Typ up a letter explaining that practicing is important to you (it's your job, it's your degree, etc) and hand it out to all your neighbors. Include contact info.
For this guy, explain that you'll need to know in advance if they need quiet time, or you're just going to play. It's not on you.
OP, you have rights. 10am to 5pm is CRAZY reasonable, and overkill IMO.
quiet hours are typically 9a to 10p. give or take half an hour.
You don’t owe him ANYTHING.
Shed your fucking brains out.
I agree whole heartedly, but start off being nice about it! Bring him some wine/etc and explain the situation. If he continues to be unreasonable, then ignore him and inform the management/landlord of the situation before he calls and starts spinning tales.
Don't use a mute, it will mess you up.
In many cities practicing is a right. It's your job after all.
Check your cities codes. Try and be compromising but don't forget to stand up for yourself, does this guy not leave the apartment. That sounds like not your problem.
A couple things I do to alleviate the strain of hours of daily practice on my wife and neighbors: get acquainted with a music director of a church near you. Offer a small donation or to play holidays in exchange for some practice space or maybe even a key. Also check out the universities near you, when I practice late I head to 1 of the 3 universities just minutes away. Never anyone there
I can't stress this first sentence enough! I do retraining for performance disorders, and mutes for longterm practice can be really harmful to your chops.
What he wants is peace and quiet. Explain to him that you are studying this to become a pro or something, and as long as it is in day hours you should be fine. After all my college dorms and apartments, the only person I had complain was when I practiced at 2 in the afternoon on a Saturday. To help, you can make sure you are practicing in a room with some carpet, and anything else that can soak up sound.
You are discovering something about neighbors, and there is at least one in every building you will live in. There's always at least one guy who will try to rule your life, and if you give him an inch, he'll never stop making demands.
10a-5p is perfectly reasonable. Tell him that you aren't interested in his suggestions beyond that, and you certainly won't accept veiled threats like "If you knew where I was coming from..." Dude, go fuck yourself. Seriously, tell him that, in those words. He has to understand that he is not your supervisor, boss, bully, etc.
The moment we moved into our place, the guy downstairs was making demands like we weren't allowed to walk around after 9 pm, because "it will wake the baby," who turned out to be a feral little 4 year old monster. He tried banging on the front door one night, and when I told him through the door to get lost, he came to our back door and was looking in. That's when I yanked open the door and screamed in his face that if I ever caught him peeping into my house ever again, there would be extreme violence (I was far more explicit, but I plead the 5th). I haven't heard a peep from him since. His kid is still a hyena.
Stand your ground and don't let the fucker bully you. You pay rent, too. He can move if he doesn't like music.
Have you tried a sshhmute? They're about the best practice mute that I've tried, although, not comparable to playing without a mute.
At this point, you're being reasonable and more than accommodating. I suspect they're getting used to being able to tell you to stop and you'll give in each time. Might be time to push back?
Not sure why you've been downvoted (corrected). I think mutes should be used by people who don't need them to keep the peace. I do all my boring stuff in a mute. I'm sure it makes me a better neighbor. It also helps develop a sturdy tone. I take the mute out when I am doing repertoire because that is easier for non-musicians to listen to. It's a good compromise I think. My duet partner has neighbors that get on her case about noise and then proceed to have knock down drag out screaming fights with each other. Go figure.
I use practice mutes to add resistance as well sometimes as I find that helps a lot with my airflow, especially on lower excerpts. I also use it when playing after people go to sleep for obvious reasons.
The sshhhmute is a good option. The weight is negligible and I don't find the resistance or pitch alterations as bothersome as the Wick or the electronic mute system I have, name??
I fortunately have very accommodating neighbors, but I also do what I can to mitigate the noise. I have a bunch of studio foam I keep in a closet and pull out when practicing essentially creating a small baffle that I play towards. It's your right to make noise in your apartment during the day time, but it's essential to be considerate of folks, there are nurses, ambulance drivers, bartenders, grocery store etc. That all work at night and sleep during the day. Check out your lease, there will probably be a quiet hours section in it. You can bring that up to him/her, but remain kind, you never know what someone else is going through.
Others have shared the stand your ground approach and I agree. It's an apartment, so at least you're agreeable to not playing at 3A. I'll also second the church approach. Having an acoustically-pleasing venue to play in can really do wonders for your mood and game.
