piano playing - how late?

[Anonymous]

our kids recently picked up piano and they need to practice everyday as homework. some days they don't do it until before going to bed, so they'll still be playing past 8:30, sometimes close to 9. we live in a small house and when windows are open the whole block could hear it. would you say it's still OK till 9pm? what time if we'd be really respectful to our neighbors with young kids? tks.

[Anonymous]

9pm seems fine, but if you're worried maybe you should close the windows after 8pm.

[Anonymous]

I am a professional musician and I practice at home. In general I feel ok practicing between 9 am and 9 pm on weekdays (I wait til later in the morning on weekends). I talk to the neighbors once and let them know that if it's ever bothering them to just ask and I'll stop but that it is my job and I will be doing it at some point during every day. However, I NEVER practice with the windows open. It sucks and makes for a bigger AC bill, but that's life. I think you could get away with the windows open in the middle of the day (though I still don't do that), but I wouldn't have them open that late at night.

[Anonymous]

I think 9pm is a fine stopping point. We live next to a high school drum player - jazz drums, if I remember correctly. He sometimes plays until 11pm or so. Good thing he's actually good! I think my DS grew accustomed to the drum playing while in the womb and I'm sure DS #2-on-the-way is doing the same so it doesn't really bother the babies. Could be worse - could be the trumpet!