How can I practice piano like this?

[monkeydudexd]

aw man, it kills me to hear this i'm sure you're very talented, i never realized people could be such *bleep*. these people obviously don't appreciate what hard work and passion mean to you. i mean, you should have to move at all, especially if you're only practicing for an hour or two. the best solution i can think of is either a dampener for your piano (like a cover or something? depends if you have an upright or a grand), a digital keyboard (... i know this isn't what you want to hear), or practice at school or something. ahh it's hard to give you advice because it's wrong for you to be in this situation in the first place. just want to let you know that all of pianostreet is behind you, don't lose your passion for piano because of some stupid fail-of-a-cop who would rather listen to the NEWS than MUSIC.

[ongaku_oniko]

Oh, but just so you know, way back in the days, when most of China was even poorer than they are now, and 99% of the people have never heard of a thing called a piano, my grandparents' friend's child was learning the piano, since his mother knew music, since her father was the head of a music school before Mao took over and mercilessly took down the upper class.

Anyway, he was learning piano from his mother, except there was one little problem: They don't have enough money to buy a piano!

So how did he learn? Since he began when he was like 4-5 years old, until well into his teens, he never touched a real piano. His parents carved a keyboard out of a piece of wood for him to play on. Of course, you can't actually press down the carved keys, and you can't hear a sound either.


Fast forward to the present, people are slightly richer now, and his family is able to afford a piano. He now plays beautifully, and he easily passed the highest exams for piano in China.

So point is, even if you have a difficult situation, as long as you don't give up and work hard, you can succeed. Good Luck

[soitainly]

 Ok, so it sounds like it has moved beyond just a piano noise thing. Moving might be the best option. I would make it clear with the manager why you are moving and the behavior the crazy nieghbor has shown towards you. If she is acting like that to other nieghbors, then the ownership may realize it is bad for business. they may not have rights to force them to move , but can raise thier rent till they chose too.

 If you do move to another apartment, I still would consider a digital piano if you can afford it, no reason to annoy your new neighbors. Remember that in dense urban environments, there may be people that work at home, or work odd hours, it's best to show as much consideration as possible. That doesn't mean you can't play music, just do your best to be a good nieghbor

[jimbo320]

Just get a digital and, as the Italians say, forget about it......

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Oh, but just so you know, way back in the days, when most of China was even poorer than they are now, and 99% of the people have never heard of a thing called a piano, my grandparents' friend's child was learning the piano, since his mother knew music, since her father was the head of a music school before Mao took over and mercilessly took down the upper class.

Anyway, he was learning piano from his mother, except there was one little problem: They don't have enough money to buy a piano!

So how did he learn? Since he began when he was like 4-5 years old, until well into his teens, he never touched a real piano. His parents carved a keyboard out of a piece of wood for him to play on. Of course, you can't actually press down the carved keys, and you can't hear a sound either.


Fast forward to the present, people are slightly richer now, and his family is able to afford a piano. He now plays beautifully, and he easily passed the highest exams for piano in China.

So point is, even if you have a difficult situation, as long as you don't give up and work hard, you can succeed. Good Luck

wow what a story!!

[lostprophet]

cool story bro 

I can't believe they would do that to you. If it makes your hands shake when you play and they bang on the wall, wouldn't it be good practice to learn to play perfectly even while they bang on the wall? I guess you need to be able to concentrate when you're learning though, can you hit the keys more softly when you're learning, then go all out when practicing?

I'm so glad I live in the middle of a vineyard, I can almost be as loud as I want 

You need to think about splitting your paragraphs properly if you're going to write that much btw, it's daunting seeing writing like that.

[oxy60]

You need to think about splitting your paragraphs properly if you're going to write that much btw, it's daunting seeing writing like that.

Let's cut the writer a little slack. For many of the people on this board, English is a second language.

[littletune]

HI everyone
Thank you for all your comments and suggestions! It's nice to know that people want to help and care about my problems! 

@Ongaku_oniko
Thank you for all the great suggestions! And that story is really great! I guess when someone really wants to do something they find a way no matter how difficult it is! thanks for your good luck wishes too! 