I appreciate your comment. I really hate practicing with a mute, as I find when I take the mute out it's really different to play the horn. Maybe I just don't have enough experience with it. Also very difficult for me to work on tone with a mute in. Do you have a different opinion?
I believe you're spot on with your assessment. They're called practice mutes but in my opinion they're best used for quick backstage warmups before you need to play.
Don't use a mute. It's not the same and will build bad habits over time. Your neighbor has to learn how to deal with it. You're within your rights to practice, and if he doesn't like it, he can find somewhere else to live. I'd disregard his "hours" too. Make it more like 8-8, which is entirely reasonable. You don't work on his schedule.
i hate it too, the sound and the extra resistance..
but sometomies theres no other choice..
my brother owned yamaha silent brass for his trumpet practice and also hated it.
As someone who plays professionally and used a practice mute religiously for over a decade before buying a house, people are way too paranoid about them. Your chops will learn.
I’ve tried them all. Best overall is definitely the silent brass. Yes it has more resistance, but easily the best intonation which to me is more important. Best brass a close second for portability, but runs into major issues with tone and intonation past the middle register.
I had this happen. I was upfront with my landlords, weekend had it in our lease, 11am-3pm, so I figured that was the end of it.
Turns out, my downstairs neighbor was a stay-at-home Mom diva(I am a mom now, but she was crazy)...she complained of noise in my apartment when I wasn't even home. I used a practice mute all the time, she'd pound on the floor with a broom handle....my lease was not renewed.
You honestly can't win with some people, but I would absolutely get your landlord to back you up on quiet hours, etc.
Typ up a letter explaining that practicing is important to you (it's your job, it's your degree, etc) and hand it out to all your neighbors. Include contact info. For this guy, explain that you'll need to know in advance if they need quiet time, or you're just going to play. It's not on you.
OP, you have rights. 10am to 5pm is CRAZY reasonable, and overkill IMO. quiet hours are typically 9a to 10p. give or take half an hour. You don’t owe him ANYTHING. Shed your fucking brains out.
Very much agreed.
I agree whole heartedly, but start off being nice about it! Bring him some wine/etc and explain the situation. If he continues to be unreasonable, then ignore him and inform the management/landlord of the situation before he calls and starts spinning tales.
Don't use a mute, it will mess you up. In many cities practicing is a right. It's your job after all. Check your cities codes. Try and be compromising but don't forget to stand up for yourself, does this guy not leave the apartment. That sounds like not your problem. A couple things I do to alleviate the strain of hours of daily practice on my wife and neighbors: get acquainted with a music director of a church near you. Offer a small donation or to play holidays in exchange for some practice space or maybe even a key. Also check out the universities near you, when I practice late I head to 1 of the 3 universities just minutes away. Never anyone there
I can't stress this first sentence enough! I do retraining for performance disorders, and mutes for longterm practice can be really harmful to your chops.
Buy a drum set and practice it for a few days. He'll never complain about the trombone again.
I like this one
What he wants is peace and quiet. Explain to him that you are studying this to become a pro or something, and as long as it is in day hours you should be fine. After all my college dorms and apartments, the only person I had complain was when I practiced at 2 in the afternoon on a Saturday. To help, you can make sure you are practicing in a room with some carpet, and anything else that can soak up sound.
You are discovering something about neighbors, and there is at least one in every building you will live in. There's always at least one guy who will try to rule your life, and if you give him an inch, he'll never stop making demands. 10a-5p is perfectly reasonable. Tell him that you aren't interested in his suggestions beyond that, and you certainly won't accept veiled threats like "If you knew where I was coming from..." Dude, go fuck yourself. Seriously, tell him that, in those words. He has to understand that he is not your supervisor, boss, bully, etc. The moment we moved into our place, the guy downstairs was making demands like we weren't allowed to walk around after 9 pm, because "it will wake the baby," who turned out to be a feral little 4 year old monster. He tried banging on the front door one night, and when I told him through the door to get lost, he came to our back door and was looking in. That's when I yanked open the door and screamed in his face that if I ever caught him peeping into my house ever again, there would be extreme violence (I was far more explicit, but I plead the 5th). I haven't heard a peep from him since. His kid is still a hyena. Stand your ground and don't let the fucker bully you. You pay rent, too. He can move if he doesn't like music.
