How can I practice piano like this?

[littletune]

Well... I know noone can really help me with this I just need to say it anyway...
I really don't know how to keep practicing piano because the neighbours now hate our whole family because of it  Today the police came... The neighbour that lives downstairs called them... I mean she was threatening to call them for a long time now... because she says that we are making so much noise all days and nights and that we are making toys and selling them (illegally) -it's a crazy story that she made up (don't know why)... but she started with all this at about the time I got piano (well or at least when people figured out that I was playing the piano)... so today the police came... they said that people are complaining about us... and my mum said who exactly is complaining... and they said that the downstairs neighbour... and also the neighbours living next to us... that they said that I'm playing piano EXACTLY at the time when they wanna watch the news on tv (and they can't because of it) ... so my mum said why hadn't they ever said anything... I mean if someone would ask us nicely I would of course try practicing the piano at a different times... but noone ever said anything to us they just said it to the police... but this next door neighbour is a retired cop and his son was a cop too (but then they discovered that he hadn't really finished school and he had fake papers - that was in the newspaper)... but looks like they're still friends with the police cause they were talking like they were friends... so I don't know... i think that's a little scary... I don't know... 
And so because I don't want to bother people while they're watching TV I went practicing piano a lot earlier today... but I guess that wasn't ok either because someone (i don't know which neighbour it was) started banging on the wall or ceiling like crazy... It was really horrible... I mean I just kept playing anyway... but it was REALLY hard to concentrate... and my hands were shaking... because I was just so angry and sad... and I mean I know my hands are shaking when i play at recitals too (or exams) but I can't practice like this every day!!! And i can just feel all the hate coming from the neighbours while I'm playing.....  it's just really horrible! How can I ever really enjoy playing again when I know how much our neighbours hate me (and my whole family) for it... I mean today I just kept playing cause I was so angry and I didn't want the neighbours to think they can just make me stop playing piano like this.... but.... when I think about tomorrow and next days.... I just don't know if I can do it..... I mean cause before I loved practicing sooo much... but now I just feel bad when I think about it....
And then of course my dad starts saying that we really are a werid familiy and that I shouldn't be practicing in the afternoon or something.... I don't know we just start arguing and just everything is really bad....  I mean the policeman said that I can of course play the piano during the day and then in the end he said that maybe the downstairs neighbour would stop complaining... but my mum says that it just won't stop... cause it's just getting worse....!!
So I just don't know what to do... with all this crazy neighbours around... what if they do something to us! (like to my pets!) this crazy people really scare me!! And it's all because of me and my piano!  I'm sooooooo sad.... I don't know if i can ever enjoy practicing piano again  And I mean I was only practicing piano like 1 to 2 hours (it's not like I was practicing it for a whole day!) and even of those 1 to 2 hours I practice about half of that time with the silent pedal... a lot of days i only practice loudly for like a half an hour and the rest with the silent pedal!!! (like the scales or the pieces I'm just starting to learn cause I don't want to annoy them with scales and the things where I'm still making a lot of mistakes) I only play loudly the pieces that I play kinda ok already and the pieces I'm practicing for the recitals... how can that bother them soooo much!!!!!!!!!???

I mean I was thinking if I wrote a letter (or whatever) I mean like and hang it so everyone can see it and ask the neighbours to tell me what time would be the best for them... so I would try practicing only at those times... but I don't think everyone would like the same times... so  then it would make some of them even more angry and I mean if people would want some weird times like when I'm at school or something then I could only practice at weekends... but probably a lot of them wouldn't like weekends either.... I just don't know......      I don't think there is a solution for this, except that I stop playing piano or that we move     
I hate my life, I hate stupid people, I should have just died years ago! And then evreryone would be happy and there would be no problems in the world I guess! Sorry I know this is a kinda stupid thing to say and im feeling sorry for myself.... but...... it's just so horrible seems like there's just no hope for me at all!

[musicluvr49]

Oh my goodness,  that is so sad. 

Those people have no right to be angry at you for practicing, in the morning or the afternoon. It's your home, and the piano does not make so much noise that it is a major disturbance to people.
All I can say is continue using the quiet pedal, eventually(hopefully) people will realize that you're not going to stop playing the piano, and they will get used to it.