@Monkeydudexd
Thank you! Well I don't know if I'm that talented but I do LOVE playing piano indescribably!  Thank you for all your suggestions (I have an upright piano). And thank you very much for your encouraging words!

@Soitainly
Thank you for trying to help me find the right solutions!  Well we don't really have a manager... it's our apartment... we own it, but unfortunately our crazy neighbours own their apartments too... so they don't have to pay the rent... but I hope other neighbours will see that the dowstairs neighbour is just crazy and I hope the police knows it too!!! Thank you for the advice!

@Jimbo320
Well it would be good I guess to get the digital piano for practicing yes but I sure don't want to give up and forget about this acoustic one that I have!    Thanks!

@Lostprophet
Thank you for your comment I guess I could use this as practice... so I would learn how to play with shaking hands or how to make my hands not shake at all  And I do play very softly and quietly when I'm just learning new pieces and I'm playing with the silent pedal a lot

@Oxy60
Well I think I always write like this (without splitting paragraphs very much) Even in my language... I don't know I just forget about it    But thanks Oxy

[noon]

Well, did you ever thought to have a digital piano so you can practice all day long and nobody will hear a thing since  you  wearing headphones. Learn the piece,  work on technik and when  it will come to the sound play on the piano, so it will not be  so often and everybody will be happy. It is very common situation since you live in appartment. I 'm giving the same advice to my students. Be positive. As you can see there is always solution. Don't give up!

[littletune]

Hi Noon! Yes I have thought about it... actually I am now practicing a lot on my little keyboard (which is of course not the same as piano, but well...) and then when I can play the pieces a little better I play them on my piano with a silent pedal, and I only play the pieces that I play kinda well already on my piano without the silent pedal (for only 15 to 30 minutes). So I really don't think this could bother anyone! But yes it would be good to have a digital piano instead of the little keyboard. Thank you for your encouraging comment!

[jimbo320]

I don't understand why all the fuss. Just get a digital with headphone capability and deal with the difference in keyboards......

[ongaku_oniko]

Well, for one, I think most people wouldn't be willing to pay for another piano, especially for an inferior one, when there's no reason they shouldn't be able to play on the good piano in the first place.

[jimbo320]

Ouch!

[ch101]

You have your own rights. Stick to it and hopefully everything will work out. My neighbours sometimes complain because I play at 7:30 p.m. and that is about the time when I am about to wrap up. I am 11 and my neighbours are screaming at me at the top of their lungs for me to stop playing Rach at 7 o'clock.
It might be hard for a while, but in the end your neighbours will just have to live with it. I mean, practicing your piano is not against the law, so why do you worry? They can do nothing about it. And keep getting better so then you can prove your neighbours wrong.

                                                                                           HH

[lostprophet]

Noise polution is against the law (at least, it is in my country). If it isn't, the only problem would be the distractions from them banging on the damn wall.

[ongaku_oniko]

I have an idea:

You should call the cops!

Say OMG, my Neighbours must have hired a bunch of kids to make toys illegally for them. They're banging on the walls like crazy, and when they're watching TV they're so loud! I can't concentrate on my piano playing or homework or anything!

[littletune]

Hi everyone and thank you all for all the comments

@Jimbo
Well it's not that I would think a digital piano is so bad or anything... I was sure I would get a digital piano (last year when my mum was looking for a piano that she could buy for me), but then it just so happened that I got an acoustic piano and I was so happy and I love my piano so much and that's why I can't even think about giving it up and getting another one. And especially because I have a right to practice piano during the day! But if I could somehow get enough money I would probably buy a digital piano too so I could practice any time I wanted

@Ch101
Thank you for the comment and for the encouraging words I wish you good luck with your neighbours and playing the piano too!

@Lostprophet
Well baning on the wall is a little distracting...  but since then they haven't been banging on walls while I'm playing piano...  They're just banging at some weird times for no reason (at least we usually have no idea why  ) so that's better... I don't care if they're waking me up at 5 am just as long as they don't bang on walls while I'm practicing 

@Ongaku_oniko
  Yes I guess I could do that... I mean if they're making up some crazy stories why couldn't we do that too 

Well actually now I even practice more than I used to But not on the piano...(I just practice on the piano about an hour a day) but I practice really a lot on my keyboard... and I know that's not the same as practicing on piano (cause it doesn't have piano keys and only has 5 octaves) but it's still good for practicing some new pieces or practicing some difficult parts of some pieces and things like that... so now if I count practicing on my keyboard I practice about 2 to 3 hours a day!   