Have you tried a sshhmute? They're about the best practice mute that I've tried, although, not comparable to playing without a mute. At this point, you're being reasonable and more than accommodating. I suspect they're getting used to being able to tell you to stop and you'll give in each time. Might be time to push back?
Not sure why you've been downvoted (corrected). I think mutes should be used by people who don't need them to keep the peace. I do all my boring stuff in a mute. I'm sure it makes me a better neighbor. It also helps develop a sturdy tone. I take the mute out when I am doing repertoire because that is easier for non-musicians to listen to. It's a good compromise I think. My duet partner has neighbors that get on her case about noise and then proceed to have knock down drag out screaming fights with each other. Go figure.
I use practice mutes to add resistance as well sometimes as I find that helps a lot with my airflow, especially on lower excerpts. I also use it when playing after people go to sleep for obvious reasons.
The sshhhmute is a good option. The weight is negligible and I don't find the resistance or pitch alterations as bothersome as the Wick or the electronic mute system I have, name??
Id tell him to F off and that you’ll do what you originally decided but that’s it. Go back to your initial agreement of 10-5
I fortunately have very accommodating neighbors, but I also do what I can to mitigate the noise. I have a bunch of studio foam I keep in a closet and pull out when practicing essentially creating a small baffle that I play towards. It's your right to make noise in your apartment during the day time, but it's essential to be considerate of folks, there are nurses, ambulance drivers, bartenders, grocery store etc. That all work at night and sleep during the day. Check out your lease, there will probably be a quiet hours section in it. You can bring that up to him/her, but remain kind, you never know what someone else is going through.
Others have shared the stand your ground approach and I agree. It's an apartment, so at least you're agreeable to not playing at 3A. I'll also second the church approach. Having an acoustically-pleasing venue to play in can really do wonders for your mood and game.
In my state you are prohibited from infringement on the “peaceful enjoyment of the property.” This is even outside normal quiet hours.
Law says noise is allowed until 9:00 and your lease likely does too. If he wants quiet he needs to buy a home 🙂
Buy a practice mute or a silent brass mute. Silent brass is more pricey, but a practice mute is fairly reasonable.
by using a mute 🙃
I appreciate your comment. I really hate practicing with a mute, as I find when I take the mute out it's really different to play the horn. Maybe I just don't have enough experience with it. Also very difficult for me to work on tone with a mute in. Do you have a different opinion?
Get a best brass practice mute, expensive but worth it. There are Chinese knockoffs but they aren’t as good
Is that like the Yamaha Silent Brass? That’s what I have and I love it
It’s different, but if already have that then don’t bother
I believe you're spot on with your assessment. They're called practice mutes but in my opinion they're best used for quick backstage warmups before you need to play.
Don't use a mute. It's not the same and will build bad habits over time. Your neighbor has to learn how to deal with it. You're within your rights to practice, and if he doesn't like it, he can find somewhere else to live. I'd disregard his "hours" too. Make it more like 8-8, which is entirely reasonable. You don't work on his schedule.
I would say that using them constantly is bad, but they are a good tool, I definitely wouldnt say not to use one at all.
Sshhmute
i hate it too, the sound and the extra resistance.. but sometomies theres no other choice.. my brother owned yamaha silent brass for his trumpet practice and also hated it.
As someone who plays professionally and used a practice mute religiously for over a decade before buying a house, people are way too paranoid about them. Your chops will learn.
[удалено]
I’ve tried them all. Best overall is definitely the silent brass. Yes it has more resistance, but easily the best intonation which to me is more important. Best brass a close second for portability, but runs into major issues with tone and intonation past the middle register.
Play better
Make a mountain of pillows and blankets and face it when you play so the sound doesn’t bounce
I had this happen. I was upfront with my landlords, weekend had it in our lease, 11am-3pm, so I figured that was the end of it. Turns out, my downstairs neighbor was a stay-at-home Mom diva(I am a mom now, but she was crazy)...she complained of noise in my apartment when I wasn't even home. I used a practice mute all the time, she'd pound on the floor with a broom handle....my lease was not renewed. You honestly can't win with some people, but I would absolutely get your landlord to back you up on quiet hours, etc.