I kinda sorta  know how you feel. I live in a family with 10 people, so there's always someone yelling or screaming when I'm trying to practice. And of, course, instead of telling them to shut up, my dad tells me to stop playing the piano. 

Hope all goes well,
 

[m1469]

Hi Littletune, Yeah, you can't practice when you feel like that, so something has to change.  I know you love your piano, but is it possible to sell it and get a digital?  Or, get a digital and not sell it?

You know, there are a lot of sad things in the world, and for most people (and I believe even for many pianists and musicians), they wouldn't understand (maybe can't even imagine) how not playing can be that sad.  But, for some people, it is!  It's a terrible experience to stifle deeply something that actually affects your very health.  I would say if it is really, truly upsetting you, find a way around it.  Any way around it.

I wonder though, aside from the possibility of a digital or practicing somewhere else ... what about inviting neighbors over for a little concert with a cake and punch?  Perhaps they just need to be a bit more a part of your world, and have the desire to be rooting for your progress, you know?    And, do any of them play an instrument?  Maybe especially the lady downstairs, you could have her come up and do some rhythmic duet with her broomstick on the floor, while you play .  Do not stifle your music though, find a way whatever it takes.

[gradedpiano]

i feel sorry for you mate, my piano is right next to my wall and i practise all day and my neighbours dont mind. I once stopped playing and they knocked on the wall and told me carry on because it helps there children sleep lol. Why dont you buy some headphones so only you can hear the piano?

[quantum]

This is sad.  Keep persisting through this hardship.  Keep on playing no matter what.

[stevebob]

littletune, can you find out what your legal rights are in this situation?  (The police should have been able to clarify that, but it doesn't sound like they were any help at all.)

In most places, musicians have the right to practice at reasonable times of the day and for reasonable lengths of time.  Why not discuss the situation with the neighbors?  Be firm that you will continue to practice, but you're willing to schedule it when it's most convenient (and least bothersome) for everyone involved.

The reason it's good to know what your local laws or ordinances say is that many people are simply not reasonable.  They think about themselves first, and the needs of other people are not a priority.  What would you do, for instance, if you were to approach a neighbor with the idea of negotiating a practice schedule and the neighbor demanded that you not play piano at all?  Of course we know that's unreasonable, but what does the law say?

Do try to learn your legal rights here.  That's the only basis for knowing with certainty what's justifiable and what's unreasonable, and then working out a solution that everybody can agree on (or will have to live with because, after all, that's the law).

[becky8898]

Hi Littletune. What you said really bites. Makes me so mad.  but listen I know that you feel like your world is crumbling around you.  It sucks when your 12 and no one will take you seriously. Thats the real problem.  No one ever listens to me except when it comes to music.  What I do sometimes is get an adult to fight for me. How about it. A parent, a teacher, Sometimes when I have a problem I talk to our Priest or one of the sisters at church.  I know your not me, but I have my problems also. I wish I could be there for you. Maybe you could get an adult to go with you and talk to some of your neighbors and explain just how important this is . 

Anyway i normally say a few prayers at night before I go to sleep , so you will be mentioned.  Keep your chin up and  keep trying .

Cheers, from your bud Becky

[Bob]

If you're within your rights there's nothing the neighbors can really do, esp. now that they called the police.  I was just stay away from them and ignore them. 

You could try sound proofing your piano, although that won't do a lot.  Putting towels or rubber pieces under the legs can keep sound from going straight into the floor.  There are more threads on here about about that.  I wouldn't bother with really muting it -- like with putting blankets or towels all over the piano -- because that affects the sound. 

You could put in ear plugs to keep out the sound of the neighbors.  You have an incentive to keep playing each day.  The neighbors aren't going to pound on the walls all the time.  However... I wouldn't be surprised if they tried something else -- like cranking up their stereo, doing whatever they can do to make noise within their rights.  Even with a loud stereo, they have to live with that too and they won't do that forever.

You could go with a digital piano, but why?  You've got an acoustic and that's better.  If you wanted to practice at midnight, then sure, a digital.  You really shouldn't have to pay any money to buy a digital.  Maybe the neighbors will buy one for you?  Haha.