Thanks again to everyone! 

[altrent]

What an utter lack of respect from you and some of the posters.
I am sorry, but your neighbors don't have to listen to you practicing piano.
They have the right to peacefully enjoy their property.
If you absolutely do not want to trade your acoustic for a digital piano, then move to a single house where you won't annoy anyone else.
Even if the sound of an acoustic is not loud, the vibrations caused by the keys action can be annoying (especially under your apartment).

[ongaku_oniko]

What an utter lack of respect from you and some of the posters.
I am sorry, but your neighbors don't have to listen to you practicing piano.
They have the right to peacefully enjoy their property.
If you absolutely do not want to trade your acoustic for a digital piano, then move to a single house where you won't annoy anyone else.
Even if the sound of an acoustic is not loud, the vibrations caused by the keys action can be annoying (especially under your apartment).

I disagree.

At first glance, what you said seems logical, but a take a closer look and you'll realize that that's BS.

Saying that is like saying: "don't drive in front of my house, I have the right to peacefully enjoy my property and not hear the sounds your car makes and breathe in the pollutants."

The fact is, we live in a society where there are people. As such, there will always be conflicts, and it doesn't make sense that only one side has to compromise. Sure, the neighbors have the right to enjoy their property, but so does littletune have the right to enjoy his piano. Littletune shouldn't have to completely sacrifice his own right for the neighbour. They should try to come to a compromise. And it seems littletune has tried to compromise a lot, yet the neighbours are still being assholes.

[bustthewave]

I disagree.

At first glance, what you said seems logical, but a take a closer look and you'll realize that that's BS.

Saying that is like saying: "don't drive in front of my house, I have the right to peacefully enjoy my property and not hear the sounds your car makes and breathe in the pollutants."

The fact is, we live in a society where there are people. As such, there will always be conflicts, and it doesn't make sense that only one side has to compromise. Sure, the neighbors have the right to enjoy their property, but so does littletune have the right to enjoy his piano. Littletune shouldn't have to completely sacrifice his own right for the neighbour. They should try to come to a compromise. And it seems littletune has tried to compromise a lot, yet the neighbours are still being assholes.

Yea I completely agree with this.

I can hear my neighbors above me. I'm not talking like... wild parties and bass, I'm talking phone conversations, toilet flushing, cabinets opening and closing, dishwashers, washer and dryer...

But really, I can't fault them for living their life. If it WERE wild parties, I would only put up with it until midnight on a friday or saturday (because that's reasonable, and because they have a right to a party). But because these things have no happened, I will not complain and instead find another way to cope.

Here's the deal, people have to live in tight quarters with one another, that's the price we paid when we decided to create societies as a spciese. So the neighbors, and this awesome littletune, just need to come to an agreement where littletune can practice her piano for a solid 3 hours most days, and where she disturbs her neighbors the least. Any less than that compromise, and the neighbors are being absolutely rediculous. If the neighbors can't stand noise, than why are THEY the ones living in an apartment? Littletune isn't calling the cops over wall banging is she?

So cheers littletune, you keep practicing and doing what you are doing! Don't let your neighbors get you down!

and P.S. - Why is your first post on these boards going to be something relatively abrasive? Not even an introduction? Really? Rlllly? (this is meant at alltrent)

[allthumbspiano]

What an utter lack of respect from you and some of the posters.
I am sorry, but your neighbors don't have to listen to you practicing piano.
They have the right to peacefully enjoy their property.
If you absolutely do not want to trade your acoustic for a digital piano, then move to a single house where you won't annoy anyone else.
Even if the sound of an acoustic is not loud, the vibrations caused by the keys action can be annoying (especially under your apartment).

It depends on where you live, it is not actually a right though no matter what way you put it.

