Drumming and your neighbors

[fourstringdrums]

I was wondering what everyone's neighbor situation is like in regards to their drumming? When I lived at home with parents my neighbors would pretty far apart so they couldn't hear me, although one guy who often tell me "Hey were you playing along with such and such a song?" So I guess he could hear me in the summer :)

I've been in my house now since May and I haven't yet had anyone complain, and my neighbors are I guess I'd say average distance on all sides from me. So far no one has complained and I've even played a bit later at night. Am I pushing my luck? :) My wife has told me that the drums are loud when she's outside, of course that's with all the windows and doors open during hot weather. Now that it's fall, I don't think it will be much of an issue.

[MECHT4NK]

for me it's like imposible to play at home. I have neighbours on both sides of the house where I live direct on the other side of the wall. the only place I think where it would be posible would be in the basement but there is not enough space. this whole situation kinda sucks because I have to go somewhere else to practice and I just know that I could get a lot better if I just could sit down and play whenever I'd want.

[NaturalRaz]

If you are a drummer chances are your going to get complaints. I have even had the police threaten to take me to jail for playing after the neighbors complained about the noise.

Plus...I was not that good...which probably made it a hell of alot worse. These days......I am alot older, and I think about those around me...and if I have a hunch that its gonna bother someone.....I don't play.

Its part of the life of a drummer.

[glynes]

I got extraordinarily lucky with this house ... it's built back into a steep hill, so the whole back half of the lower level is basically underground, including my little music room. Also, instead of the houses being built next to each other, they alternate close to the street, and back from the street, so there's nobody directly next to us.
I ask my neighbors occasionally if the noise bothers them, but usually they look surprised and say, "Oh, right ... I forgot that you play drums!" The nearest neighbor says she can hear me if she's out on her driveway, but not loud at all.

[Creamsicle]

I have been very lucky neighbor wise. While I do live next to a couple of super conservative dentists someone would think that they would want to strangle me everytime I get up in play. But, they actually seem to enjoy it. Every time I see them they say something like, "Keep up the good work" or "You really are getting better, keep practicing." So its actually pretty good, although it is a little bothersome to stop playing at 8:30 because I dont want to piss anyone off.

[hotsauce3n]

In my old neighborhood, i used to practice in my unfinished basement, no problem with the neighbors, only my parents. My old house was not that big so mydrums would be pretty loud. although they have been very supportive i was not allowed to play past 9 at night.

now we have moved and my drum studio is a whole room over the garage. i can play whenever i want without worry about noise, as loud as i want. its separate from the house and neighbors so its great. only problem is its very loud because of hardwood floors, which is why i wear muffling headphones or ear plugs.

for drummers with smaller practice areas, or surrounding neighbors, i would check out some of the drum insulation rooms you can set up around your drums. they are in most typical drum magazines taht sell drums, i dont have any experience with having these but they seem like they would at least muffle some of the sound

[RudimentalDrummer]

When I was 15 ... my neighbour move out because of me, cause the police couldn't do anything as long as I practice between 10am to 8pm.

Today, my neighbours are very close to me (right & left). but no complains cause I have a strategy.....I invite my neighbour's son to my house to play the drums (even though they can't play it) hopefully the parents will not complain about me....so far it works.

Only my wify keeps asking me "Did the police come" every week ...Imagine how angry I am - I know she is hoping that the police will come & tell me to stop playing in the night. What a Wife !

[Thinshells]

I have lived in this place for over 2 years- no problems yet.

HOWEVER

Next year, I am going to buy a place, and I cannot pass up a good real estate deal on the sole aspect that acoustic drums may upset the neighbors.

If it comes down to that, then I will have to go with an E-kit.

I really do not want to be one of those guys that lives like Ma and Pa Kent at the end of a dirt road with the nearest neighbor 2 miles away.

[RudimentalDrummer]

I have lived in this place for over 2 years- no problems yet.

HOWEVER

Next year, I am going to buy a place, and I cannot pass up a good real estate deal on the sole aspect that acoustic drums may upset the neighbors.

If it comes down to that, then I will have to go with an E-kit.

I really do not want to be one of those guys that lives like Ma and Pa Kent at the end of a dirt road with the nearest neighbor 2 miles away.

Bro Thinshells ... must build good relationship with new neighbours especially when we are Drumming .... hopefully they give & take from there...really no other choice....we got to buy them

[NUTHA JASON]

my policy has always been to immediately talk to new neighbours about my drumming. i tell them i am a drummer. i ask them when they are least likely to be disturbed. i invite them over to see and try my drums. i ask them to walk around my house and theirs while i play at top volume and then get their opinion on the level of sound. but usually i don'y ever practice after 8:00pm and never at top volume for more than an hour.

most of this has changed since i got a roland kit.

still talk to new neighbours as they get really pannicky when they see you unpacking a drum kit on weekends. assure them and get them interested.

know the law but don't insist on your rights. compromise heavily and you will find no complaints come your way.
j

[cjl71178]

When I was growing up as a teen, I used to have a sweet setup at my uncle's house. I had a room in the finished basement and it was completely carpeted (walls and floors)...man did my drums sound awesome in that room! I also had my cd player and studio headphones to play along with to my cd's and cassettes. The cops came to my house a bunch of times, but it was primarily from an old lady that lived down the block...literally a block down! She'd only call the cops if she was walking past the house and heard me playing. To my advantage, the cops really couldn't do anything until like 8 p.m. except ask me to "take it a notch down". When my uncle realized what she was up to, he confronted her and told her that if she kept calling the cops, the cops will have a real reason to come back the next time...needless to say, there were no more cop visits. :)

But now that I'm grown up and living on my own, I've never really had a place to practice since then :( The only time I get to practice is when I go to band rehearsal.

My wife and I are looking into houses now...she's looking for one that has a nice kitchen, bathroom and plenty of closets. And I'm making sure it has a finished basement or an extra bedroom that I will make into my music room!