[littletune]

Hi everyone! Thank you sooo much for reading my really long post and for all your comments and for trying to help me and make me feel better and for all the great advise! It really means a lot to me!!  Cause when there's so many mean and angry people around you it just kinda feels like there are only people like that in the world... so it's really nice to hear such nice comments from really nice people like you all
I do feel a little better today but I still don't know exactly what to do... (I haven't been practicing yet today... ) so I don't know yet how that will go)...
I'm still thinking about all the things everyone said ... but just quickly I want to answer to everyone:

@Musicluvr
Yes I will try to play as much as I can with the silent pedal, thank you very much for your nice wishes!

@m1469
Well that wouldn't really be possible to buy a digital piano and not sell this one... and to sell this one... I don't know I can't even think about it... it just means really a lot to me I was sooo happy when I got it... I don't know  I'm thinking about if I could practice somewhere else at least on some days...
I'm not sure about the concert... I mean this people are really sad and mean... it's like the lady downstairs had like 3 husbands (well I don't think she was married to all of them) and they all ran away from her and her daughter did too... and the next door neighbour's wife ran away too and she told my mum he was really mean to her and she was really afraid of him so she ran away secretly... so they're kinda scary people  so I don't think they would come to the concert even if we invited them. But that about the duet with her broomstick was really funny  It made me laugh even though I was sad thanks! 

@Gradedpiano
I don't have a digital piano I have an acoustic one so I can't use headphones... You're lucky to have such cool neighbours!  Thanks for the comment!

@Quantum
Thank you! I will keep playing... somehow

@Stevebob
Well the police officer said that I can play piano... he just said that the next door neighbour complained that he couldn't watch the news on TV because I was playing exactly when he wanted to watch the news... so I do have a right to play the piano... I wasn't playing at the wrong times or anything... Yes I think that is a good idea about asking the neighbours about the times, I was thinking about it but it does scare me a little to talk to those people... but my dad said he would ask, so that would be better. Thank you for your great advise! 

@Becky
Thank you Becky! Yes that is so true! It's like if you're a kid noone takes you seriously and noone listens to you! Like nothing that you say or do or even feel matters! Grown ups are sometimes (too many times) like that... And if I tell you the truth Becky I was kinda jealous of you because I saw that people really take you seriously at least when it comes to music!  Yes I really hope my parents will help me with this! Or even my teacher ... I will ask people about this... I already talked to my mum yesterday and told her that it's really hard to practice like this... I hope we can figure out something! Thank you so much Becky for mentioning me in your prayers! You're really so nice! And I'm sorry for feeling a little jealous of you for a while! Thank you! 

@Bob
Thank you Bob! Yes that is a really good idea about the neighbours buying me a digital piano!  Well but only if they wouldn't expect me to never play the acoustic one again! I will see how it goes with the practicing today... and thanks for the advise about sound proofing the piano... we'll try something 

Well I think I wrote really a lot again!
Thank you so much to everyone! You are all sooo nice! 
I'll probably go practice soon... and I'll see what happens...
A really big Thank you!  from Littletune  

[eueueu91]

I would recommend you buy a digital piano, even if for that you have to sell your "real" one. I have a Korg sp250 which costs, in the US, about $700 (which is very little compared to what I paid in this damned land of Brazil - taxes and more taxes) and it is more than decent. For about $1000 I'm sure you can buy a very very good one that beats most uprights (or kind of).

[m1469]

Hi Littletune, let us know how it goes!

[littletune]

@Eueueu: thanks for the comment!  Well right now I can't really imagine selling my piano... it just seems like it was meant for me...  I mean I know I get a little too attached to things... but well I will remember your advise about the digital piano. Thanks!

