Social ethics.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

Just today my parents had to move my piano away from the neighbor wall and closer to the kitchen. . What I want to discuss in this thread are the ethics and morality of individual vs. social. I don't want to continuously whine and be repetitious about it, due to the amount of times I said this, but my neighbors actively don't like it when I practice in the morning, which I completely understand. We set up a compromise in which they should knock on the wall if they need some rest. Unfortunately, either due to their lack of memory or ignorance, instead of knocking, they turn on music real loud; some crap on the radio or something. Again, I completely understand that they are people and need rest, and if they need some quiet time, they could just let me know, but again, due to some reason they choose to not directly let me know.

My point is............. Should I have to move the piano away from their wall and closer to an available wall, but that is close to the kitchen, or should I ignore them because of their ignorance towards my work. Should I give up some practice time in the morning due to their profligate and quite annoying manner, just for the sakes of them having some rest. Understand that they are only a nuisance during weekends, as that is the time they are at home, so how much "nuisance" can they handle? I have to move the piano to a more unsafe location (close proximity to kitchen) just so that they could have some rest. What is moral and what is not.

To tell you the truth, perhaps it is moral that they should be given the slight advantage. I really don't want to be the guy that makes the neighbors want to kill me, however annoying they may be.

[pianistimo]

my husband and i listen to 'car talk' in the morning on the way to work.  invariably many ethical car problems come up.  this one woman languished that she had sold a car that she now really wanted back.  unfortunately, she sold it to a woman only halfway down her street - so that when she went anywhere - she would see the car. 

the deliberated over this problem for 10 minutes.  it was first decided that she should eat a cheesecake in it's entirety and get over the car once and forall.  then, as she said she couldn't, they suggested stealing the car for a 1/2 day and going to thenearest locksmith and making a key so that she could drive it when she felt like it.  or, the other option was to disable the owner so she would need this lady to chauffer her.  with all the options available - it made deciding even harder.  i don't think any decision was made - except that one of the two car talk guys told her about a dodge dart that they sold and then immediately wanted back.  that did it for me.  i owned a dodge dart and never wanted to see it again afterwards.  it WAS a tank and probably would protect any person from 100 mph collision.

anyhew, getting back to pianos.  moral and ethical decisions. 

i would be most interested to read a few law books and see what kinds of cases have come before a jury regarding pianists and loud racouscous neighbors.  especially pianists who are serious pianists and teach lessons and things.  perhaps there are some legally binding things for you and they - and then some niceties that would lead to them turning down their music a little bit.  you know, take them some chocolates - just do little things that make them feel guilty when they turn up the music. 

[johnny-boy]

Maybe it's time to invest in a Yamaha digital piano with headphones Debut.

You say it annoys you when they turn their stereo up in volume. A piano against the wall facing your neighbors can be very nerve-whacking to them (especially if you make a lot of mistakes).

One other idea is to soundproof a room for your piano. Then you can practice 24 hours a day. It's not all that difficult soundproofing a room. A small amount of sound may still get out, but nothing that will disturb anyone.

Best, John

[debussy symbolism]

With the new location however, I can practice in the morning because I won't be bothering them.

[ada]

 JB you just stole my thunder just as I was about to post. My suggestions exactly.

The solution is so very simple. just invest in a digital for gods sake then you can cut back your time on the acoustic to one or two hours when the neighbours are out.

It aint rocket science.

[jpianoflorida]

so how close are the neighboors?   I'm fortunate ..i live on 5 acres....can pretty much do whatever/whenever...i have a separate building on my property for a studio..we can make as much noise as we want!

[jpianoflorida]

JB you just stole my thunder just as I was about to post. My suggestions exactly.

The solution is so very simple. just invest in a digital for gods sake then you can cut back your time on the acoustic to one or two hours when the neighbours are out.

It aint rocket science.

true it aint rocket science, however we dont' know if debussy is wealthy or???      easy to say "go buy a digital" but we don't know his situation.

[jpianoflorida]

ps:debussy, are you in the US?

[leucippus]

My answer to those kinds of problems was to move into the moutains far away from any neighbors.

Best move I ever made. 

[rc]

true it aint rocket science, however we dont' know if debussy is wealthy or???      easy to say "go buy a digital" but we don't know his situation.

It's a safe assumtion that if a family can afford an acoustic piano, a digital isn't unrealistic.  Even if you've gotta save up for a month or two, it's not a big hurdle.

[pianowelsh]

I bought a silent Yamaha ( so when I teach its acoustic and early/late practice i put headphones in!) BUT to answer your question as I would respond. I would do everything within my power to accomodate the needs of those around me... ie schedule teaching etc at times which arent going to practicularly antagonise and locate the piano in a room/wall which isnt going to transfer the sound too badly. make sure I have taken steps to reduce the ressonance -ie not wooden/tiled floors (maybe a rug or something to ruduce reverb) not practice outside of reasonable hours ie not before 8:45 am or after 10:00pm.  After all that is done I would be incline to say to them LUMP IT! Im paying my morgage too - I need to live same as you and this is the way I make my money - SOCIAL ethics at its finest! Honestly a silent piano is a good compromise and may prevent it escalating to rows. Ultimately a bigger house with garden on 3 or 4 sides would be the ideal... Dream on pianowelsh!!!

[jpianoflorida]

It's a safe assumtion that if a family can afford an acoustic piano, a digital isn't unrealistic.  Even if you've gotta save up for a month or two, it's not a big hurdle.

maybe in the area you live in.....many of my students can barely afford an old upright and to pay for lessons.....and i'm not in a poor area, it's just the cost of living..............

[johnny-boy]

It's all about priorities. How 'bout a part-time job until enough money is saved to purchase it.

I've had parents (of my students) pull-up in my parking lot with their fancy cars, but couldn't afford a decent piano for their children.

John