[NouveauCliche]

I've always been really lucky with this... I grew up on a farm. We had the main house, and a trailer sort across teh driveway from the mainhouse, so I set up my drums in the trailer (no on lived there or anything) so I could practice whenever I wanted. Currently, I live in a nice spot with neighbors on three sides...but they're spread out far enough so that it's never really been an issue. I usually practice between 10am and like 5 or 6pm, and in the past three years, i've never had a problem! When I get the urge to practice late at night I usually just use a pad.

[fourstringdrums]

When I was growing up as a teen, I used to have a sweet setup at my uncle's house. I had a room in the finished basement and it was completely carpeted (walls and floors)...man did my drums sound awesome in that room! I also had my cd player and studio headphones to play along with to my cd's and cassettes. The cops came to my house a bunch of times, but it was primarily from an old lady that lived down the block...literally a block down! She'd only call the cops if she was walking past the house and heard me playing. To my advantage, the cops really couldn't do anything until like 8 p.m. except ask me to "take it a notch down". When my uncle realized what she was up to, he confronted her and told her that if she kept calling the cops, the cops will have a real reason to come back the next time...needless to say, there were no more cop visits. :)

But now that I'm grown up and living on my own, I've never really had a place to practice since then :( The only time I get to practice is when I go to band rehearsal.

My wife and I are looking into houses now...she's looking for one that has a nice kitchen, bathroom and plenty of closets. And I'm making sure it has a finished basement or an extra bedroom that I will make into my music room!

I figure that if it's an issue, I'll hear from someone. My area has a suspended tile ceiling, carpeted floor and plaster/wood panel walls. I figure that's enough sound proofing that even if they CAN hear me, it'll be very slight, especially since the neighbor facing my basement windows is divided by a fence. If I do play after 8 it's usually with rutes or something quieter. I don't go all out.

[boomboomda]

I live in a neighborhood where all the houses are built on at least one acre, so my neighbors do not hear me play. I also built me a little room in my garage with good insulation.My wife always says she can hear me in the house, but it is not that bad,she doesn't even have to turn up the tv while I practice.
I like that way, so I never feel obligated to stop because the family is bothered by the noise.

[A thunder of Coxy]

Seems like most of use are in a fairly friendly neighbourhoods, me on the otherhand live in a more streetwise rough area lol thats all im saying. My kit is setup in the shed which is fairly soundproof. Once I had a bottle threw over the fence not sure who by probably the scally kids which live nearby. The times I drum from are around 12-8 so not to bad although once a few weeks back had mates round and alchohol lol, and a friend was going on at me to do a drum solo and in the end he persuaded me and played at 4am rather......very lol loud, next day knock knock the neighbours are there :S.

[sloppyjoe]

When I was 15 ... my neighbour move out because of me, cause the police couldn't do anything as long as I practice between 10am to 8pm.
Wow that is really funny

[glyn]

This is the exact reason I had to stop drumming 15 years ago. - Earlier this year I walked past a music store and spotted the roland Vdrum range and bought one on the spot. Converted my garage into a studio which is where the Vdrums live. I can practice any time and never bother anyone.

One major problem with this is technique (after the cost of course) - playing pads is very different to drums and especially cymbals - When I bought an accoustic set I had to basically start from scratch so now I hire a community hall for three hours a week and practice 2 nights a week at my work with my band using accoustic set to keep what little technique I have.

[RudimentalDrummer]

Wow that is really funny

cause I stay in a 16 Storey Block...and I'm staying at the 7th Floor. The family downstairs at 6th floor move out - cause when I stomp on the Bass ... Their Lamp always fall-offs after a while - must be the vibration I guess. Actually the police don't bother much with these kind of issues, cause they have more important things to do....when they are at my home...Hahahaha...they actually play my drums and they like it, some of them can play it....They tell me "Your neighbour complain so we have to do our job - formality sake - what a joke" ... and I tell them do come again please ... they all laugh....it was fun !

But not the Town Council people, they are nasty...They came knocking at my door...My dad opened the door and that guy told my dad - "Your son is making alot of noises" ...my dad is very supportive and he got angry ..he said "For people who knows how to appreciate these - they call it Music...and for those who doesn't...they call it noise...simple as that, anyway our government encourage Music isn't it?"... The town council just give me a time (from 10am to 8pm) I can hit as loud as I want after that no-playing...so we accepted the terms.

Even today, I stay at the 2nd Floor of my new Home, but neighbours 10 floor up says they can hear me playing everynight...it's quite loud I guess....and I don't close my main door (it's opened)....Cause If I close the Main Door - I can't take it - it's very loud and it will hurt me very much ... so I have no choice. My wify will leave the home and go out for 2 hrs till I finished my practice then comes home. Everyone lock themselves in the room....Oh mine !

[Sorum jnr]

i have my kit in my shed which i (attempted) soundproff but didnt work. but the neighbours havent complained once and i playin 2 years and i a hard hitter so it cool but for the neighbours sake i only play between 12 and 8 and only for bout an hour a day

[Derek Matthews]

I play in my garage with mutes. I can bang away at anytime of the day or night confidently. The later it is at night the softer the stroke. It helps me with control, too.

[drummerboy]

My neighbors don't mind me playing....as long as I stop at 9 pm....other than that they enjoy hearing me play. Some of their kids were all in bands when they were younger so I guess they are used to it.

[driver]

well of my neighbours used to play drums when he was young and always tells me 'keep it up! they are the best instrument in the world!' no complains there! but even though i get no complaints i neva drum too early or late either. im pretty lucky cos it so loud from my garage

[larkin42]

I am very fortunate, all of my neighbors are old people, and they cant hear anything so they cant complain, lol

[Anduin]

So far we've had, what, one person say he's got complaints from neighbours? That's excellent! I kinda expected to hear endless horror stories about bickering and legal threats.

When I was a kid I spent years practicing at full volume in my second-storey bedroom (not much space for much else: kit and bed), and not once did I get a complaint. Houses with families were just a driveway away on either side. I consider myself fortunate.

Whenever I move and get set to practise, I always ponder talking to neighbours first. Thing is, that gives them an opportunity to say "no" right away, and I don't like that option. So I've never done any preemptive schmoozing, yet I've never had a complaint.