Thank you m1469 for caring about how it goes!!...
well, yesterday I was practicing mostly with the silent pedal, I only played two pieces and the Sonatina (the one I'll play in my recital next Saturday) about three times without the silent pedal... and noone complained... but I guess that doesn't really mean anything... I don't know...
Actually my mum says she wants to move... she says that she can't take all this anymore and that she just wants to move... and she found some places already were we could move... and maybe they'll even go see one place today with my dad... she's really serious about it!  I'm not sure if I should be excited about it or sad... because I have been living here since I was born... well I mean even before I was born I guess and it just feels like there's like our energy and memories all over this apartment and everywhere around and it seems so weird that we would just go away and never see this place again...    but I guess still better than selling my piano or not playing at all! So well... that's kinda what's new..... 

Oh and I also wanted to say that I didn't think ALL adults were like that they wouldn't take kids seriously... there are some really cool adults who take kids seriously too   I think here on Pianostreet there are quite a few really cool adults  that's why I like it so much here! 

Thanks again! 

[pianowolfi]

I think to move is the only solution in the long run. I couldn't live like that either. Thanks god your parents start to think about it.
Where I live musicians use to move around until they find a place where they really can practice.

[littletune]

Thanks for the comment Wolfi! Yes I know I guess we'll really have to move... I just feel like I will really miss this place where we live now... but well I guess you can't stay in one place for ever... My mum was showing me pictures of those places and it looks really cool
Well today noone complained about my practicing either... but I only played without the silent pedal for 15 minutes...

[zeusje]

Hi there,

maybe it is a good idea indeed to move. I guess only a few people or noone would be able to stand people annoying you like that. I am quite lucky, most of my neighbours have only been giving me compliments about my playing, and only lately the neighbour from downstairs came to see if we could make an arrangment on the times that I play, so I stop at 22:00 so he can get some sleep Which makes sense to me.

A former teacher of mine moved to a living boat in the Amsterdam canals, for the about same reason as you mention.

Hang in there!

[m1469]

Honestly, the neighbors and all is one thing.  I understand that that is perhaps annoying.  To me, the biggest problem is the fact that the whole thing is causing problems within your own family, that is especially what I would say is the tricky part, because it's right inside of your direct environment, and that along with everything you feel is surrounding you.  Don't you think you would feel quite differently if your Dad said "Well, this is silly.  Littletune has every right to practice" and then marched around figuring out what needs to take place in order for that to happen?  Even if that didn't change how the neighbors acted?  

So, yes, it's one thing to move, but it's another thing to have there be support and harmony about your progress inside of your own home.  Perhaps that's something you can talk with your teacher about, and if there is an adult you can turn to about something like this, it's obviously a huge plus if that is your teacher.  If it were a student of mine, it would matter very much to me and I would happily talk to parents on behalf of my student.  Most of the time, I understand an individual's need for music better than a parent does, even though parents play an irreplaceable role in their children's lives and I am aware of that.

[Bob]

I guess someone could point out to the neighbors that if they don't like the rules, they could move too.  They are the ones with the problem.  They're just passing it along to you.

[littletune]

Hi Zeusje Thank you for your nice comment!  I wish our neighbours would say at what times they prefered that I play piano too... instead of saying it to the police!  Oh well... Hmm I love being on a boat... I'll suggest that to my parents   

@m1469 I know that's not so great... I mean my mum and dad were arguing about the piano and music school even before the neighbours started with all this...  I mean it's not that my dad wouldn't like music or that me practicing would bother him... it's just that he thinks playing piano and music is just for fun in free time, kinda the same as watching TV  and he thinks it's stupid that my mum is paying for my music school and especially he thinks that buying me a piano was the stupidest thing my mum ever did... and whenever my mum has some problems with money he starts talking about that and saying she shouldn't have bought a piano and that I shouldn't be having piano lessons... and he also thinks I would be doing more for school if I wasn't playing piano and he also thinks we are just a weird family (not like all the normal people)... Well but now he said he would ask the next door neighbour what was bothering him and why he never said anything about it....  he said he would ask him about it when he meets him next time. And he just said that day that I shouldn't be practicing in the afternoon and then he didn't say anything about it... and he said that we (me and my mum) shouldn't worry so much about the neighbours that it's not such a big deal... but it kinda is for me... because I don't feel so good about practicing anymore... I mean I have been practicing every day for 1 and a half to 2 hours anyway but only 15 minutes of that without the silent pedal because I just don't feel so very great... and I kinda have to force myself a little to start practicing... I will tell my teacher about it next week... and we'll see  thanks

@Bob that would be great if someone pointed that out to the neighbours! and it would be even greater if they really moved!!!    

