Neighbor always playing piano

[Anonymous]

I'd move because it's an indication that the sound proofing is really poor and you have no idea what will be next (different neighbors, worse noise problem ...).

[Anonymous]

Ask if he is open to playing an electric piano with headphones. Offer to help pay for it. My MIL is a piano teacher and has a couple of electric pianos, as well as a baby grand and some uprights. The quality of electric pianos is actually quite good. You can buy one with weighted keys so it feels just like playing a regular piano.

[Anonymous]

OP, don't expect to tell him what to do on his side of the fence, FYI.

[Anonymous]

Practicing for one or two hours a day during normal hours is one thing for more than that is not cool.

[Anonymous]

Soundproof your space

[Anonymous]

Ask if takes requests. My kids would be thrilled if he could play "Let It Go".

[Anonymous]

Make a choice to not worry about it anymore. I bet you start to not notice it. When I first moved to the city the sounds of the city were so loud out my window but within no time I didn't even notice them anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Practicing for one or two hours a day during normal hours is one thing for more than that is not cool.

This must be a joke or someone who doesn't understand what it takes for a concert level pianist to keep in top form.

I've been playing for more than 20 years now, and at times when I was playing professionally, I would practice for 6-8 hours during the day. It was WORK. Not play.

Here's what you COULD do if you want to get on their "good side"... Next time you see him, ask if he would mind if you guys came over sometimes to hear him play. I know this is work but that's what being a neighbor is about and sometimes you have to bend a little to be happy. Build a rapport and I'll bet you they will change their habits without you having to even mention it out of respect for their new "friends".

[Anonymous]

Start playing the trumpet.

[Anonymous]

Better piano playing than hip hop or rap music!

[Anonymous]

Step#1: Get a sub woofer and hook it up to your TV.
#2: Watch loud action movies like Thor every night.
#3: Prepare for negotiations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Step#1: Get a sub woofer and hook it up to your TV.
#2: Watch loud action movies like Thor every night.
#3: Prepare for negotiations.

PP with the piano playing neighbor. I did something like this. After they refused to talk about reducing hours, I was pissed and basically anytime she started playing and I was home I blasted music to drown it out (clearly this was before kids). That got their attention and may be why she started playing less often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least it's not loud sex.

+1

If he can't/won't move the piano and he won't stop playing in the evenings, consider soundproofing your space.

The noise ordinances are usually for much later at night or for noise that is excessively loud. You can have someone measure the decibels and compare that to your local noise threshold ordinance. It is probably below that or other neighbors would be complaining as well.

When I lived in Chapel Hill, my neighbor was a bagpiper. I adjusted .

[Anonymous]

Ask them to move it, and offer to help. And ask to not play when you sleep.

And consider moving! Like someone said, if the walls are that thin, if it's not one thing it will be another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Practicing for one or two hours a day during normal hours is one thing for more than that is not cool.

This must be a joke or someone who doesn't understand what it takes for a concert level pianist to keep in top form.

I've been playing for more than 20 years now, and at times when I was playing professionally, I would practice for 6-8 hours during the day. It was WORK. Not play.

Here's what you COULD do if you want to get on their "good side"... Next time you see him, ask if he would mind if you guys came over sometimes to hear him play. I know this is work but that's what being a neighbor is about and sometimes you have to bend a little to be happy. Build a rapport and I'll bet you they will change their habits without you having to even mention it out of respect for their new "friends".

This. If you develop a relationship with your neighbor, it will be a lot easier to request that he alter his habits. And decide what the most important change you'd like is--no piano after 9 pm? No piano during the baby's naptime? If you're on friendly terms, it's a lot easier to ask a favor.

And look into soundproofing. Sounds like your house is inadequate in that respect.