Also, sometimes I play a very informal and very loud jam out in the highly-populated 'burbs. We've gone 'til 04:00 in the morning at levels that I think must surely be shaking windows all down the block. Number of complaints: zero. Level of worry on my part about being a bunch of annoying jerks: high.

[LJ4174]

OH Man, do I got a story...

I've lived in my house for just about 3 years. It's a brick cape code built in 1942. My drums are in the basement. Anyway, a quick little background, we moved into our house on a Thursday and that Saturday this particular neighbor (an old hag) rings my door bell and acusses me of messing up her cable. I kept my cool and went about my business although she's very lucky she didn't get an earfull. That was in February... Sometime in August or September, after playing my drums one day around 4 in the afternoon when I got home from work. I literally played 2 songs I learned the night before. Anyway... The doorbell rings again... It's my old hag neighbor... She asked me if I can "turn it down" a bit. I explained that they are an acustic instrument without a volume control. The she said I should sound proof my house... Well that set me off... The wife and I were just getting ready to be married... I made sure she knew that we were getting married and sound proofing my basement for her wasn't in the budget... She said, well I can't enjoy the peace and quite of my house then... I said, well if I can't play my drums I can't enjoy my house and I closed the door... Fuming... Now, 3 blocks from my house is a high school. They have you know foot ball games, marching band practice, etc... Plus it's not like I didn't play my drums in the first 6 months I was there.

Well, one night I was practicing again and the door bell rings. YUP... It was the Po Po... Telling me she called and blah, blah, blah... Funny thing is, they couldn't do anything because there isn't a noise ordinance or anything like like that. The cop even said he didn't see a problem with it, but maybe I should stop for the night. Which I was planning on anyway because it was 8:30... I'm not that much of a "d!ck"

So I still played and stuff and then my wedding day came. The wife was off at the hair salon or whatever and I had a ton of nervous energy so I did like 20 minute drum solo and then went about my day. Well, low and behold, the Po Po came once more. This was like noon on a Saturday. The guy told me the same thing and that the cheif would have to make a decision if she kept calling. I talked to my other neighbors and nobody had a problem except her. I even had one of my friends play and I went outside and it really wasn't that loud outside and I can't imagine it would loud in her house...

After I got home from my honeymoon I did buy a Yamaha E Kit that's pretty cool, but it isn't the same. I still play drums when I want and the cops haven't been out since... Of course that might be because I called the buro on her because her downspouts from her roof were dumping into my yard and running down my foundation. She just got that whole thing taken care of... I wonder how much that cost her???

[franklinj]

OH Man, do I got a story...

I've lived in my house for just about 3 years. It's a brick cape code built in 1942. My drums are in the basement. Anyway, a quick little background, we moved into our house on a Thursday and that Saturday this particular neighbor (an old hag) rings my door bell and acusses me of messing up her cable. I kept my cool and went about my business although she's very lucky she didn't get an earfull. That was in February... Sometime in August or September, after playing my drums one day around 4 in the afternoon when I got home from work. I literally played 2 songs I learned the night before. Anyway... The doorbell rings again... It's my old hag neighbor... She asked me if I can "turn it down" a bit. I explained that they are an acustic instrument without a volume control. The she said I should sound proof my house... Well that set me off... The wife and I were just getting ready to be married... I made sure she knew that we were getting married and sound proofing my basement for her wasn't in the budget... She said, well I can't enjoy the peace and quite of my house then... I said, well if I can't play my drums I can't enjoy my house and I closed the door... Fuming... Now, 3 blocks from my house is a high school. They have you know foot ball games, marching band practice, etc... Plus it's not like I didn't play my drums in the first 6 months I was there.

Well, one night I was practicing again and the door bell rings. YUP... It was the Po Po... Telling me she called and blah, blah, blah... Funny thing is, they couldn't do anything because there isn't a noise ordinance or anything like like that. The cop even said he didn't see a problem with it, but maybe I should stop for the night. Which I was planning on anyway because it was 8:30... I'm not that much of a "d!ck"

So I still played and stuff and then my wedding day came. The wife was off at the hair salon or whatever and I had a ton of nervous energy so I did like 20 minute drum solo and then went about my day. Well, low and behold, the Po Po came once more. This was like noon on a Saturday. The guy told me the same thing and that the cheif would have to make a decision if she kept calling. I talked to my other neighbors and nobody had a problem except her. I even had one of my friends play and I went outside and it really wasn't that loud outside and I can't imagine it would loud in her house...

After I got home from my honeymoon I did buy a Yamaha E Kit that's pretty cool, but it isn't the same. I still play drums when I want and the cops haven't been out since... Of course that might be because I called the buro on her because her downspouts from her roof were dumping into my yard and running down my foundation. She just got that whole thing taken care of... I wonder how much that cost her???



hahaha...love to hear a good story like that...

thats so funny man...keep the stories coming

[fourstringdrums]

OH Man, do I got a story...

I've lived in my house for just about 3 years. It's a brick cape code built in 1942. My drums are in the basement. Anyway, a quick little background, we moved into our house on a Thursday and that Saturday this particular neighbor (an old hag) rings my door bell and acusses me of messing up her cable. I kept my cool and went about my business although she's very lucky she didn't get an earfull. That was in February... Sometime in August or September, after playing my drums one day around 4 in the afternoon when I got home from work. I literally played 2 songs I learned the night before. Anyway... The doorbell rings again... It's my old hag neighbor... She asked me if I can "turn it down" a bit. I explained that they are an acustic instrument without a volume control. The she said I should sound proof my house... Well that set me off... The wife and I were just getting ready to be married... I made sure she knew that we were getting married and sound proofing my basement for her wasn't in the budget... She said, well I can't enjoy the peace and quite of my house then... I said, well if I can't play my drums I can't enjoy my house and I closed the door... Fuming... Now, 3 blocks from my house is a high school. They have you know foot ball games, marching band practice, etc... Plus it's not like I didn't play my drums in the first 6 months I was there.