[littletune]

Hello Altrent! Well I guess it's always interesting to hear a different opinion (specially because our neighbours don't really want to talk to us).
I don't know if you read everything I wrote, because I know I wrote really a lot and sometimes I don't explain everything so clearly (sorry about that!)... But I can tell you that I am not disrespectful at all and neither are my parents! We're like just the oposite of disrespectful and people have told us a lot of times that we think too much about others and always try helping others and not thinking enough about ourselves... so it's kinda funny to hear someone say we're disrespectful!

We are living in an apartment building with a lot of people in it and with even more people living in other apartment buildings all around... so if you're living here you can't really expect everything to be quiet! If you have hundreds of people living in a small space you have to accept that there will also be some noise during the day (and sometimes even at night!)
So with all the noise here like people shouting, little kids screaming, babies crying, dogs barking, birds singing, cars and motorbikes driving, airplanes flying, some sounds from the train station, people slamming doors and windows, people vacuum cleaning, people renovating their apartments and drilling and moving heavy things, running, jumping... people having parties, listening to loud music and TV... with all this going on (during the day and sometimes even during the night) you are saying that me practicing that half an hour to 1 hour a day piano is so very annoying and disrespectful and disturbing that it makes it impossible for people to enjoy their property??  Really??!

When the policeman told my mum that our next door neighbour had complained about me playing piano at the time when he watched the news I changed the time of practining piano right away!! Even though it didn't seem right that the neighbour NEVER said anything to us (even though we meet a lot of times) but he rather said it to the police. But I changed the time anyway and since then I always practice earlier so that I stop before the time when the neighbour watches the news and I have never since then touched one piano key during that time! And I didn't have to change it! But I did, just so that the neighbour can enjoy watching the news. So how is that an utter lack of recpect if I may ask?? And I also play loudly only the pieces that I'm not playing so very badly anymore, so that I wouldn't be bothering the neighbours so much.
But then our neighbours really don't seem very respectful towards us! I mean the next door neighbour could have told us what was bothering him and asked us nicely to change something about it. But he didn't! He rather told it to the police! And I better not even start talking about the dowstairs neighbour who is banging at all hours whenever she thinks she hears something, even late at night and early in the morning waking us up! And writing letters for all other neighbours to see about how horrible we are and making up some completely untrue stories about us and shouting out the window at my mum at 7 am.! So does this seem very respectful??  I really don't think so!
And all this didn't start because of the piano! It started a lot before! These people are not really bothered by that hour of piano playing! They are very sad, angry and unhappy people who are just looking for something to complain about! They don't even want to talk about it, they don't want to try to find a solution! They just want to complain!
But if you still think we are so very disrespectful then please explain it a little better and try to prove me wrong...
Thank you!

And thank you very much to all the people who also commented and wrote some very nice and encouraing things!  And who don't think I am being disrespectful! Thanks 

[bustthewave]

Hello Altrent! Well I guess it's always interesting to hear a different opinion (specially because our neighbours don't really want to talk to us).
I don't know if you read everything I wrote, because I know I wrote really a lot and sometimes I don't explain everything so clearly (sorry about that!)... But I can tell you that I am not disrespectful at all and neither are my parents! We're like just the oposite of disrespectful and people have told us a lot of times that we think too much about others and always try helping others and not thinking enough about ourselves... so it's kinda funny to hear someone say we're disrespectful!

We are living in an apartment building with a lot of people in it and with even more people living in other apartment buildings all around... so if you're living here you can't really expect everything to be quiet! If you have hundreds of people living in a small space you have to accept that there will also be some noise during the day (and sometimes even at night!)
So with all the noise here like people shouting, little kids screaming, babies crying, dogs barking, birds singing, cars and motorbikes driving, airplanes flying, some sounds from the train station, people slamming doors and windows, people vacuum cleaning, people renovating their apartments and drilling and moving heavy things, running, jumping... people having parties, listening to loud music and TV... with all this going on (during the day and sometimes even during the night) you are saying that me practicing that half an hour to 1 hour a day piano is so very annoying and disrespectful and disturbing that it makes it impossible for people to enjoy their property??  Really??!

