Putting an upright piano on top floor flat

[Khtchkn]

Preparing for a diploma hopefully end of this year. Grew up with a Yamaha grand piano, stopped for 10 years now back again but using a digital piano as no space for a grand in our flat. It’s really not working I think (piano teacher agrees). I’m wanting to hire an upright piano until my exam at the end of this year. I knocked on my neighbours door below me to ask but no answer, will pop a note through tomorrow. I told the neighbour I’d play for 1hr/2hr daily anytime between 9am-7pm as I have my 2 year old asleep. Also I won’t be playing twinkle twinkle little star or fur Elise constantly. I have done my grade 8 and preparing for a diploma recital! I will pop a letter to my neighbour downstairs but wanted to hear other ppls opinions . Hopefully they won’t care and will agree to it, as you’re allowed do whatever is your normal routine during the hours that aren’t too early or late. Just thought I’d be a decent neighbour and ask before

Thanks guys
@GreenlandTheMovie because I have a digital piano ....
@emilyfrost love your resentful comments! Keep it up! 🤣

She called a few hours later and said “I hear your piano playing and it’s wonderful. I would love to hear it louder. Even if you would play 10hrs a day I wouldn’t mind”.

And in other things that didn't happen today...

You really do think a lot of yourself, don't you, OP? How ghastly.

Luckily I have happy neighbours enjoying my playing, and not some miserable ppl on here.confused Have a lovely day everyone!

Good stuff. Hearing your neighbours playing music for a couple of hours a day during sensible hours isn’t antisocial IMO.

It’s a wonder we have any musicians in this country at all the attitude some grumps have to music. Half the homes in the country used to have a piano in the 50s and 60s.

Most Instruments are fairly noisy. They need to usually be played out in order to reach a good standard. Not all children or aspiring musicians have the luxury of a £1 million detached house.
No wonder the arts are increasingly dominated by the upper middle classes.

Glad it worked out for you. My grandmother was a very talented pianist and her neighbours had a similar attitude. She had agreed practice times and if they needed her not to (they felt ill for example) she simply wouldn't play.

Our next door neighbours son went through a phase with a drum kit. He was.... Not a very talented player. A similar approach worked, they agreed times with us and we could always tell them if it was a problem.

@emilyfrost

She called a few hours later and said “I hear your piano playing and it’s wonderful. I would love to hear it louder. Even if you would play 10hrs a day I wouldn’t mind”.

Well that’s a load of bollocks 😂😂😂

If the neighbour really did say that she needs to be careful what she wishes for as it might not be so pleasant when it goes on and on!

If I really felt I had to say yes I would want the time narrowed down so I knew when to arrange calls with work. 9-7 means you could start any time.

@Beseigedbykillersquirrels quite the opposite actually! I’m very critical of myself! Not my fault for what my neighbour said! #sorrynotsorry

@Cam77 absolutely! X

On another note... if anyone is actually intrigued to hear some of my piano playing I am on Instagram 🤣

on another note...

Now your neighbour is content, I expect there will be many other notes... 🎶

I think you're being very unreasonable. That is a massive time frame. 2 hours of piano between 9am and 7pm?! Cant you agree certain times, e g 3-5pm so it's over with and neighbours can try to avoid it? Many people are wfh at the moment, is that going to be a massive distraction for them? I would use a good quality keyboard with headphones. It's not fair to play a piano when you live in flats.

At diploma level digital is not good enough to practice on. in the actual exam you would be playing on an acoustic

And yes, 100%. I have a student who also plays piano, at diploma level. They have a small digital keyboard (not even a piano) and it’s really holding them back. You need weighted keys and to regularly work with the acoustics of the actual instrument, which is unachievable unless you practise on a real piano

This is just silly. Of course a small keyboard will hold someone back. This is completely different to hybrid and silent piano options that people are suggesting. I’m diploma level piano and think the snobbishness and ignorance around this is ridiculous.

And as for saying “heavy metal” or the sound of a “trombone” ... is really not the same sound as an advanced classical pianist.. So if a professional heavy metal musician moves in you are saying that is different to your need to practice? That’s just hypocrisy.

I live in the flat below a piano teacher. I think it’s lovely tbh!

Nice outcome 😊
Personally I would also enjoy 2 hours of piano music played at a high standard. Even repetitive scales and technical exercises wouldn’t bother me.
I grew up playing music and my DD are both learning music. Sounds of people playing music is very pleasing to me.

If it is only 2 hours a day and for an exam I wouldn't mind as your neighbour.

@Cam77

Luckily I have happy neighbours enjoying my playing, and not some miserable ppl on here.confused Have a lovely day everyone!

Good stuff. Hearing your neighbours playing music for a couple of hours a day during sensible hours isn’t antisocial IMO.

It’s a wonder we have any musicians in this country at all the attitude some grumps have to music. Half the homes in the country used to have a piano in the 50s and 60s.

Most Instruments are fairly noisy. They need to usually be played out in order to reach a good standard. Not all children or aspiring musicians have the luxury of a £1 million detached house.
No wonder the arts are increasingly dominated by the upper middle classes.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Reminds me of this case a few years ago...
www.pianistmagazine.com/news/right-to-practise-upheld-by-uk-court/

I play piano too op as does my daughter so you would be my dream neighbour

I appreciate a digital piano is nothing like the real thing, I have both and you just can't beat the real thing.

I'd talk to your neighbour rather than put a note through the door. Maybe ask them when they are likely to be out so you can practice without disturbing them.

What is your instagram op, I would certainly listen x

Invest in a better digital piano (and headphones) and find a local practice room your can hire to use a real piano (perhaps try your nearest university).

@CMeredithC

At diploma level digital is not good enough to practice on. in the actual exam you would be playing on an acoustic

And yes, 100%. I have a student who also plays piano, at diploma level. They have a small digital keyboard (not even a piano) and it’s really holding them back. You need weighted keys and to regularly work with the acoustics of the actual instrument, which is unachievable unless you practise on a real piano.

Completely agree. I used to play piano at diploma level and the difference is night and day. Unfortunately people who have no knowledge/interest won't have any idea of it and will, understandably, not want the noise levels.

[quote Khtchkn]@Beseigedbykillersquirrels quite the opposite actually! I’m very critical of myself! Not my fault for what my neighbour said! #sorrynotsorry

@Cam77 absolutely! X[/quote]
Squirrels obviously knows literally nothing about music or musicians.

You don't get a very high standard if you're not your own harshest critic.

Really depends on the type of flat.

@Khtchkn think hats fantastic news! Happy shopping and keep on enjoying your time making music

I would love hearing you practice.

But I teach beginners piano.

Practising at that level on a digital piano, however good would drive me crazy. It's not the same. DD had a piano teacher when she was doing her degree at a conservative who had a digital piano in his home and recommended one particular piano, but that was purely for practice with headphones at home to complement practising on an acoustic piano.

Could you afford to buy some soundproof panels? And put an extra bit of carpet under your piano? And sometimes use the practice pedal?

Squirrels obviously knows literally nothing about music or musicians.

You don't get a very high standard if you're not your own harshest critic.

Ha ha @StickWaver. Listen to yourself! 😂

I used to practice for 7-8 hours during summer holidays when I was a child preparing for my piano exams, practicing the same 3-4 pieces, on repeat for 7-8 hours I used to live in a flat too, with good sound insulation, the downstairs neighbour only complained once and that was when he needed to take a nap, so I just avoided his nap times. Looking back I do feel sorry for my neighbours, and there was no digital piano back in the days.