Well, one night I was practicing again and the door bell rings. YUP... It was the Po Po... Telling me she called and blah, blah, blah... Funny thing is, they couldn't do anything because there isn't a noise ordinance or anything like like that. The cop even said he didn't see a problem with it, but maybe I should stop for the night. Which I was planning on anyway because it was 8:30... I'm not that much of a "d!ck"

So I still played and stuff and then my wedding day came. The wife was off at the hair salon or whatever and I had a ton of nervous energy so I did like 20 minute drum solo and then went about my day. Well, low and behold, the Po Po came once more. This was like noon on a Saturday. The guy told me the same thing and that the cheif would have to make a decision if she kept calling. I talked to my other neighbors and nobody had a problem except her. I even had one of my friends play and I went outside and it really wasn't that loud outside and I can't imagine it would loud in her house...

After I got home from my honeymoon I did buy a Yamaha E Kit that's pretty cool, but it isn't the same. I still play drums when I want and the cops haven't been out since... Of course that might be because I called the buro on her because her downspouts from her roof were dumping into my yard and running down my foundation. She just got that whole thing taken care of... I wonder how much that cost her???

What kind of music do you play? Probably if you had played some big band she'd actually enjoy it :) While I was reading it, I was reminded of the old deaf aunt in Christmas Vacation who couldn't hear someone sitting next to her, but could hear the squirrel in the christmas tree.

Grandson: "GOOD MORNING GRANDMA!"

Hag: "WHAT!?"

Your Ride Cymbal Bell Across the Way: "Ting!"

Hag: "TURN IT DOWN!!!!!!!"

[Smoky_McPot]

LOL that story is funny - In Australia there is no such thing as an acceptable level of noise. The police can confiscate your equipment if you get 2 complaints within 24 hours. And the rule is - get a complaint - stop drummin. Even if its DAYTIME with ppl MOWING THEIR YARDS. Another problem is the police wont help you communicate with the complainant - wont tell u who it is (which is pretty sensible really) but also wont talk to them on your behalf. However with that out of the road i think in most modern houses when you shut all the windows and close all the doors and put a mattress over the window of the drum room the noise outside should be comparable to a lawn mower. I only drum in the daylight hours so i dont think it bothers anyone.

[Capitaine Quebec]

Well, i didnt have any complaint yet in 4 months of playing in the shed. But when we first arrived 4 years ago at the house, the neighbor called the cops about 7 or 8 time in the summer because we "were talking too loud"... but the thing is that he yell like hell at his wife and kid at 6 am in the morning and we can hear it. So when i bought my drum i didnt bother about him. I only play from 1 pm to 7 pm, but i usually come back from school in between 4 pm and 6 pm so they dont hear me that long too.

[jamsjr44]

my policy has always been to immediately talk to new neighbours about my drumming. i tell them i am a drummer. i ask them when they are least likely to be disturbed. i invite them over to see and try my drums. i ask them to walk around my house and theirs while i play at top volume and then get their opinion on the level of sound. but usually i don'y ever practice after 8:00pm and never at top volume for more than an hour.

most of this has changed since i got a roland kit.

still talk to new neighbours as they get really pannicky when they see you unpacking a drum kit on weekends. assure them and get them interested.

know the law but don't insist on your rights. compromise heavily and you will find no complaints come your way.
j


Your just too nice I would never go to that extreme. I mean I respect my neighbors and all, but my house is my house I own it and the local laws around here just state that all music or other noise needs to be decreased by 10pm and that's all I go by. Since I have three young girls I never play past 8pm anyway, but I know I would be highly offended if a neighbor came to me and asked if I didn't mind not drumming at a specific time.
Drumming is my passion and outlet from a long day of work and as much as I wish they weren't loud sometime, I'm not going to stop enjoying playing because of fear of bothering someone else. And there is no way I'm going to invite them into my house and ask them if it is okay to play, because if they say no, then what are you going to do? Not Play? Because if you do, then they would be thinking if your going to play then why did you bother asking my opinion?...LOL As long as your not playing like at 12 or 2 in the morning the neighbors just have to deal with it unfortunately... Oh by the way I built my house four years ago and still have never recieved one complaint.

[aahznightsky]

I got only one complaint from a house in a neighborhood behind my own house and backyard. It was bouncing off the house next to theirs and into their little girls open window.

Various Auralex products took care of that problem (especially now that with improved heads and therefor tuning my drums are way louder).

[insanedrummer]

I never play after around 7:30 but my neighbors always complain. And when they come over to my house my parents always let them in and they allways come into my room and try and talk to me and i just play as loud as i can and tell them i cant hear them and after a while they just give up and shut up. thats my advice. haha

[RudimentalDrummer]

I never play after around 7:30 but my neighbors always complain. And when they come over to my house my parents always let them in and they allways come into my room and try and talk to me and i just play as loud as i can and tell them i cant hear them and after a while they just give up and shut up. thats my advice. haha

Is that true what you did ???? ...Whahahaha ... you are so naughty ... hahahaha ! If I were your neighbour I will surely strangle you ....

[insanedrummer]

yea im just crazy like that haha no its just that the same nieghbor hit me with a car by accident when i was a kid and ive hated her scince so my lifetime goal is to just piss her off. so i guess its a good thing i got into drums. haha if it was a different nighbor i would keep it down becuase i can respect that drums are loud and some people dont like the sound of them. so for all you kids out there dont lisnten to me cause you will probably get into a lot of trouble.haha

[RudimentalDrummer]

yea im just crazy like that haha no its just that the same nieghbor hit me with a car by accident when i was a kid and ive hated her scince so my lifetime goal is to just piss her off. so i guess its a good thing i got into drums. haha if it was a different nighbor i would keep it down becuase i can respect that drums are loud and some people dont like the sound of them. so for all you kids out there dont lisnten to me cause you will probably get into a lot of trouble.haha

Wah hahahaha ... you damn wicked lah ! ... She hit you accidentally "JUST ONCE" and you toture her "AS LONG AS SHE REMAINS AS YOUR NEIGHBOUR" ..... whahaha !.

Guess what is she thinking if she knew the cause of it....She must be thinking - If I had knew this day would come.....I should'nt have step on the brakes the other day ... Whahahahaha ! ... and it's bye bye Bro insanedrummer.