When the policeman told my mum that our next door neighbour had complained about me playing piano at the time when he watched the news I changed the time of practining piano right away!! Even though it didn't seem right that the neighbour NEVER said anything to us (even though we meet a lot of times) but he rather said it to the police. But I changed the time anyway and since then I always practice earlier so that I stop before the time when the neighbour watches the news and I have never since then touched one piano key during that time! And I didn't have to change it! But I did, just so that the neighbour can enjoy watching the news. So how is that an utter lack of recpect if I may ask?? And I also play loudly only the pieces that I'm not playing so very badly anymore, so that I wouldn't be bothering the neighbours so much.
But then our neighbours really don't seem very respectful towards us! I mean the next door neighbour could have told us what was bothering him and asked us nicely to change something about it. But he didn't! He rather told it to the police! And I better not even start talking about the dowstairs neighbour who is banging at all hours whenever she thinks she hears something, even late at night and early in the morning waking us up! And writing letters for all other neighbours to see about how horrible we are and making up some completely untrue stories about us and shouting out the window at my mum at 7 am.! So does this seem very respectful??  I really don't think so!
And all this didn't start because of the piano! It started a lot before! These people are not really bothered by that hour of piano playing! They are very sad, angry and unhappy people who are just looking for something to complain about! They don't even want to talk about it, they don't want to try to find a solution! They just want to complain!
But if you still think we are so very disrespectful then please explain it a little better and try to prove me wrong...
Thank you!

And thank you very much to all the people who also commented and wrote some very nice and encouraing things!  And who don't think I am being disrespectful! Thanks 

Go get em tiger!

Keep doing what you are doing littletune, and never, ever, stop playing for anyone

[littletune]

Go get em tiger!

Keep doing what you are doing littletune, and never, ever, stop playing for anyone

  Thank you very much for your encouragement and support! 

[pianowolfi]

What an utter lack of respect from you and some of the posters.
I am sorry, but your neighbors don't have to listen to you practicing piano.
They have the right to peacefully enjoy their property.
If you absolutely do not want to trade your acoustic for a digital piano, then move to a single house where you won't annoy anyone else.
Even if the sound of an acoustic is not loud, the vibrations caused by the keys action can be annoying (especially under your apartment).

And for the purpose of writing this you have subscribed to a piano forum? Oh lol   Good luck, I guess you will soon get shred into pieces here!  

[pianisten1989]

I wish I could say that you should keep playing no matter what, but I don't think that will work. What if you and your parents go talk to them, and ask for some agreement that let you play some hours every day. just let them know that you are willing to maybe change a little for them, and they will, unless they are selfish bastards, probably let you play.

Just imagine being in their situation - someone play something over and over again, when all you want is some peace and quiet.
(I don't say you shouldn't, or that is something wrong with it, but some people might find it disturbing)

So go and talk to them, and maybe invite them next time you play.
To start a war against them wont solve anything.

Good luck

[littletune]

And for the purpose of writing this you have subscribed to a piano forum? Oh lol   Good luck, I guess you will soon get shred into pieces here!  

Well I don't know if they have subscribed to write this cause it says they have been a member since March 15 2008, but I guess they thought this was the only thing worth replying to in all those years and from ALL the topics on Pianostreet

[littletune]

I wish I could say that you should keep playing no matter what, but I don't think that will work. What if you and your parents go talk to them, and ask for some agreement that let you play some hours every day. just let them know that you are willing to maybe change a little for them, and they will, unless they are selfish bastards, probably let you play.

Just imagine being in their situation - someone play something over and over again, when all you want is some peace and quiet.
(I don't say you shouldn't, or that is something wrong with it, but some people might find it disturbing)

So go and talk to them, and maybe invite them next time you play.
To start a war against them wont solve anything.

