Woman fumes as ‘noisy’ neighbours play the piano for four hours straight

Music is a wonderful thing, and most people appreciate the sound of someone rehearsing their chosen instrument – but if you were subjected to it for four hours straight, you may think differently

When you live in an apartment block, you’re banking on the fact that your neighbours will be considerate and not be too noisy throughout the whole day – allowing you to get on with what you’re doing with minimal disruption. Sometimes, that isn’t the case though, and you may be forced to speak with them.

That gets difficult, however, if there’s a language barrier between you and them. One woman took to Mumsnet to explain how she was forced to leave a note to her neighbours, who are from Hong Kong, asking them to keep the banging down, as they were having renovations done, after 9pm – but they then found other ways to make noise by playing the piano for four hours straight.

She explained: “We live in an apartment block and they live above me. They are from Hong Kong so language barrier. But they are so noisy and loud. I wrote a polite note a few weeks ago just asking if they can keep the banging down after 9pm (they are renovating the apartment) this goes on from 7am till gone 9pm.

“I spoke to them after and they apologised and said the renovations have finished. They are now playing the piano from 4 till gone 8pm and it’s driving me insane!

“I’ve just got in from work to settle down and can’t even hear the TV without the volume being turned right up! I’m so close to banging on the ceiling! If you live in an apartment you have common decency at least keep the noise down and it’s not a great idea to be playing the piano every single night! Am I being unreasonable?”

Fellow Mumsnet users flocked to the comments to let her know she wasn’t being unfair at all, and it’s normal to be able to relax in your own home.

One commented: “Poor you! I suppose you are very much of the mercy of your upper neighbours noise-wise in an apartment but this sounds excessive. The polite note worked last time, I’d try that again. Banging the ceiling might well happen but only after I’d exhausted diplomatic avenues!”

Another wrote: “Hmm I think you will need to talk to them about it, they might not even know how much you can hear it. If it’s a digital piano it would be easy enough to resolve by getting some headphones or turning down the volume on it. If it’s acoustic then that’s more of an issue, if they play then they need to practice but you need to try and find mutually convenient times.”

Someone else agreed, saying: “Get them to come and hear it in your flat. They might not realise how loud it sounds. Ask them to cover the floor if it is not already carpeted.”

The original poster updated their post, commenting: “Thanks for all your advice, I will try a note again. They are a lovely couple. I do think it’s a culture difference and them not realising how loud it is.”

But then others questioned why she was annoyed, writing: “Honestly? I get that it’s annoying but if they finish at 8pm that is not dreadful.”

Another said that if they were good at playing the piano, it wouldn’t be that bad, drawing on their own experience: “I don’t mean to trivialise but are they good at playing the piano?

“I once had a neighbour who played the violin and rehearsed every night. And sometimes held the string quartet rehearsals at hers as well. Heaven. Live music all the time!”

Would the noise bother you? Let us know in the comments.