PS: You should thank her for steping on her brakes instead or you can't play the drums now if anything were to happens to your legs .... ok now go bring her for an exotic dinner tonight ! ...hehehehehe

[Fat Elvis]

well, I played with mutes. My neighbors across the street from me (a very nice old couple that always sits on their front porch) said "oh you got a drumset?" i said "yeah, is it too loud? did it bother you?" and since I am always friendly to them, they went "oh no, its just fine -- it does not bother us at all".

They did tell me that they really hear the bassdrum the most. I have read that the lower frequencies are the ones that go through the walls the most, so I pitched the mutes on the cymbals and keps them on the drum heads. So far, so good. No complaints. My neighbor told me that she grew up with her dad playing clarenet or something and that there was always music in her house. That helped. Everyone else on my street seems cool but stays to themselves.

But I will also only play from @ 11:00am to 7:00pm. I will usually stop @ 6pm.

[Dr Drums]

Not such problem to me. I live in a building but still i don't really give a .. about them :)
There is only 1 neighbor there complains alot but he can't really do anything.

[photon]

I see a lot of talk on this and other forums about the disturbance we create for our neighbours while playing, and how some go to great expense to try to lessen noise. And while we all want to respect our neighbours rights, what are our rights as drummers to make noise, and how much noise, and when?.

While I realize these laws differ from place to place, I was curious as to what exactly are some of the laws with respect to noise, and my rights with respect to same. I tried to search the web for some information on my city (Winnipeg, Canada) with respect to this but have not yet come across anything.

I recently started playing again, I know that my neighbours can hear me as they have commented on my playing (positively fortunately), however I can imagine that they much preferred the days when the only noise coming from our home was when I fired the lawnmower up in the summer.

Or should I just take the approach a buddy of mine suggested when I mentioned this to him......"screw them:"!

My bigger concern is my wife throwing the drums out of the house and seeing all my neighbours standing outside appluading.

[Jookbox]

my neighbor is a drummer and i can only barely hear him when i'm outside, so maybe it's no big deal. i just lucked out, by renting a room in a nice house, but i've always had problems playing when i wanted. it seriously stunted my drumming over the years, but i guess i could have used practice pads.

i think around LA you're allowed to be loud up to a curfew. i have no idea what that is, lol. you may be within your limits if it's at a certain time.

[NUTHA JASON]

phone the police and ask them. they should be happy to help if you tell them that you want to know so that you don't break any laws. also talk to your neighbours once you know your legal rights. explain the situation and get their take on it. but only when you know your legal rights. communication is key. having an agreed upon set of noise hours is great. also setting up a forum for them to feel comortable coming over and asking you to be quiet is a way of avoiding problems. things can escalate out of proportion with neighbours so getting them on your side is key. although you have rights don't be stubborn and insist on them.
your friend's attitude is disasterous.
j

[konaboy]

I'm with Jason on this. Talk to your neighbors first off and ask them if you're playing is bothering them. I make it a point not to practice before 9:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m. With that said I've also done some work to a room in my basement to control the sound getting out. When I lived with my parents cut off was 9:00 p.m. Yes we have rights to play but your neighbors also have a right to live peacefully as well. Call your local police or govenment and try to find out any restrictions they have. Be courteous to your neighbors, remember they can make your life miserable by calling the police on you everytime they hear you play if you make them mad. Another thing to keep in mind when you practice is you don't have to play like you're playing for 10,000 people on a huge stage. (I don't know if you do this or not I'm just making a broad statement) This is a perfect way to learn dynamic control. You'll find that the easier you play the faster, more accurate and more solid tempo you can have.

[T.Underhill]

Every time I move I introduce myself to the neighbors and explain to them my hobby. We talk practice times and sometimes I'd walk over and ask them if it was OK to make some noise. If you show them you have the courtesy to take their comfort into consideration you'll normally get a positive response. When I was younger I had the "screw you" attitude...the cops came to my friends house twice during practice. NOT GOOD. Although that lady was the devil I swear.

[lfdy]

Over here in belgium, you can make noise from 8 am until 10 pm.

But if your neighbours think the noise is too hard, than they can call the cops, and the cops will do a measurement, to see if the sound is above the limit.

Luckily, i have good neighbours :)

[insane drummer]

I have never once had a neighbour complain (Most of my neighbours I have known for 10 years... and one is professional bassist) but I have set myself a rule of no drums before 9AM and none after 9PM. I will play hand percussion at any time though. I play Darbuka and talking drum alot in the 9-10PM hour.

[DrumNut]

I'm being booted out of my parent's house as an early New Year's eve present. I keep coming in the house too late after drinking, and a couple of times, knocked stuff over accidentally

I want to continue playing drums. Does anyone play electronic drums in an apartment? This doesnt disturb neighbors right? Is it possible to play acoustic drums in apartments till 10pm?

What is the quietest drum pad?

[NUTHA JASON]

unfortunately the bass drum still creates a thumb because of the weight of your leg, but e kits are very good for close living drum practice. mesh heads are essential as the rubberpads are still very loud. try pintech out if you are on a budget. best thing is not to play all the way til 10 pm anyway. i generally stick to 5 to 7pm times when there is a lot of noise about anyways. also i practice whenever there is noise outside (guy fawks, the dude down the street haveing a party etc etc)
j
ps: read up the thread on nois and neighbours for further good advice.

[WeatherKing]

More info for you at the link below, but ground floor is the way to go in apartments. Noise from the pads won't be nearly as bad as the bass thump that NJ mentioned. I had my e-kit in dorms and worked midnight shifts. On my "days" off (nights) I could play through the night and not wake anyone up. I didn't do it often, and if there was any noise, nobody complained.


http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=2242

[Ashbash]

i got these vic firth muffler pads. they are awesome. no-one can hear me outside my room if i shut the door

[Slayer_metal_head]

Well one thing i noticed is that i pla with my window open sometimes nad noone complains and i can play when my mom is sleeping right above me and she sais it helps her sleep. but yeah when i move out im renting a place where can put my drums and none will complain

[cicatrizoo]

I usually play before people get home from work. so anywhere between 2 to 5. In the evenings I'll work on my practice pad and on tabbing songs out for the next day's practice.
No one's ever complained, so my neighbors are used to it. If anyone new moves in close to us I make sure to play all day while they're moving their stuff in just to prepare them for the experience.