@Lostinidlewonder yes my mum and me were actually joking about that how we would go down and ring her doorbell and ask her if she wanted to buy some toys  I would really want to know what she would do... but I wouldn't dare doing that!

Thanks evryone for the comments! 

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Aw I'm sorry this is happening to you. I can just imagine how difficult it would be to practise in such an environment.
I don't have much advice, but I'm sure you will be able to get through this and keep practising.. you know that quote "when there's a will there's a way?" You seem to care about music very much, so just be persistent about it. 

If it makes you feel better, I can kind of relate to how you feel. My neighbours weren't too thrilled about my piano practising either... then I invited them to one of my recitals and they complimented me on my playing, haha. I haven't received any complaints from then on...
Also, about your family, I can also kind of relate to that. Whenever I'm stressed out because of school work, or have a lot of homework, piano takes the blame. "You would have a lot of free time if you quit piano..."  "Most high school students don't play piano anymore"... "You could be doing extra math practise instead of playing piano" etc.
 Sometimes I can't practise in peace when my parents are home because I'm afraid they'll say that I've been practising too long (anything over an hour is "too long"). Most parents tell their kids to stop playing video games, my parents tell me to stop playing piano. Like your parents, they aren't against music, they just feel like its not very important (because I'm not going to make a career out of it). I'm sure your dad doesn't mean to upset you, I know my parents only do this because they want the best for me, and don't really understand how music is not the same as playing computer or video games or watching TV.

Anyway, I know I didn't give much advice, but I hope my post accomplished something... 
and I hope you find a solution to your problems and will be able to enjoy your music

[zeusje]

Hi thinkgreenlovepiano

What you tell I've unfortunatly been through that somewhat. I started pretty late with piano (at 16, 17 maybe), but I was so overly enthousiast, and wanted to play all the time. And then you live in a house where people give you the feeling that they rather not have you play because of all this nonsense day to day buisness of housekeeping. I lived with fosterparents back then, I still am grieved about that time. Now I am 35 and am finally settled a little bit, and have some money and bought me a good piano... so I made it, and there is no way that any neighbour or whoever will ever take piano playing away from me...

Hope you will find a way.....

[oxy60]

Littletune, your neighbors should be thankful you are not learning tuba! I must say my neighbors put with a lot. Back then everything was acoustic. It took endless repetitions to learn complicated passages on my tuba. Thankfully no one ever complained.

These days it seems everyone is spending more and more time at home. Sometimes I wonder if everyone is on welfare. For musicians it is a nightmare trying to find a time when people are not home and we can cut loose.

I passed up a beautiful Baldwin Spinet that I could have had for free and spent about $1000 on a digital set up. After looking at my time schedule and the hours the "home bodies" sat inside I couldn't find slots of enough length to practice meaningfully.

I join the other posters in wishing you well in trying to find a solution but I am pessimistic. All the same GOOD LUCK!

[littletune]

Hi Thinkgreenlovepiano! Your post was very great and nice!  Thank you very much! Yes I guess that with inviting neighbours to the recital is a good idea... but with our neighbours    ... I don't know... 
And yes I know my dad only wants the best for me, he just doesn't understand... I mean it's funny because he was all happy about buying me a TV and things like that but he thinks piano is the stupidest thing my mum ever bought... I mean I know piano costs a lot more than a TV but anyway... and it's like he never asks me how much i pracitce piano but he does ask me if I watch TV... and then I say no I don't have time to watch TV and he's like all surprised    well I guess it's just that he just doesn't understand... Thank you for you comment!

Thank you Oxy for your good luck wishes! well a few years ago there was someone practicing a trumpet (I think) for a few years somewhere around here... but I don't know if anyone complained about it... but one very nice neighbour from about two floors downstairs said her daughter was practicing a flute (a long time ago) and noone ever complained... that lady is sooo nice, she came to say hi to my parents yesterday, she didn't say or ask anything about the problems that we have, but my mum says she probably knows about it and wanted to be nice (and her husband is a retired policeman too and they're both very nice) ... so we do have some nice neighbours too! 

