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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want the keyboard moved to a room that can be shut off?

17 replies

Newbie887 · 19/12/2024 08:37

Genuinely interested in the replies to this as I don’t play an instrument so am not sure what the appropriate solution is.

Partner and two of our children are learning the piano. They’ve been doing so for about a year. It is a keyboard located next to the kitchen island in an open plan kitchen / dining / sofa room. Theres always someone playing on it when I’m cooking or eating or trying to chill out. It’s really getting on my nerves! More so my partner playing it than the kids, as they tend to play set peices they are learning and they improve during the week which I dont mind listening to as much. My partner doesn’t seem to learn anything to the point where he can actually play it - perhaps this is normal when you are starting out? He flits between many different things and also plays jazz chords in a kind of unset way which I can’t stand it’s like listening to Ron Burgandy and so off putting….😭!

when we moved into the house I asked if it could be put in the spare room / office, or the tv room, so it could be shut away. Partner wanted it in the open plan room so it got played and practiced on rather than forgotten. I get this…but I don’t want to hear it all day long. What do other people who have instruments in the house do??

OP posts:
clawmachine · 19/12/2024 08:38

Could they use headphones?

Baguettesandcheeseforever · 19/12/2024 08:39

Get headphones.

Procrastination4 · 19/12/2024 08:39

Was coming here to say suggest headphones too!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 19/12/2024 08:39

Headphones seem like the obvious solution here.

Ghost12985 · 19/12/2024 08:39

Headphones for them while playing.

Avatartar · 19/12/2024 08:40

You can turn the volume down on a keyboard too while he sources some headphones

GCAcademic · 19/12/2024 08:41

DH got headphones after I got to the point of screaming breakdown from having to listen to him learn to play the blasted thing.

Newbie887 · 19/12/2024 09:12

We have headphones which are plugged into the keyboard but they end up fallen down the back and no one uses them. Maybe I will just have to be more insistent on asking them to put them on each time…I haven’t really said anything up to now as don’t want to be the dick that’s putting a downer on them all learning the instrument!!

there is talk about upgrading to an actual piano though in which case headphones would not be an option

OP posts:
Letsbe · 19/12/2024 09:15

Must be very annoying but what a lovely household you live in. Its great they are all learning together.

Puppypower83 · 19/12/2024 09:16

At least they're using it! Can't get my son to practice and now it's just gathering dust/taking up space!

HPandthelastwish · 19/12/2024 09:18

Get one of those sticky hooks for the side of the keyboard and hang the headphones from there

Baguettesandcheeseforever · 19/12/2024 09:51

Look up silent piano systems. You can buy pianos with them already installed. It’s an acoustic piano but the centre pedal enables it to be converted to electric and headphones can be used.

rainbowstardrops · 19/12/2024 09:59

That would drive me crazy. Absolutely insist that they must use the headphones when you're in the kitchen or nearby all the time
It's the best of both worlds then.
My son used to play the keyboard (really quite well) but it just hosts his pile of clothes that he can't be bothered to put away now. I'd really like it if he played again

Octopies · 19/12/2024 10:02

Definitely headphones and you can get electric pianos with weighted keys which you can also use with headphones!

RandomMusing · 19/12/2024 10:28

Definitely headphones and you can get electric pianos with weighted keys which you can also use with headphones!

This, family only play without headphones when they want us to hear them playing. General practicing is all on headphones. I can kind of understand the Dc not using them but your partner should.

I do agree with your partner though that's it's best in the main room so it gets used.

Boriswentcamping · 19/12/2024 10:41

Headphones for the keyboard?

If you do get an actual piano, you can get them with a practise pedal which dampens the sound. Actual piano's can be very loud depending on the acoustics of the room and the skill of the player. We have one in the lounge as I agree it is more likely to be played if it isn't locked away. I do encourage the practice pedal though when we are all using the room :)

Baguettesandcheeseforever · 19/12/2024 11:23

Boriswentcamping · 19/12/2024 10:41

Headphones for the keyboard?

If you do get an actual piano, you can get them with a practise pedal which dampens the sound. Actual piano's can be very loud depending on the acoustics of the room and the skill of the player. We have one in the lounge as I agree it is more likely to be played if it isn't locked away. I do encourage the practice pedal though when we are all using the room :)

You can get a silent system fitted. I have one and it’s brilliant. Look up Yamaha silent pianos.

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