Acoustic drums are pretty much a no-no in apartments. My friend leaves his drums at his parent's house and just goes there for a couple of hours a day to play. I read that Brian Mantia and his friend would have drum battles in the parking lot of some mall after hours.

[mandion]

My brother has electronic drums in an apartment, and he plays until 10-ish, and hasn't had any complaints. He's not sure anyone's living underneath him, though.

[nequada]

e-kit is good for practise...dont think the noise will bother anyone....i use one myself

[DrumNut]

These were very helpful responses, thanks.

I guess we can all use help (Or many can) in this area.

[Funkydrummy]

I play with an acoustic drum in my room, really tiny and I live on campus! what i do is that i also use vic firth practice pad and put the whole set on a old bed comforter and it's cool!
another cool think if you do not want to use the practice pad is to use the Vic Firth Ruth 505 stick and fill your bass drum with covers, pillows, bunch of stuff!
of course it takes time and energy to set it so that you can practice but trust me, it's way better than an electronic drumset with which you're going to ruin your technic....

anyway... keep updating of how it goes!

Rigel

[gr82bagn]

Drumnut,

I don’t play in an apartment I play in my house but I do have neighbors and our houses are pretty close to each other. When I play my eKit I have no problems with my neighbors, it may be a little different if you have people below you. Apartments are a lot closer but if you keep it through the headphones you should be ok. If you have neighbors living below you then you may want to look into additional floor material to help dampen the impact of your bass leg.

[konaboy]

Another thing to think about is looking for a ground level apartment so no one is under you. That way the thump of the bass won't be heard. There's really no way you are going to be able to use an acoustic kit in an apartment. Mesh heads are great but you still need cymbals that make lots of noise. Buddy of mine has the V-Drums, lived in an apartment 2nd floor and said his wife could feel the "thump" of the bass through the floor because of the pedal hitting the head. The only solution I can think of if you end up with someone below would be to talk to your downstairs neighbor before you do anything and see if you can set up some reasonable hours to practice (dinner time probably isn't the best). Be polite and assure them you are playing an electronic kit that will make no real noise just the tapping of the bass pedal should be all they hear. Apartment living is much different than a house. Neighbors are much, much closer and sometimes not as tolerant of noise since they can't really escape to a different area like a basement to get some peace. BTW 10:00 probably too late to practice anywhere unless you live in the country, a bar or have a soundproof studio.

[RMS]

If you use cheap mesh pads with hard plastic rims then you gotta watch out for rimshots, those will carry through walls. The nicer pads with ribber rims are more quiet plus the rim usually has it's own trigger. Or use pads that don't have a head/rim.

[rudy82]

I just recently bought a yamaha dt-xplorer. I was just curious as to what kind
of amp I should get for it. I want to be able to play in my house without blowing
out my kids eardrums as well as maybe hit up some gigs in the future. Any ideas????

[konaboy]

I just recently bought a yamaha dt-xplorer. I was just curious as to what kind
of amp I should get for it. I want to be able to play in my house without blowing
out my kids eardrums as well as maybe hit up some gigs in the future. Any ideas????

You might have better luck and get more answers to this question starting a new thread.

[Crewses]

I have a problem with my Kick Pad because it makes to much noise.

To practise at home I purchased an electronic practise kit consisting of an roland SPD-20 modul 3 V-Drum PD 85 and one Yamaha KP-120 Kick Pad.

The problem now is that the Kick Pad makes to much noise and my neighbour who is living one floor above complains about the noise.

Does anyone have the same problem with this Pad or with similiar ones and has anyone an idea how to reduce the noise.

If not so... are the V-Drum Kick Pads more quiet.

Tanks for each answer

[gr82bagn]

I am surprised that a neighbor above you is complaining, it’s usually a neighbor from below that files a complaint about the volumn of a epad. Seems to me your only choice would be to go with a mesh head pad as they are very quite when compared to the Yamaha pad

[Oldie]

I use a Roland KD 120, it has mesh head and are quiet. I too have neighbours above and on one side. No complaints.

/frode

[RMS]

Unfortunately you may not be able to play your edrums when your neighbour is there...
While mesh heads will soften the noise made by your bass drum pedal beater, there's still gonna be vibration from the weight of your leg coming down...maybe loosen your spring a bit and play heel down?

[Jeff Almeyda]

I actually had to go buy some special sound absorbing flooring because no matter what I did the neighbors complained. They felt and heard the vibration of the kick pad.

[Slayer_metal_head]

Put socks around the beaters or get diffrent beaters for the oedal other than that get a bathtub mat thing with the suctioncups on the bottom and cut out peices to size of the pedal and stick it to the floor and if its a carpet get something hard like wood and put it under the pedal.

[Stuntsunlimited]

Try www.vdrums.com some very inventive ideas there, I had the same problem, until I shot the neighbours downstairs!!!

[phoenix]

The other night I was sitting around watching TV... pretty bored, so I decided to walk into the drum room, turn on the light and just stand there and stare at my drums - something I usually do about 50 times a day. I usually do that late at night when I really can't play for fear of ruining the sleep of all my neighbors. Typical cutoff for me is 7pm weeknights, 8ish on weekend nights.

Friday night I walked into the room around 11:30pm to clean the cymbals, drums and straighten some stuff up. I decided to give one of the toms a slight tap with a drumstick. It sounded pretty good, so I thought what the heck, a small drum roll never hurt anyone.

Things escalated - a small drum roll, a slight crash on the splash. Next thing it was a small roll, double kick on the pedal, light fill. I was still playing pretty quietly, but it was getting louder and louder. I decided to turn on a song and lightly play along with it. Usually I use headphones but I figured I'd skip the phones and keep the volume down on the speakers; play along and if I couldn't hear the song anymore, then I knew it was getting too loud. Remember it's getting close to midnight here.

It's amazing how much better I was playing this time when I was controlled, rather than being a spaz as usual and hitting everything as loud as possible! All my attention was going towards hitting the right stuff at the right time - it made a huge difference, something I'm going to have to start doing whenever I play (not playing as loud).

