Is 8.30am acceptable time for piano practise?

[Minimimimi]

We live in a semi and our piano is on the side of our neighbours (not by choice- but only place available due to position of heating et al)
Both my children plays the piano and I have always made sure that piano practise is during acceptable hours 6-7pm during term hours and after 10am weekends.

However- due to lockdown- my sons actual lessons are now at home, weekends 8-10am. (Normally we go to the teachers house at 8am)

I have done everything I can to delay touching the piano first thing and the first 30 minutes is spent on theory, thus the noise starts at 8.30am.

The children are grades 4 & 5 and they are actually playing the piano rather than piano bashing. Youngest is age 7 and still go to sleep very early. The piano teacher does not have any other slots.

Is 8.30am too early?
Does anyone know the legality of piano playing at such hours?
AIBU?

I wouldn't bother me.

8:30 if it was a weekday during term time would be fine IMO but before 10 on a weekend is too early I think

It wouldn’t really bother me, and I’d be fine if you explained that this was the only option until you’re allowed back in the teacher’s house. But I would appreciate an explanation.

Go and talk to your neighbour and report back to us!

Pp saying get a digital piano - how is that going to work with the lesson? The teacher won't be able to hear it

8.30am is only once a week and purely due to lockdown because we’re not allowed to go to the teachers house for practise.
Thanks for all the feedback- good to hear both sides.

Yes it's too early and I say that as someone who plays the piano.

Of course it's too early. I can't believe you have to ask.

As an aside, I feel very sorry for the people down the road whose neighbours have a drum kit right in front of the open fireplace on the adjoining wall. There's also a piano in that room and some brass instruments as well

Ask your neighbours. They may enjoy the playing or they may hate it. At least by asking thy won't resent you.

If it's too early, change the time of the lesson

I would speak to your neighbours.

Our neighbour is a piano teacher and he immediately called round when we moved in. He explained his job and that he teaches at those sort of times, apologised and said that he would avoid practicing in the evenings as he could see we had young children. As it happens, we are always up by 8.30 anyway, so it really wasn’t a problem, and we have be very grateful for his courtesy in the evenings. He always lets us know if he needs to use the piano late on, and we really appreciate his courtesy. (Plus, he has to put up with the noise of our children in the garden!).

I have a 3 year old and 8/30am is the middle of the day to me. Depends on their circumstances

Definitely too early

Gut reaction is that it's too early, especially as it's on an adjoining wall.

But obviously asking your neighbours is the way to go (while making it clear that it's absolutely okay for them to be honest). If they know it's just for lockdown and they're up and about by then, they might be okay with it.

Personally I'd hate someone having a piano on the wall adjoining mine. It's an awful thing to do to a neighbour. And I'm a pianist.

Have you considered a Clavinova or similar?

I think it will depend on your neighbours routine. I'm up by 6.30am most days (oh the joys of having an 18 month old who doesn't yet understand the idea of a weekend lie in ) so wouldn't bat an eye at music at 8.30.

DD practices before school, so about 7-45. We are in an end terrace, but the piano is in an extension outside of the thick outside walls, so not on a shared wall. But you can hear her playing from the garden. I've never given it a thought, but then I have to listen to the neighbour's nasty, yappy, little dog. I think the neighbours get the better deal.

I'm surprised so many people think it is too early. I think it is fine, and personally I would prioritise my DCs learning, enjoyment and well being over grumpy neighbours who might want a lie-in.

Hang on...

The piano teacher comes to you? What's the difference, Covid-wise, between your kids going to the teacher and the teacher coming to you?

Or is this a zoom lesson?

Yes unfortunately if you live in a semi it is too early for a Sunday. Unless your neighbours are generally up doing diy at 8.30 - then it might be worth asking them if they mind?

Speak to your neighbours.

You need to talk to the neighbours

How much can they hear and does it bother them if they can hear it?

Also, if you explain that it's temporary during lockdown/tier, and how long the playing will go on for, it'll be a lot easier for them to live with, because they'll know what to expect. If you make the explanation clutching a big tin of Quality Street for them, it'll ,are it even easier to to be reasonable

Another one saying to speak to neighbours to ask. Give them plenty of chance to say no.

Personally, I wouldn't mind on weekdays because I'm up and out the house walking the dog long before then. Especially if I knew it was a once a week lesson. But others might have different routines and preferences.

It’s too early. We stopped the violin enseble classes at they were early Saturday morning on Zoom 🤷‍♀️

Also it could be a good time to introduce the use of the soft pedal and the concept of pianissimo

Talk to the neighbours. Noise is most annoying when you don't know when it will stop. If they are aware of the timings it might not be an issue

I wouldn’t mind, but then by 8:30 I’d have been up nearly 4 hours with a toddler who likes an early start 🥴