Good luck

Thanks for your comment Pianisten! Yes I know talking about it would be the best thing... but the problem is that it is VERY difficult (or even impossible) to talk to our neighbours! The next door neighbour always acts as if everything was great and starts talking about the weather or something. And the dowstairs neighbour... well... the last time my mum talked to her she even said to my mum that she never complained about the piano... but that other people complained about it... and that what was bothering her was noise that we were making all days and nights... and then my mum asked her if she wasn't maybe hearing the noise from somewhere else, and she wouldn't even let my mum finish talking but she just said: no no I know EXACTLY  where the noise is coming from! So it's really hard to talk to people like that.
But no we sure don't want to start a war with them... that's why we're doing everything we can to be as quiet as possible in everything we do... but I guess it's not enough!  And I guess it never will be. That's why my mum really wants to move... Thank you very much for your good luck wishes! 

[altrent]

Hello Littletune,

It seems that you are contradicting yourself. You said "The neighbour that lives downstairs called them... I mean she was threatening to call them for a long time now...". So obviously you must have been aware about the situation before the police came.
The neighbors might not have come to speak "nicely" to you about the situation (not that they have to), but as you are the disturbing force here, you could have gone to talk to them proactively.
You also said "someone (i don't know which neighbour it was) started banging on the wall or ceiling like crazy... [snip] I just kept playing anyway..." I don't think your neighbors hit the walls for the fun of it. And your reaction wasn't really of a compromise either.

Again, buy a digital piano. It will allow you to enjoy your practicing, at any time of the day.
I love playing piano, and I sure hope you will find pleasure in it as well.

[pianisten1989]

Hello Littletune,

It seems that you are contradicting yourself. You said "The neighbour that lives downstairs called them... I mean she was threatening to call them for a long time now...". So obviously you must have been aware about the situation before the police came.
The neighbors might not have come to speak "nicely" to you about the situation (not that they have to), but as you are the disturbing force here, you could have gone to talk to them proactively.
You also said "someone (i don't know which neighbour it was) started banging on the wall or ceiling like crazy... [snip] I just kept playing anyway..." I don't think your neighbors hit the walls for the fun of it. And your reaction wasn't really of a compromise either.

Again, buy a digital piano. It will allow you to enjoy your practicing, at any time of the day.
I love playing piano, and I sure hope you will find pleasure in it as well.

Why should she suffer? Digital pianos is NOT potato/potato with a real one. How about you go talk to them, with your parents ofc, but you do the talking. Try telling them that you really need to practise, and ask when they don't mind you practising (early in the morning or late at night is often not so nice).
Try to charm them, or whatever, or typ to pu something under the piano, and something between the wall and piano.

[littletune]

Hello Littletune,

It seems that you are contradicting yourself. You said "The neighbour that lives downstairs called them... I mean she was threatening to call them for a long time now...". So obviously you must have been aware about the situation before the police came.
The neighbors might not have come to speak "nicely" to you about the situation (not that they have to), but as you are the disturbing force here, you could have gone to talk to them proactively.
You also said "someone (i don't know which neighbour it was) started banging on the wall or ceiling like crazy... [snip] I just kept playing anyway..." I don't think your neighbors hit the walls for the fun of it. And your reaction wasn't really of a compromise either.

Again, buy a digital piano. It will allow you to enjoy your practicing, at any time of the day.
I love playing piano, and I sure hope you will find pleasure in it as well.

Thanks! But I'm not sure how I was contradicting myself   Yes the downstairs neighbour was threatening to call the police for a long time! But NOT about the piano! She was threatening to call the police about the constant noise (days and nights) that we were supposed to be making! And as she said we were making all this noise because we were making some toys and then selling them illegally!   And that is of course completely untrue and we don't know how she even came up with this story! And we didn't know ANYTHING about the next door neighbour at all! Cause he always seemed nice and was talking to my parents about the weather... so how could we know that something was bothering him??

And yes I did keep playing then because I was angry about the whole thing and because the police said there was nothing wrong with me playing the piano (he just mentioned that the next door neighbour said he couldn't watch the news)... and that is why I went to play the piano that day a lot earlier so I wouldn't bother the neighbour anymore... and yes it made me angry when the neighbours started banging then... I don't know why they did it but maybe it was because they were angry because the police didn't arrest us for illegally making toys or something I don't know.