Oh but the lady from downstairs was banging on the ceiling again today at 7 am... just because my mum was really late and she put down on the floor something not so carefully so it made a little noise and I guess that was just too much for that lady... I think she is just listening and waiting when she will hear something... even though I hear noise from other apatments all the time too... but she says she just KNOWS we're the only ones making noise!  Oh well...

Thanks again! 

[countrymath]

I think you should murder your neighbours.

Joke.

I know how you are feelling. My father says that i should hang out with friends, drink some alcohol (had to type this 5 times to get it right) and come back home in late evening instead of studying music.

[littletune]

Hi  Countrymath! Thanks for your comment... No I wouldn't be murdering my neighbours no!  


Really? so there are other dads who think playing piano is not normal? Oh well  
Thanks  

[zeusje]

Hmmm,

watch this, this seems to be on topic here, and it is very funny:

[ Invalid YouTube link ]t=444s


you can also watch the whole episode, its about piano....

[Bob]

Perhaps zeusje could smote them?

[uthacalthing]

I remember wanting to learn to play the piano since I was 4 or 5. There were no musical instruments at home, and we didn’t get out much back then — I must have watched someone play on TV. It was my original, first obsession. I was the opposite of a child prodigy, in that I spent years pestering my parents to buy a piano and find me a teacher, while my father told me it was a “waste of time” and that I would have become unemployed as a consequence. My father was especially against it, and my mother went along with him after initially agreeing to send me to a school.

In primary school, I taught myself to read music. Since I had no piano, I became very good at “hearing” scores in my head (to this day it’s what I’m best at). I’d draw keys on a piece of paper and imagine the sounds. I’ve memorised a lot that way.

Fast forward twelve years or so. At 18 I finally bought a piano. Practicing at home was still very difficult, because arguments would flare up at the sound of a single note (apparently it’d prevent my father from following TV). I studied one year with a teacher, then got discouraged as everyone told me I was too old to begin. I left home for college, and left the piano behind.

Now I’m 35, have a successful career and a wonderful family, but if I have one regret in life, it would be not having learned to play the piano properly. All this came back to me reading this forum and as I took my 2-year-old son to see the grandparents.

Sorry Littletune if this is not a direct answer to what you wrote. But if there is a morale to my story, it would be that your passions make you who you are. You cannot avoid being yourself even if you try. So never forget that, even as you try to survive in a world that sometimes doesn’t seem to understand.

By the way, I have learned so much in the past two weeks by just browsing through this forum that I felt compelled to join. There’s a number of people here who not only play really well, but who are also very helpful. A great find.

[gradedpiano]

hi littletune, i think moving would be te best thing and i think its great that your parents are looking for new places, they must really value your opinion and believe truly that you have geat talent. I really hope it goes ok for you.

[countrymath]

Moving? lol.

Buying a digital piano sounds cheaper

[littletune]

Thanks again to everyone!

@Zeusje Thanks!
@Bob what's "smote them" ?   

@Uthacalthing
Thank you very much for your comment!  Yes I think it's really important to be yourself too even though it's not always easy... I'm sorry you couldn't learn piano when you wished to so much... maybe you can learn it now... there's a lot of people of all ages here who just started learning piano! Thanks for telling me your story! and reminding me that it's the most important to be yourself!  And welcome to Pianostreet! I think it's really great too! And there are a lot of cool people here!!   

@Gradedpiano
Thank you very much for your very nice words and wishes!

Oh Countrymath, well I guess it's not only about the piano it's also that the downstairs neighbour is saying we're making noise ALL the time all days and nights and she's making up some crazy stories about us and all that... so with her it's not just about the piano I guess... it's everything, but the piano just makes her even more angry I guess...

Thanks  

[evannn]

Yeah, I think a digital piano is the best bet. My dad got me an almost full-sized digital piano for free off someone from work, and at night I just stick my headphones in and play it since I rarely have time to practice during day, and night time is obviously a bad time to play.

