Piano too loud

[jce]

I think generally as long as practice is done by 930pm it’s acceptable.


NGL2010, is it because your DS’s playing on the piano was too loud? In other words, sorry for being crude, was he hammering on the piano? Did you find it loud? Also, some pianos are brighter than others, some shrill and that can be rather piercing. Try explaining to your neighbour that your DS’s exam is just round the corner so he may be putting in a few more late night practices than normal, I am sure they’d understand.

[Sun_2010]

My neighbour's daughter plays the piano. When I hear it, I go and open my door fully. My only complaint, she doesnt play often enough. Yes she plays very well. :rahrah:

[bebebub]

i find the closing of windows and doors help quite a bit. Get your kid to practice with and without closing them, while you stand outside your unit or even downstairs, and feel the difference.


The sound of our previous (very old) piano was rather \"bright\". I only realised the difference after changing it to this current one.

I suppose most people don't mind listening to the pieces, but hearing endless practices of scales may be a different story. This can happen when you hv a number of kids practising piano in the same estate

[Always21]

When my boy plays the piano, I always asked him to turn on the air-con. It helps as he can hear himself better and also will not get any complain from neighbour.


During the examination, the room is also sound proof. Just want him to get use to it.

[ngl2010]

Thank you all for your advice.


We always close all doors and windows when DS plays the piano. Next door neighbour actually had complimented him a few weeks ago (maybe she is a very nice person. Now we are worried that she is actually bothered but too courteous to us). The one that complained to us was the neighbour directly downstairs. DS was playing Bach's Prelude and Fugue in B-flat BWV 866 when he complained. Maybe the Prelude part has a lot of 'hammering'?

I am tone deaf. Our piano is Yamaha U1. Is the sound bright?

Now it is very stressful for us to play piano. DS needs to practice his scales everyday and he just does not have enough time to practice if we are limited to 8pm every day.

DH is thinking of renting a studio in nearby music school every night. But it is a lot of money and tiring to travel...

I think playing before 9pm is alright but I cannot find a government regulation to support this. Anybody knows?

In the meantime, we are going to move the piano to our bedroom (because we think the wooden floor will absorb the vibration better), put a thick rug underneath the floor, put a mattress behind the piano and open the wardrobe to absorb the sound even more (I don't know whether it is silly or not but we will try everything possible).

My DS is very worried playing piano now that I have to keep telling him that if the neighbour complains again, I will put my foot down. If we are playing within reasonable hours (to me is before 9pm), why do we need to be scared? I will tell the neighbour that this is our home and our DS needs to practice piano so deal with it. Short of telling him to move out and rent another place (I believe he rents the unit because we keep seeing different people from his unit each year and I think he is FT because of his accent). I still want to be courteous but I cannot risk my DS failing grade 8 exam just because of this. We have already abandoned all PSLE preparations for this exam piano....

Sorry for the rants. I guess I am under a lot of stress :imdrowning:

[jce]

Bach should not be "hammered" but because of the articulation and plentiful finger work it may sound more "noisy". I think an explanation to your neighbour seeking their kind understanding is sufficient

[mrsoon]

As a matter of interest, how to sound-proof a room? Thanks.

[bebebub]

ngl2010:

Thank you all for your advice.


We always close all doors and windows when DS plays the piano. Next door neighbour actually had complimented him a few weeks ago (maybe she is a very nice person. Now we are worried that she is actually bothered but too courteous to us). The one that complained to us was the neighbour directly downstairs. DS was playing Bach's Prelude and Fugue in B-flat BWV 866 when he complained. Maybe the Prelude part has a lot of 'hammering'?

I am tone deaf. Our piano is Yamaha U1. Is the sound bright?

Now it is very stressful for us to play piano. DS needs to practice his scales everyday and he just does not have enough time to practice if we are limited to 8pm every day.

DH is thinking of renting a studio in nearby music school every night. But it is a lot of money and tiring to travel...

I think playing before 9pm is alright but I cannot find a government regulation to support this. Anybody knows?

In the meantime, we are going to move the piano to our bedroom (because we think the wooden floor will absorb the vibration better), put a thick rug underneath the floor, put a mattress behind the piano and open the wardrobe to absorb the sound even more (I don't know whether it is silly or not but we will try everything possible).

My DS is very worried playing piano now that I have to keep telling him that if the neighbour complains again, I will put my foot down. If we are playing within reasonable hours (to me is before 9pm), why do we need to be scared? I will tell the neighbour that this is our home and our DS needs to practice piano so deal with it. Short of telling him to move out and rent another place (I believe he rents the unit because we keep seeing different people from his unit each year and I think he is FT because of his accent). I still want to be courteous but I cannot risk my DS failing grade 8 exam just because of this. We have already abandoned all PSLE preparations for this exam piano....

Sorry for the rants. I guess I am under a lot of stress :imdrowning:

Personally, I think if the practice concludes by 9pm, it is very reasonable.

Your ds should not be stressed by this. Assure him that u will resolve the issue and let him get on with his preparations. Good luck in his mar exams :xedfingers:

[rocklandpiano]

Below are 6 tips on soundproofing your Apartment or House.


* Fill Your Apartment with Fabric
While you may appreciate metal or wood, or even desire a modern look in your apartment, these materials amplify sound. Fabrics, or fabric items absorb wood and therefore act as soundproofing materials, despite not being designed as such.

* Don’t Overlook the Walls
The walls in the room in which a piano is located are often not treated to assist in soundproofing. Typical paintings, posters or other framed objects do not absorb sound waves. Therefore, hang items on your walls that will assist in absorbing sound.

* Use the Ceiling
Noise travels through the walls, including the ceiling. When soundproofing your apartment, do not forget that sound waves travel in every direction, including upwards.

* Rely on the Piano Itself
While you may not particularly want to dampen the noise from the piano, you might be willing to consider dampening its loudness. Putting heavy rugs on the top or back of the piano will still permit the beautiful music to be heard, but at a much lower volume. Many piano companies offer piano coverings that look beautiful, will fit your piano type and assist in making a piano less noisy.

*Seal off Vents When Playing
Much noise in apartment buildings travels between apartments through air vents or other connecting ventilation holes. While you probably do not want to block these vents all the time, placing a thick fabric item over them while you are playing can significantly reduce the amount of noise other apartment dwellers hear.

Open it Up
If it is not winter, one of the best ways to soundproof your home is to play the piano with as many windows and doors open as possible. With an escape route to the outside, fewer sound waves will travel to the other apartment. Essentially, by opening doors and windows you are providing the sound with a means to escape the confines of your apartment.

[Paulyn Y]

i was shopping around at bras basah a few weeks back for instruments. i came across a device, which apparently can be installed in a regular piano and d sound would be channelled to headphone. i’m not sure how it works, neither did i ask about it with the shop.

i have the same dilemma growing up. i dared not practice at night for fear neighbours would complaint. as a result i have always wanted a digital piano, so that only me can hear what i am playing.
however back then, and even now many traditional strict piano teachers will not recommend parents to buy their kids digital pianos because they claimed compromised on touch, dynamics, intonation etc.
but here’s my thought - if i don’t even get the chance to play, what matter does it on touch, tone etc?
i’m sure many teachers wouldn’t agree with me, but this is just my thought as student.