And the reason why I have an acoustic piano is because we just got a really great opportunity! Me and my mum went looking for a digital piano and we never even thought about buying an acoustic one! But then it just so happened! and a lot of people (music teachers) told my mum that if she was buying me a piano and if I was serious about playing she should get me an acoustic piano!! That's why my mum decided for an acoustic one! Because it's better to get used to playing on an acoustic piano and on harder keys... because at some recitals and at the exams you have to play on an acoustic piano! Even on the grand piano! And that is a lot different than playing on a digital one! I know cause some kids told me it confused them at the exam because the keys of the grand piano felt so much harder and different from their digital piano keys!
I think I should have a right to learn and to prepare well and to try to be the best I can! And I would never expect people to listen to me practicing for hours! All I ask is one hour the most... and that can't be so horrible because I have to listen to a lot of noise from the neighbours a lot of times too! And if they would talk to us I'm sure we could find some time when they would go out for a walk or to the store or when they would be wacuum cleaning their apartment or whatever so they couldn't hear me play! Or if they wanted we could even buy ear plugs for them! But like I said they're not really bothered by the piano! They're bothered by their life and their unhappiness! That's why they're complaining! That's why they don't want to find a solution!

And yes maybe I will start saving up money to buy a digital piano! But I won't completely stop playing the acoustic one! Unless of course all the people around here completely stop making noise! But I'm pretty sure that won't happen!

[bustthewave]

I'm guessing alltrent is one of her neighbors

[littletune]

Why should she suffer? Digital pianos is NOT potato/potato with a real one. How about you go talk to them, with your parents ofc, but you do the talking. Try telling them that you really need to practise, and ask when they don't mind you practising (early in the morning or late at night is often not so nice).
Try to charm them, or whatever, or typ to pu something under the piano, and something between the wall and piano.

Yes that would be the best idea, I just have to convince my parents to go talk to them with me... cause they don't really believe anymore it's possible to talk to them! And yes I will put something under the piano... and I don't have it near the wall anyway... I actually have it in the middle of my room It kinda makes two parts of the room (with some other things) which I like cause it's kinda like having two rooms almost   Thanks!

[littletune]

I'm guessing alltrent is one of her neighbors

I thought about that too! 

[Bob]

*Bob thinks littletune's house must be infested with Christmas elves under the floorboards.*

[jimbo320]

You could place the piano on rubber mats and tack up insulation on the walls and ceiling but that's sort of extreme....

[dchristina]

Hi littletune,

I find it so sad that you are being pressured like this, you have every right to play your piano just the same as other people have the right to watch TV or listen to music.
I find it inconsiderate of others to even suggest you give up your acoustic piano and replace it with a digital substitute its not the same.
If the lady downstairs is constantly banging at all hours for any sound she hears other occupants surely can hear her too and must realize its not due to your piano but anything that takes her fancy.
Eventually even the police get sick of complaints that have no substance as will the other occupants, a little like the story of the boy who cried " wolf " too often.
Play your piano enjoy it whist also respecting others by choosing reasonable times to practice, moving is sometimes not a good option and if others object ask them for a good reason why.

Tina.

[littletune]

*Bob thinks littletune's house must be infested with Christmas elves under the floorboards.*

  I think you're right Bob! I think we must have elves here making toys all the time 

You could place the piano on rubber mats and tack up insulation on the walls and ceiling but that's sort of extreme....

Well maybe it would be extreme to put it all over the room, but I think it would be a good idea to put it under the piano! I'm just not sure how difficult it is to lift the piano and put something under it. Thanks 

Hi littletune,

I find it so sad that you are being pressured like this, you have every right to play your piano just the same as other people have the right to watch TV or listen to music.
I find it inconsiderate of others to even suggest you give up your acoustic piano and replace it with a digital substitute its not the same.
If the lady downstairs is constantly banging at all hours for any sound she hears other occupants surely can hear her too and must realize its not due to your piano but anything that takes her fancy.
Eventually even the police get sick of complaints that have no substance as will the other occupants, a little like the story of the boy who cried " wolf " too often.
Play your piano enjoy it whist also respecting others by choosing reasonable times to practice, moving is sometimes not a good option and if others object ask them for a good reason why.

Tina.

