]

ALL HAIL THE GREATNESS THAT IS THE GOOFY GOOBER

[@tabbyx9926]

I'm sorry but I can't genuinely hear this theory out just because of your username.

[@chillface2776]

genuinely love your content

[@somerandompersononlineig]

SQUIDWARD TESTICLES!!

[@natejoe9924]

I'm still crossing my fingers for that snail video I really would like to know what happened to his first snail before he got Gary

[@borntoclimb7116]

This theory sounds cool.

[@blu3m0nkey]

It could be his clarinet

[@EnesColak]

soundwaves in water is different 🤔

[@FireKingJJBoy]

Maybe squidward is tone deaf but an incident that happened when he was really REALLY Young before the flashback in the episode with the kazoo and Camp Coral may have caused his inability to make good music on most occasions

[@Xeorboom]

he's not even that bad!

[@stevenfragoza46]

nah, his clarinet is just doodoo feces

[@jamielishbrook2384]

Full disclosure. He originally played based on his mood. This is hinted at in a few episodes. When he was in a bad mood, admittedly almost always, he played badly. But when he was actually happy, he could play pretty good. It seems to have since become a running gag that he just can't play at all. Keep in mind he was playing good in tentacle acres as well, and it was quite a bit after the bubble incident. Just saying.

[@ginlock46]

He's tone deaf

[@turquoiseangel03]

widward

[@Trailbreaker3966]

I think the original theory might be valid if you take into account the fact that the episodes are not in chronological order in fact I believe that the original movie is still the end of the SpongeBob story with maybe a few episodes placed after it

[@plasmaflippy9376]

Oh hey this makes sense, Stephen Hillenburg (that's the guy that first made spongebob, right?) was actually a marine biologist, and he made a lot of real life stuff in the show, this could actually be true, we don't know what Stephen knew

[@huzaimizuhri8482]

When will Mr. Catman from the Spongebob Bubble Theory Return?

[@Pluelul]

to be fair, there are lots of artists that dont improve over years. i feel bad for saying it but I have a few friends whose drawings have stayed stagnant for years bc they never bothered to change the way they draw, despite drawing for 10+ years

[@profloganspace]

OK, nice facts but Squidward is a squid

[@Sokka6969]

THERES NO SENSE 💀

[@jonvia]

Im the opposite of tone deaf. With all my music experience, Im near or at perfect pitch with my hearing. So when I hear commercials with bad singing in it, it will actually hurt to hear it.

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

Tone deafness isn't caused by hearing damage that's ab old wives tale.

[@kennyalwaysdies1]

Sponge on the Run isn't canon. They even retconned the first few episodes of the show. I'm sticking to the bubble theory.

[@MysticalGoatKnight]

My partner's tone deaf while I am not so it's kinda funny trying to guess what song the other is thinking of. But no, Squidward isn't tone deaf, it's been proven that he can do music well, just not when he's anxious/insecure annnd not when his dumbass neighbours keep fucking things up for him. lol

[@green00157]

2:00 minecraft villager sound

[@RudyHHOfficial]

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