Given that, I was really getting into a groove. The last few times I've played, it's been pretty bad - no rhythm, drums always sounded out of tune, kept hitting the sticks on the rims.. it was a frustrating week of playing. Since I was getting something going here and feeling good, I decided to do something I do best: rationalize. Let's think of everything my neighbors have done to annoy *me* in the past, hmm.. neighbor Left: dog constantly barks everyday at 4am. Neighbor across the street: that Halloween party that went late into the night, which consisted of 40 little kids screaming as loud as possible. Neighbor right: First of all, their house is huge and I'm jealous. That should be worth something right there. Secondly, my drums are on the far end of the house, away from them.. it's doubtful they'd hear much anyways. I've pretty much rationalized my way into making a bunch of noise in the middle of the night.

Ok, it's time to Jam! Just as the clock struck midnight, I started playing normally. ie. pretty loud, out of control. 20 minutes went by and no one knocked on the door at least; well, not like I'd hear it anyways. The session went very well - it's the first time I played for any length of time on my new layout. I'm constantly moving my drums around and trying different setups - this one felt great, probably the best I've had the toms laid out so far.

12:20am rolls around and I decided to walk outside to see if I was in the clear or not. usual indicators that something went bad - an angry neighbor in her nightgown standing in my driveway, dogs barking, cops in the street.. the like. Instead, I walked out the front door and saw something much different to my suprise: ten kids with a box full of toilet paper, TP'ing the house across the street from me! Frankly I could care less if they toilet paper my neighbor's house. Kids will be kids, so whatever.. just as long as they stay away from my place.

I look across the street and laugh to myself. They all stop and look at me - deer in headlights if you know what I mean. Rather than telling them to leave, or I'm calling the cops etc., I simply ask "So, can you hear me playing the drums?" "Just barely" they reply. "Thanks, and you missed a few spots in that tree!" I said.

I go inside, play a few more tunes and call it good for the night. I looked out the window and saw them just wrapping up the last cactus (sounds like fun to clean up) with some TP. Overall it was a good night, and good to know either A. my house is well muffled, or B. my neighbors are deep sleepers!

Does anyone else share the same problem as me? Everynight before bed it's tempting to jump on the set and play!

[DogBreath]

Does anyone else share the same problem as me? Everynight before bed it's tempting to jump on the set and play!
I guess so. It's after midnight here, and I just got done doing a quiet little solo on my drum set.

[burnthehero]

I used to do the same thing when my parents would go out of town for the weekend, but I wouldn't play more than 10 minutes at a time in case the neighbors could hear me. I miss those days.

[east]

Im lucky where I live, I live about 20 meters away from a huge forest, no neighbours for miles, I can play whenever I feel like hehe, lots of times i'll stay up all night just practicing stuff then when the sun comes up its time for bed lol. For some reason I seem to have more energy and more desire to play at night, not sure why. I actually do have one neighbour who lives about 3 kilometers away from me, on a good day with the wind blowing in the right direction he can sometimes hear me lol.

[Stu_Strib]

Actually that's kind of inconsiderate. Most people won't be honest enough to complain to you, but trust me, they are turning over in their beds jamming pillows over their heads.

I never played past 8, and even then I only played if something was pressing (learning a tune for a gig or something, or get home late).

I think the only way to pull off late playing is if you give home instruction, and even then I'd go around to all my neighbors and explain what it is I'm doing and explain the steps I'm taking to be considerate for them. Not everyone works 8-5 jobs, and I've been a parent of kids that go to bed at 7 or 8, so I would hate to put anyone through any more trouble than kids already are.

[foursticks]

yeah, if i ever played at midnight i'd get strung up and shot there on the spot by my neighbours...

[jangus]

Man. I love playing at night. At night I always have a huge motivation to practice, but usually I can't because my parents are sleeping. But on weekends or nights when my parents are out I play deep into the AM hours. I dont know about my neighbors. I dont know if they can hear it inside their house at night, I guess I wont care until they mention it. But I also find that I play better at night.

[DrumProgressive]

I live in a neighbourhood with where the houses are at least 30meters apart from eachother. I never play past 10 but when my parent's are gone i organize some party's in my home with all my friends and my band members, we allways end up giving a live show for about 20 minutes and we really put up the volume a lot. I mean, even if we're drunk we still put our headphones on =D ! So u can imagine the noise and yet, not a single neighbour has complained.

Or maybe i'm just lucky

[glynes]

I'm very lucky, house wise ... even though the neighborhood is closely packed with houses, my music room is mostly underground, in the basement, and the neighbors report that they can hear me 'a little bit' if their windows are open, or they're out on the street. I guess I'm enough of novelty that they find it amusing rather than annoying.

The only thing that stops me from drumming through the night is my hubby, and the fact that our bedroom is right next to the music room. I've been known to play till 1:00 AM when he was still upstairs in his study with his headphones on.

Honestly, I figure I just have to do some late night practice sessions, because that's when the gigs are going to be, right?
8-)

[toxegendrummer]

I remember last year having someone over to jam with me for the first time in my shed with the carpet up the wallls (which has no effect on sound absorbtion) and i told him that his woosy little amp couldnt overpower my drums.... i was wrong. So we were jamming on some song and because i couldnt hear anything i went inside and went to get some water and i heard the door being banged on so hard it wasnt funny, im talkin they almost knocked the thing down so i answered it and it turned out that some of the neighbours werent too fond of me playin so loud and one of them (still dont know who) had called the coucil and I was given a warning and told me to stop otherwise we would have to be fined. I just thought about it and decided to write every house in a 50 metre radius a letter explaining how this is going to work and i decided to make up my own curfew and have followed it ever since. I havent had any complaints after that. :)

[Stevesmithfan]

Actually that's kind of inconsiderate. Most people won't be honest enough to complain to you, but trust me, they are turning over in their beds jamming pillows over their heads.

I never played past 8, and even then I only played if something was pressing (learning a tune for a gig or something, or get home late).

I think the only way to pull off late playing is if you give home instruction, and even then I'd go around to all my neighbors and explain what it is I'm doing and explain the steps I'm taking to be considerate for them. Not everyone works 8-5 jobs, and I've been a parent of kids that go to bed at 7 or 8, so I would hate to put anyone through any more trouble than kids already are.

