Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Piano playing

106 replies

CruCru · 11/10/2012 19:51

How late is too late to play your piano? I ask because my new neighbour is getting on my nerves a bit. He plays beautifully - concert pianist stuff - but sometimes on and off from 6pm until after 11.

We can't hear it in the bedrooms. But when I'm pottering about its starting to grate. Not because it's bad - its great - but because it's there.

We live in a terraced house but usually can hear very little. The people before him had a daughter who would scream. They were very apologetic but there was no need because we could barely hear her.

I'm a bit reluctant to whinge at him partly because another neighbour has just had a go at him about some scaffolding which encroaches a bit onto our properties. This other guy was trying to get me to say that I was upset about it but I said as long as it doesn't cause damage and doesn't block access I'm not that bothered. It's only for a fortnight. Basically I now don't want to speak with him about the piano because I don't want him to think we're ganging up on him.

The piano neighbour is a very young guy (early twenties) whose granny has bought him a house. I think the scaffolding was just him not realising that it would be a nuisance to the neighbours. But the piano is pissing me off.

At what point would you pop round?

OP posts:
Original poster
CruCru · 09/06/2013 10:02

Update: my neighbour is working in Asia for the next few months. I am having some blissful time without the piano. I am due to give birth in September / October and really hope he doesn't come back then.

OP posts:
IfIonlyhadsomesleep · 09/06/2013 10:07

Our dd practises quite early in the morning-half past seven-but she does ten to fifteen minutes and then is done for the day. And we live in a detached house. I'd be really unhappy if someone played as much and as late as you describe. Those are both issues.

Original poster
CruCru · 09/06/2013 10:08

Thanks Ifonly. I don't know many people who play after 9, it just seems to be him.

OP posts:
IfIonlyhadsomesleep · 09/06/2013 10:09

Sorry-just realised the debate has been had and that was an update! Glad you've got a break from it and good luck with the baby. If he comes back and you have a problem with it waking up your little one, try a white noise cd or app. We've got builders in making a different kind of noise but dd2 is able to sleep right through the banging with the hiss going on!

Original poster
CruCru · 09/06/2013 10:11

That's a good idea. I think it will wind me up rather than disturb the baby.

OP posts:
IfIonlyhadsomesleep · 09/06/2013 10:23

Helps me sleep too!

SueDoku · 09/06/2013 10:27

Congratulations on the baby OP Flowers - you have the perfect excuse for a pleasant conversation about how nice it is to see him back 'But of course, you realise that we want to get the baby into a good sleep pattern, so it would be helpful if we could agree on a time - say 8pm? - for your playing to stop?' Then all you have to do is hope that your DC obliges by not screaming too much... Good luck..! Grin

Original poster
CruCru · 09/02/2016 08:02

Okay. I know this is an old thread - but it is my old thread. I need someone to give me a kick up the bum.

The piano playing is much less irritating these days (combination of him working more so playing less often and me being a bit more tolerant). HOWEVER, I've just been round (at 7:45am) to let him know that it's a bit early for the piano and that my son is still in bed. I'm feeling like a many cow but I'm not convinced that I'm unreasonable. Am I?

OP posts:
DonkeyOaty · 09/02/2016 08:32

No yanbu

7.45 is ridiculous and very unneighbourly Angry

BoboChic · 09/02/2016 08:35

We live in an apartment block. Several families have piano playing DC, including our immediate upstairs and downstairs neighbors and us. The only what to make this work is to have a piano with a silencer (an electric piano mounted on a normal piano).

Flowerpower41 · 09/02/2016 09:16

I would never play my piano past 9 or 930 pm

Four hours a day isn't so much if you are really good at piano. Having said that I only play here and there not every day like this neighbour. I would only play say up to an hour at a time.

There should be an additional pedal to muffle the sound so if he wishes to play beyond 9 pm he really should be using that and to be more considerate.

I don't mean the usual soft pedal I mean the additional third pedal. He should have it.

Perhaps he finds it helps him wind down from his stressful job.

Flowerpower41 · 09/02/2016 09:18

Sorry I have read your updated posts yes 745 am is far too early and very inconsiderate.

The problem is to be asked not to play after 8 pm is really quite early so I don't think that will go down too well.

I think I used to play at really early hours and late hours too when I was in my early twenties am now much much older and wouldn't dream of doing such a thing!

TannhauserGate · 09/02/2016 09:26

You know, there are Yamaha pianos that have a silent pedal. Could he ask granny for one of those?
I'm afraid we play instruments at odd times, often from 7am. However, we knew that would be the case, so we moved to a detached house!

NoahVale · 09/02/2016 09:32

but has his playing improved? or was it always good?

Original poster
CruCru · 09/02/2016 16:31

His playing is terrific, it always was. Honestly, sometimes it's nice - but the rest of the time I just hear noise that I haven't chosen to listen to. No matter how good, having to listen to plinky plonk super early or really late gets me down.

OP posts:
mandala1fromTES · 09/02/2016 16:36

To a pianist, a digital piano would be like colour magic to Picasso

No, it wouldn't. OH used to play professionally (jazz) and is absolutely delighted with his new digital piano. I am delighted with the headphones option....

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 09/02/2016 16:43

He just isnt getting it is he.
I think you beed to go round and calmly explain that before 8 and after 9 ( or whatever you feel is reasonable) needs sticking to.
He's been told several times over a ling period of time and is still choosing to ignore your wishes. I would be getting very cross.

Original poster
CruCru · 09/02/2016 17:27

I think part of it is because it's classical music (played well), it isn't noise pollution (to him).

I like heavy metal but wouldn't expect others to love it.

OP posts:
NoahVale · 09/02/2016 17:53

no, it doesnt matter what sort of music, or the fact that he can play, although I spose that helps, but it is noise pollution too early in the morning or too late at night. selfish attitude.

howabout · 09/02/2016 18:24

Depends how long before 7.45 he started? I would assume your toddler would be up by then and you would all be too busy getting ready for the day to hear piano playing. Our apartment block is full of showers running etc at that time of day with everyone getting ready for work.

Narp · 09/02/2016 18:27

We bought a digital pain for this reason; I just don't think it's fair to disturb other people with music - whatever it is and whatever the quality

Narp · 09/02/2016 18:27

piano, not pain

FlatOnTheHill · 09/02/2016 18:34

Yanbu. Far too late no matter how beautiful it may sound. Why do people feel the need to inflict themselves on others because they are thoughtless.

NewLife4Me · 09/02/2016 18:38

We don't play much after 7.30/ 8pm, but we do start at 9am and play pretty much straight through the day.
Lots of different wind instruments as well, so very noisy at times.
We don't take the mickey and our neighbour is a lovely chap.

Original poster
CruCru · 09/02/2016 18:58

He was definitely playing at 7:20 and at 7:45 I went round. My son was still in bed lazy boy then.

OP posts: