what do you do?

[joeplaysthepiano]

Hi, this is my very first post.  I've just come back from college recently, where I could play the piano in an isolated sound-proof room as long as I want.  Now, I come back home with all of my family being back, and the second I start practicing, some member of my family whines and complains about the noise (even though I'm good).  There is always someone home, and I just cannot practice what I want to practice without some form of harassment.  I'll be here for the next three weeks, and it is just eating at me that I cannot play the piano in quiet.  Does anyone else have this problem?

[leemay001]

I don't have the problem personally. Do you play with the soft pedal pressed? Maybe getting a digital keyboard would be a good idea. You can take them anywhere and if you get a decent one, they sound almost exactly like a piano. Not to mention they're touch-sensitive also. If not then maybe you could get them to go out or something? I don't think putting a sound proof cage around you would work... hmmm. Maybe the piece your playing is a loud one? Try playing something more silent? Or try to organize a time with the reli's that you can have the room to play piano for a while. Maybe setting up a little program and performing for them? Or taking requests for certain pieces? Even moving the piano into another room (if possible). Well, there's a list of idea's to try out. At least one has to work, I hope.
Regards,
  ~Lee~

[bernhard]

It depends how much money you are prepared to invest.

1. Build a sound-proof room for your practice.
2. As Leemay said, get a digital piano.
3. Have you ever heard of the Yamaha Silent Series? these are real pianos, with real strings and all, but when you press the middle pedal, they transform into digital pianos and you can use earphones.
4. Move out of your family house. (Use this as a threat to blackmail them into accepting your practice. But be warned! they may jump on it! )

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[dj]

why don't you try to practice somewhere else where there is a decent piano? i used 2 practice at church, also, some piano dealerships will let u play on their pianos, or maybe at some acquaintence's house...anyway, u get the idea, good luck.

[leemay001]

3. Have you ever heard of the Yamaha Silent Series? these are real pianos, with real strings and all, but when you press the middle pedal, they transform into digital pianos and you can use earphones.

That is so cool. I want one!
  ~Lee~

[djbrak]

F*@# the family, if they don't support your practicing, who will?  I have an acoustic piano that I recently purchased and I sometimes practice late at night when my family is sleeping.  Maybe you don't have to go that far, but if you're doing it while they're awake, tell 'em to piss off!
-Renato

[leemay001]

Well as long as your family aren't in the mafia then that might work but some people don't like to yell at family.
  ~Lee~

[maren]

i used to have the same problem from time to time. my family didn't complain though, but it feld weird practicing with someone listening. my solution was to tape a few layers of toiletpaper (or thick cloth) over the strings in the piano between the hammers and the strings (attatched it to the metal frame (?) on each side) which lowered the sound conciderably. probably not the best thing for the piano, but it certainly worked for me and my piano still makes the same sound after removing the paper...

[leemay001]

Good thinking maren  ,
  ~Lee~

[pianomaestro88]

Try talking to your family. I am sure that they support you and if you talk with them and explain that you need your practice time I am positive that they will be able to empathise. Perhaps you could even work out particulars of a daily schedule that you all agree on. I do not think you need all the "technical support" or mind-boggling renovation--just a little chat.
If they do not cooperate maybe you should consider finding a new family.

[GraceStansbury]

tell them to shove it and that you don't like the incessant sounds they make when they complain... then play as loud as possible    

[chopinetta]

but of course! a nearby piano selling shop should help! you can play in their store and they'll even hire you to attract costumers with their music! that's based on someone else's experience so it might suit you as well.

[Rach3]

Perhaps glue together sound-proofing panels around your piano to make a sound-proof "practice box", I would like that.

Can you really practice in a piano store? It would be wierd, bringing all my music, metrnome, doing exercizes and scales, ignoring the wandering customers, the loud-mouthed salespersons, the five year old playing "Ode to Joy" with one finger, they would throw you out sooner or later anyway.

[Rach3]

Of course I didn't really answer your question, in your place, when I get to Julliard (I wish) I'm NEVER leaving, not even for the summer, hyptothetically though I think you could convince them somehow, or something.

[chopinetta]

i think, no offense, the people in your place are mad. how could they criticise such music? what then do they want to listen to? eminem? eeeeeeeeewwwwww!!!!!

[leemay001]

i think, no offense, the people in your place are mad. how could they criticise such music? what then do they want to listen to? eminem? eeeeeeeeewwwwww!!!!!

Hahahaha, that was interesting. Although I used to like Eminem, rap just annoys me now...
  ~Lee~

[leemay001]

the five year old playing "Ode to Joy" with one finger, they would throw you out sooner or later anyway.

Hahahahaha. I remember when I learned that! Probably the first thing I ever played  
  ~Lee~