Should be pretty cheap to get one. Won't be as good, but then you can get one that you can play with all the other little features eletric keyboards have

But don't stop playing your normal piano, if your legally allowed to play the normal piano, then play that, just perhaps do any practicing on an electric piano

Evan.

[littletune]

Hi Evan Thank you for your comment! I guess I could make a poll about who thinks we should move and who thinks we should buy a digital piano      Well I guess we'll see... I really don't know yet. I just know I really wouldn't want to sell my acoustic piano! Thanks! 

[oxy60]

Looking for a new house?

Tell your parents to be careful about who will be the new neighbors. Don't move to a retirement neighborhood. That's your problem now. Everyone is home ALL the time. I'm guessing it's cold there now and hardly any older people will go out.

The ideal would be a building where your close neighbors all work normal hours, not shift work and no day sleepers. If your buffer zone is one apartment thick on all sides you should be alright with practicing after school and stopping by 1800.

[countrymath]

Oh Countrymath, well I guess it's not only about the piano it's also that the downstairs neighbour is saying we're making noise ALL the time all days and nights and she's making up some crazy stories about us and all that... so with her it's not just about the piano I guess... it's everything, but the piano just makes her even more angry I guess...

Thanks  

Then you should turn the "Ingnore" button on.

[littletune]

Hi Oxy!  yes my mum says she really wants to move... and this is what she likes the most


These houses were just built... (6 houses in the middle) so it's a new neighbourhood... and it's a little out of the city but I like the nature around And well in each house there are 6 apartments so we would have to ask the neighbours if the piano would bother them... but it's possible to only rent an apartment first for a few months or even a year and then you can decide if you want to buy it or not... so I don't know yet how my parents will decide. Thanks for the comment

Then you should turn the "Ingnore" button on.

  Yes that's true. I guess we should! 

[keyboardclass]

Make a celeste rail which is a piece of felt tacked to a stick the length of the action - the felt hangs between the hammers and strings.  Mine's more or less on permanently cause it's silent all day in my block and I'd hate to be the one who broke that!  Also I practice clavichord.

[oxy60]

What a nice setting! (Did you notice the photo chopper's shadow in the lower left corner?)

It will all depend on the neighbors. It's very hopeful because new construction attracts younger people, who work during the day.

That is a very helpful suggestion with the felt rail.

[Bob]

Your neighbors can always change though too.

[littletune]

@Keyboardclass
Thank you for the advice! I'm not sure if I would know how to do that right, and my parents aren't that practical either    but I guess we could ask someone. Thank you

@Oxy
yes I saw that, I just wasn't completely sure first if it was the chopper's shadow or something else... it's cool! 

@Bob
yes I know they can change... but here I'm pretty sure they won't.     

[doryanne]

@littletune
I wish you to overcome these problems, in one way or another, to get to practise as much as you want and to become a great, famous piano player! And when you do, make your website and put this story there, so that all those who will read it will know that if you really love piano, the mean and narrow-minded people have no chance! 

@uthacalthing
I started to learn piano from scratch at 30. I am 32 now and I am doing pretty well, in fact I am doing unexpectedly well  So, it is not too late. Maybe you will not be a professional, but you will have a huge satisfaction, trust me! 

[littletune]

Hi Doryanne! Thank you very much for your comment! That's a really cool and inspiring thing that you said!  Thanks for your nice wishes!! 

[jimbo320]

Littletune,
If I was in your situation it would seem the only way around it would be to play a digital with it's own built in sound system that has headphone capability. Maybe not the ideal instrument but until you move how else you going keep your a--h--e neighbors quiet.....

[gradedpiano]

just think of it lie this, if it was me having the same problems you are what advice would you give me?

[littletune]

Littletune,
If I was in your situation it would seem the only way around it would be to play a digital with it's own built in sound system that has headphone capability. Maybe not the ideal instrument but until you move how else you going keep your a--h--e neighbors quiet.....

