I hate the damper

[persona]

Well, it's official: I've reached that point in which I can't progress any more using the damper pedal. The problem is, I have aproximately half and hour every week to practice without it. I'm in serious need for advice. What other solutions could there be for this problem? Does anybody know any other way to silence the piano without getting in the way of the hammers? How does everybody manage to practice?

[gyzzzmo]

I dont think there are any 'cheap' solutions. You could ofcourse do all technical practise on a good digital piano (Clavinova) and the finishing on  your accoustic. That way its relativly cheap and you bother your neighbours less.
More expensive is buying a silenced piano. Its better for your touche but still not most ideal.

Most expensive is to move to a house without attached neighbours . Or buy dampening material for isolating your practise room. I dont know exactly how expensive that is, but i heard it costs quite alot. But, that way you can practise much better without having to move to another house.

good luck,
gyzzzmo

[persona]

It's not my neighbours, it's my family that's bothered. Still, tell me more about these silenced pianos? What is that? Can I silence mine?

[ramseytheii]

I had a friend who, when he wanted to practice late at night in his apartment, stuffed an enormous piece of foam, cut in the shape of a grand piano, into his piano, on the strings, past the hammers.  It took away about 75% of the noise.

Walter Ramsey

[slobone]

I had a friend who, when he wanted to practice late at night in his apartment, stuffed an enormous piece of foam, cut in the shape of a grand piano, into his piano, on the strings, past the hammers.  It took away about 75% of the noise.

Walter Ramsey

Walter, that's a great suggestion. Don't think it would work with my upright, though. 

[gyzzzmo]

It's not my neighbours, it's my family that's bothered. Still, tell me more about these silenced pianos? What is that? Can I silence mine?

A silenced piano is actually 2 piano's in 1: Your/the original piano + a build in digital piano. The digital piano uses sensors wich are placed under your keyboard (or something like that). You should try one out at a piano dealer. They can also tell you what it would cost to transform your piano in a silenced one, or whether you should buy the silenced piano at the shop

gyzzzmo