Piano practice neighbour twunt

[runningtogetskinny]

Just wondering what people think are reasonable hours to practice the piano? Newish door neighbour is clearly very talented but practices the piano at any time from around 6am until 11pm - this goes on for at least an hour at a time, including weekends. We live in an Edwardian terrace with thick walls but can still hear him. AIBU to think this is taking the piss and suggest he practice between 9am and 9pm?

I am in a three year row with my absolute Cnut of a neighbor who plays the piano any time day or night. We tried the polite route and she changed her ways for about a week. We then tried the deranged banging on the door at 2am in pyjamas but that didn’t work either. Solicitors letter didn’t do the job so now we are selling. We are in A different country where we have no real noise laws and local councils or police are powerless t ideal with noise complaints.

There is a lot of incorrect information on this thread on what's legal and what's not legal with regards to noise.

OP, if you want the correct information then contact your local Environmental Health Department.

DH plays piano but keeps the soft pedal down at all times unless he knows they are out or away - and he doesn’t play past 8pm. Can you ask your neighbour to keep the soft pedal down?

I can still hear our neighbour with the soft pedal down.

I feel for you OP. My dd plays the piano but we are v fortunate to live in a semi. The piano has always been on the wall furthest from adjoining wall and only played at strict times unless the neighbour is away.
Is it really that difficult not to be selfish?

My daughter has just taken up the violin, which is a beautiful instrument when played to a high standard but sounds like screeching cats at the moment! We limit practice to 15-20 minutes a day normally somewhere between 4-6pm in the week and 12-5pm on the weekend.
As we are in a semi with only one neighbour to think of if we see that the whole family have gone out we will have a longer practice or two in one day! I did speak to them and they said they do hear it but that they don’t mind, I try to get her to use either the dining room or my bedroom for practice as it doesn’t share a wall with the neighbours

We had similar. I spoke to the neighbour who didn't care at all so i contacted the council and the estate agent managing the property. The racket stopped before 8am and after 8pm.

I used to play piano myself, though not to his standard, so appreciate the need to practice just couldn't decide if I was being arsey about it as I know there are far worse things e.g. late night parties, BBQ until all hours etc. DH has been far less considerate than he would be when watching films using surround sound, he wouldn't usually use it at night but feels quite justified as it drowns out twunts piano! I'd play music upstairs loudly but the neighbours on the other side would hear and I wouldn't want to keep their kids up or cause any issue for them, they're lovely. Thanks for the responses, it appears he is a total bell end as I suspected, if it continues I'll have a word with them

I would stick a note through the door and ask him not to practice so early as he wakes you up. 6am is ridiculous

My dad and I both play the piano. Our neighbours used to complain about my dad playing at all, he never played at unreasonable times. He's very talented so it's not that his playing was awful, they just hated hearing it at all. So the piano was moved as far away as possible from the neighbours. We still never played past about 8.30pm. The house they're in now has thin walls joined to the neighbours so he doesn't play in the evening at all. We have no neighbours so I could play any time but don't for the sake of DH and DD!

Some people just hating hearing any noise from next door don't they. I can't stand the baby crying next door all night and listening to the parents argue constantly!

Yes I think you are right OP the hours here are just on! I play in short bursts as it's better for my fingers but if he's playing for long periods of time that might be even worse.

I think 7 or 8am is not unreasonable to request. 9am seems a bit late to ask, most people make noise in the morning between waking and going out to work, but if he's in all day he might be happy to wait till 9 if asked. If you talk to him about his situation and yours hopefully you can agree something that works for both. Most people want to be on the right side of neighbours.

If you can hear it, but its not so bad, what are you complaining about?
If it disturbs you, fair enough. If its just the principle of the thing and you can hear it a little bit if you strain your ears, then you are being unreasonable
Playing in the summer with the doors open, is ok as long as it is at a reasonable time. Occasional arguments, dog noise is ok too, as long as it is not continual
If you are going to ask him to play earlier, be a good neighbour and do it in person rather than anonymous complaints. Just because he argues with his wife doesn't necessarily mean you can't talk to him, and seems like a bit of a cowardly excuse

Officially the time limits are between 11pm and 7 am to be categorised as a noise nuisance

Yanbu. I practise at 6.30am but with headphones on. I have a hybrid piano and only practise normally (ie audibly) after 9am and before 8pm.

We live in a terrace house. I don't let the kids practice before 9 or after 8. Their piano teach recently suggested that my son practice both before and after school (exam is pending) but I said not before as that is not fair on the neighbours.

Officially the time limits are between 11pm and 7 am to be categorised as a noise nuisance

This isn't true.

6am is ridiculous! I suggest you take up the drums and start your practice at 5am every day