Yes that is true. Although it kinda doesn't seem right to let the neighbours win! I mean I do have a right to practice piano! So it just doesn't seem fair    oh I don't know... I mean I play with a silent pedal almost all the time and I also have a small keyboard that has headphones too, so I practice on that one too now... it's not really like a piano (it doesn't have weighted keys at all and they feel differently than piano keys and it has only 5 octaves... but still better than nothing). But I wouldn't mind getting a digital piano (without having to sell the acoustic one  ), but I won't completely stop playing the acoustic one too... Thanks for the comment! 

just think of it lie this, if it was me having the same problems you are what advice would you give me?

Hmm... I think I would first say try talking to the neighbours... and if that wouldn't be possible, like if they were too crazy  I guess I would say try to move (cause it's hard to live with people like that even if you don't play piano  )... I guess

Oh the crazy lady is now banging all the time at all weird hours when everything seems completely quiet (and when we're sleeping too!) ...
And my dad met the next door neighbour today but he didn't ask him anything!!  Because the neighbour started talking about the weather when he was still far away and then my dad didn't want to say anything... oh well... 

[countrymath]

I still think you should murder them.

[1plus]

I was in the same situation last year, my neighbour knock at my wall (his husky barks at midnight and i said nothing..) Then the police come to clarify that the "noise"is allowed until 9pm, althoug my neighbour still like to yelling on me now..
I think you can certainly find some specifications on this kind of situation about the permit of sound(even khz..)
Best luck~

[uthacalthing]

Another possible compromise would be to find a practice / rehearsal room somewhere not too far from where you live. It’s cheaper than buying a digital piano, and you get to focus. It’s sort of like going to the gym. When you’re paying by the hour you have an extra incentive to practice in an efficient way.  I used to love our practice room when I was an undergraduate, only time in my life I ever practiced on a concert grand. Something to look forward to every day.

@Doryanne: Thank you! Will do that. It’s either now or never….

[soitainly]

 There is difference between what is legal and what is "right". Civilization is about making compromises to get along with our neighbors, laws just help define the boundaries of what is acceptable. Many people have suggested a digital piano and I think as well that that is the best option. Moving is a bit extreme and may not solve the problem, what if your new nieghbors don't like the piano either.

 I have lived in apartments since college and I have to say noise is a constant annoyance. You have to become used to quite a bit of distractions, luckily I have not had complaints about my music, but I know that my neighbors can hear some of it. It sounds like the guy banging on the walls is a jerk, but your piano playing may really bother him. I think a digital piano is a fair compromise.

[littletune]

@1plus
Thanks for the comment I'm sorry about your neighbour too! Thanks for good luck wishes I wish you good luck with your neighbour too! 

@Uthacalthing
Yes I think that would be really great if I could sometimes practice somewhere else in peace... I was thinking about it already... but this week I was sick so I couldn't ask anyone (like my teacher) about it... but I will next week Thanks!

@Soitainly
Thanks for the comment Well... it's like... some of our neighbours are a little crazy (specially the one downstairs). So we can never really do anything right with her! I think it's really important to try to be nice to other people and I always try to be nice and do things so that I wouldn't bother others... I'm usually thinking even too much about others! But these neighbours really don't have a right to be annoyed anymore! If they can't talk normally and ask us and tell us nicely what they want... then they can't expect us to guess what they want and what they have in their crazy head! The crazy woman who is banging is usually not even banging because of the piano, she is banging just like that for no reason, when everything is silent... and she's making up crazy stories about us... and the next door neighbour is a coward who doesn't say anything to us but then he goes and complains to the police! But I am thinking it would be good to have a digital piano (besides this one), not so I wouldn't annoy them but so they wouldn't annoy me with their ugly mean crazy energy that they're sending around. I know it might seem extreme to move... but it's not just about the piano it's about mean and crazy people that are just looking for something to complain about and to be annoyed by something and to find something wrong with everything! That's what's really annoying... we're not really bothering anyone! They are bothering us!   

[ongaku_oniko]

I didn't read any of the responses or even finish reading your post, so sorry if this advice is not applicable and/or suggested.

1. Can you talk with your neighbours? Ask them why they hate it so much, and ask for a compromise.

2. Following the first one, try to give them a time schedule. Say you'll only play from 5pm-8pm or something.

3. Play with the middle pedal. That way it's a lot softer.

4. Find a community centre or something else with a piano and practise there.

Hope your problem gets solved!