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?

It wouldn't bother us if a neighbour did this but each family is different - even if it is okay legally the reasonable way to behave is to ask first.

Shouldn't be doing it at all if the neighbours can hear it, just get a keyboard with headphones.

I think the fact you are asking shows you know it's too early. During the week, fine - but weekend not fine!

Oh god I would hate this. I used to live next door but one to a family where the kid was quite proficient at the piano but scales are murder to hear and inevitably, struggles with a new piece always happen in the same place.

It's bad at any time of day but early in the morning on a weekend? Just no.

Way too early, I’d be very annoyed if I was your neighbour.

Have you asked your neighbours?

Maybe they might be ok with it?

Ask your neighbors. I wouldn't really mind but it's quite early if they like a lie in.

8.30 in a weekend is too early imo. I play piano and teach... but not at 8.30.

I think it's fine. Better than my neighbours practising scales at 11pm. However, I don't know why people don't take this into consideration when they buy a piano. I live in a flat and I bought a piano with headphones as I want to be able to practise whenever I like (obviously wouldn't work for a lesson though).

Ask the neighbours.

And if the piano practice is a long term thing, regardless of hours, I think you should invest in noise reduction strategies. Be it with the piano itself, or on the adjoining wall at least.

You should check your local council website for details on what constitutes noise complaints and what time noise can start from.

Personally, I'd be really pissed off if someone started playing the piano at 8:30am every single weekend. I'd try and change your child's piano lesson, if I were you, or buy headphones (if they can be connected to your piano).

It depends who the neighbours are. Mine is out sweeping his drive at 6am every morning, so I don't think he'd be bothered. I'm up by 7am at weekends and my late sleeping teens sleep through anything so we wouldn't mind either, but generically, yes it's too early.

No don't ask your neighbours. It's putting them on the spot. Just don't do it.

The piano class is via zoom, no face contact.

The neighbours are definitely up by 8.30am- as I always see their washing out before 8, but do appreciate that it’s one thing being up, and another having to hear somebody play the piano. Apparently it’s because their kids are still asleep (10,15,19) because they sleep late. Whereas a year ago- we were told not to play late- as it’s too late. (Ironically it was 8.30 again, but pm)

They have complained for the first time since previous late hour episode a year ago (I suspect it’s due scales today- as prior weeks the kids had only been pieces.)

@Redburnett

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.

There are quite a lot of hours available in the day for piano playing though, but only a limited window for a lie-in...

Of course it's too early. This would piss me off big time.

Have your neighbours complained? You seem very conscious about it - which is commendable, but I'd just ask them if it's a massive issue and explain about it being only during lockdown.

I personally don't think 8:30 is that early, but other people are clearly horrified by it, so some people are.

@Minimimimi

The piano class is via zoom, no face contact.

The neighbours are definitely up by 8.30am- as I always see their washing out before 8, but do appreciate that it’s one thing being up, and another having to hear somebody play the piano. Apparently it’s because their kids are still asleep (10,15,19) because they sleep late. Whereas a year ago- we were told not to play late- as it’s too late. (Ironically it was 8.30 again, but pm)

They have complained for the first time since previous late hour episode a year ago (I suspect it’s due scales today- as prior weeks the kids had only been pieces.)

Oh, so your neighbours have objected to 8.30am lessons?

In my opinion it would be no different to a neighbour knocking a wall or starting a chainsaw at that time on a weekend morning, I'd be annoyed and ask them to stop and not repeat it. I'm amazed that the teacher has absolutely no other slots available.

It’s too early at the weekend.

(& I say that as a family of musicians, dh teaches singing, dd is training in musical theatre & Ds is doing music Btec specialising in keyboard)

Speak to them. I'm a pianist as is my son and tbh I'd be slightly miffed at children playing piano through a party wall at 8am on a Sunday. But it depends on their hours and their tolerance limits.

We are fortunate in having a detached house but I still wonder what the neighbours think in summer when DS decides that 9pm is a good time to practice all the scales.

Surely just check with the neighbour? They might not hear it or may well enjoy some nice piano music in the morning. I’m pretty sure as it’s actual playing they won’t mind. If it’s an absolute
Problem maybe invest in a digital stage piano (they are readily available second hand but relatively cheap new - Yamaha p45 is a brilliant entry level) which means they can practice whenever they want with headphones, use it in their room in the evening, take the piano out to play (when we’re allowed).

Too early. Nowadays digital pianos are so good - and they can be used with headphones!

8.30 on a Sunday is too early.

I’d say before 9 on a Saturday and before 10 on a Sunday.

Sorry.

I don't think it's just about whether they are up already, or having a lie in. Just because people are not in bed doesn't mean they want to hear noise from next door; lots of people are still up at 11 pm, but nobody thinks that's an OK time to make a noise.
For all we know, the neighbours are already fed up of hearing the piano practice every day, and now playing early at the weekend could be the last straw.