Hi Thanks for your nice comment! Yes I hope the police and the neighbours will realize that! My mum is now always writing down the hours and what we were all doing at the times when the dowstairs neighbour starts banging
Thanks

[raintree]

Thing is, if you move, how can you be certain that one day you won't get new neighbors who will start this cycle of complaining all over again?

Suggestions - get a digital, if you can

One way I got around the same problem is asking local churches if I could come by to practice. They were all very accomodating. One church was sooooo kind. When they heard me practice - they came by and said we enjoy your playing so much - you're always welcome to our grand piano in the sanctuary. Maybe this would work for you?

All the best!

[raintree]

Let's cut the writer a little slack. For many of the people on this board, English is a second language.

That's cool - but a wall of text in any language is    LOL

[littletune]

Thing is, if you move, how can you be certain that one day you won't get new neighbors who will start this cycle of complaining all over again?

Suggestions - get a digital, if you can

One way I got around the same problem is asking local churches if I could come by to practice. They were all very accomodating. One church was sooooo kind. When they heard me practice - they came by and said we enjoy your playing so much - you're always welcome to our grand piano in the sanctuary. Maybe this would work for you?

All the best!

Thank you for your comment! Really? They were so nice? Well I mean I was thinking about asking at some places if I could practice there (at least sometimes)... but I thought there's no way they would just let me play their piano    Well I guess I should at least try asking   Thanks!  

[lukasjob]

hi littletune, i went through your problems too, piece of advice, stay where you are, have a silent mechanism installed on your piano so you can play with headphones your piano, but that's not the end of it, cause you have to train your neighbors too, so I usually do like this, I play the most boring things (for others to listen such as repetitions of short passages and so on with the headphones) and play without headphones the rest, whole pieces or anything I think it's beautiful and played well, people are more willing to let you play in peace if the hear you are good ,play also at resonable times say, from 4pm to 5pm so that if anyone says something you can say 'Hey, I have my rights to play at this time', be confidend really, warm regards luca.

[littletune]

Hi Lukasjob! Thank you for your comment! Is it expensive to install a silent mechanism? Is it complicated? I mean it sounds great  if it's not too complicated and too expensive Oh and yes I only play loudly the pieces that I'm playing kinda well already   Thanks very much for your advice! 

[pianowolfi]

Yes a silent mechanism is definitely worth of consideration. But you might want to know two things about it: 1. it's quite expensive, I guess around €800 or more, and 2. on an upright it reduces the dynamic range in the soft register, means you can not play as softly as before when you play in normal mode (without the headphones).  

[littletune]

Thanks Wolfi!  Well I guess it would maybe be better then to buy a cheap digital piano... cause you can get some for like 400 euros, but I don't know if they're ok  And I sometimes have problems with playing softly on my piano even now...  hmm well I'm not sure... We'll see I guess  Thanks! 

[oxy60]

Be sure you get one with all 88 keys. Don't pay extra for effects you won't use like strings, trumpets, etc. A good solid 88 note digital keyboard cost me  +/- US$ 700. I just checked a store in the EU and a "gig level"  88 note was only 900 euros. You won't need anything like that unless you plan to be in a band.

[littletune]

Thanks Oxy! When I was looking on the internet I also found some digital pianos and stage pianos for 400 euros. One was even for 300!! But I'm not sure if they would be good enough...  But I mean I wouldn't really need a very good one anyway cause I have an acoustic piano, so I would have a digital one just so I could practice more (not just an hour a day). But I'm not sure how you know which one is good enough and which one isn't...

[oxy60]

There are limits to internet shopping and this is one of them. Now you need a store where you can try out the touch on ones you like. Or a friend/school/studio might have one.

Don't worry about the sound at this point. The built in amps and speakers never sound right. It will always sound better with earphones.

When I bought mine I brought my special earphones along to the store so I wouldn't be distracted by the built in sound.

[littletune]

Yes you're right I think we should go ask to the store or maybe I should really ask my teacher about it too... I still haven't even told her about our neighbours  I don't know... I just have problems asking people things I guess    but I will!  Thanks! 

[oxy60]

Of course you can ask people but in the final analysis how the digital keyboard feels and how it matches up to your existing piano will be something only you can tell.