Well said Stu. I wouldn't think of playing past 7;30 at night. The older and more mature I am. The more considerate I am of my neighbors.

[Stu_Strib]

My wife and I have our eyes on a country house here in the UK..It is a house (huge by UK standards) attached to a garage and a church (the house is owned by the church). The only thing withing shouting distance is a farm house and the main road through the city.

Its 1100 pounds month lease, and my wife's housing benefits pay up to 1300....Gawd I hope we get it...

Second best part (best part being I can actually make NOISE in the UK) is that its only 4 miles to work, with no stupid congested crap traffic like in Leeds!

[Crazy Mad Drummer]

I dont think play late at night is a good idea if you live with neighbours nearby. but get this my mate who is also a drummer cant even play his drums during the day because the old bag next door complains and the police keep rocking up to tell him off. now that sucks.

[gr82bagn]

Does anyone else share the same problem as me? Everynight before bed it's tempting to jump on the set and play!

Yes, so much so that I opted to get a Yamaha DTXtremeIIs (high end Yamy electric kit) to satisfy the urge. It really helps keep the practice sessions consistent and productive. I’ve actually had times where I was so excited about a difficult fill or new foot pattern I was learning that I would simply stay up real late (2-3AM) practicing it to make sure I wouldn’t forget it or lose the pattern.

[Zeruk]

Muahaha. Living in the south for the WIN baby. Where i live, no neighbors. i could bang the drums untill my arms collapsed and well...if a tree falls in the middle of a forest and no one is there to hear it..does it make a sound? >:D

too bad i live with my parents. being 17 for the lose baby :(

but when they are gone...well...lets just say i never thought an entire house could vibrate, but it does :) (usually due to the music being played on 6 big speakers, but my drums compete with them for the noisiest thing in the house)

[Warlock]

When I was 15 ... my neighbour move out because of me, cause the police couldn't do anything as long as I practice between 10am to 8pm.
QUOTE]

The police can do nothing between 10-8pm? I need to move there!

[toolskid]

v-drums... expensive but the only practical solution to crowded urban living + grumpy neighbours!!

[Stu_Strib]

OH man how I wish I were back in Texas! I could play all day and night and not bug my neighbor. These houses in England are stacked on top of each other! ARghhhh!

I've got 26 more days until I can rent a house out in the country. As long as nobody comes along to rent it before March first it is ours and I'll be jammin' again!

[skippy]

my neighbors on one side cant hear it until they come outside and sometimes they sit and listen. and my neighbors on the other side only complained once when i moved them to my garage for a few hours.

[Will-Myster]

Not too bad for me.
But when people walk by I always do a huge beat and play it louddd.
:-]

[hold-the-groove]

After an intense arguement with my mother, i sat on my kit at 11pm and started playing double bass metal as an anger release.........i heard about it the next day....and the one after that

[Stu_Strib]

After an intense arguement with my mother, i sat on my kit at 11pm and started playing double bass metal as an anger release.........i heard about it the next day....and the one after that


You would have heard it from me after about 5 seconds. And the next day, and the one after that ;-)

[Jimothy]

Electric kit all the way, doesn't have to be the best one on the market, basic yamaha or roland one is plenty. Has transformed my practise times from rudiments on a pad plus usual twice a week at rehearsal rooms with band, to 5-10 hours good solid kit practise at home a week, plus band practise!

[franklinj]

I dont think play late at night is a good idea if you live with neighbours nearby. but get this my mate who is also a drummer cant even play his drums during the day because the old bag next door complains and the police keep rocking up to tell him off. now that sucks.

If theres no noise ordinance, than he can tell the cops that and they cant do anything. I like one persons advice from another thread:

Next time the police are called and cant do anything, walk over to the old neighbor and tell her that the next time the cops are called around here, there will BE a reason for them

[Tyrnox]

I live nights, kind of, I never really go to sleep before 4 or so, often I will jump on my drums around 1 in the morning, or wherever creativity seaze's me most, drumming for me is in a way a need, and addiction, when I have to play, I just have to play... Then again if we didn't have a sound room I don't think I could do this.

[cdawg_2010]

I usually quit around 9 PM on weekdays and sometimes later at night on weekends but i live with my parents and my nieghbors on each side are about 10 feet away so i cant play late really

[arjunchawda]

basically, i am 16 years old, and for bout 8 years, i have played on an acoustic kit in my house (moved it around the house trying to find a good quiet spot for it).....My neighbours always complained every single day....they would only let me play for half and hour to an hour, which i hated, because i want to practise for at least 4 hours a day.....

so anyway....up until yesterday, my dad decided to buy me an electric kit....so he bought me the yamaha dtxtreme IIs.

http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/uk/10_musical_instruments/40_drums/40_electronic_drums/10_dtxtreme/10_dtxtreme_sets/05_DTXTREMEIIs/index.html (http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/uk/10_musical_instruments/40_drums/40_electronic_drums/10_dtxtreme/10_dtxtreme_sets/05_DTXTREMEIIs/index.html)

i excitedly set it up in my room...started playing, and few hours later, the next door neighbours rang and complained about a thumping noise....!!!! and that just really annoyed me.....so i figured instantly it was the bass drum which was the problem....so i dont know what to do now...i have put as rug and two mats under my kit...(especially the bass drum module)......an because my room is upstairs, my parents can hear the noise of me slamming my foot on the pedal from downstairs too......

is there ANY solutions for the bass drum!!?!?!?!??!

[lowender]

hey
i have a similar problem having my kit on the 2nd floor of my house (loft conversion), i started off with an acoustic kit with rubber dampening pads then wen tfor an electric kit.
2 things that may be of help - firstly you can buy anti-vibration/noise flooring panels - i spoke to someone recently about them and they mentioned the brand/model Acoustilay so getting some of that under your kit may help or have you seen those 'Hansenfutz' practice pedals? They have a website (and are about £35)- now these are practice foot pedals that have had good reviews now i think that they also work as triggers, i've not tried either suggestion yet myself but they are a couple of ideas you can look into - if you do please let me know how you get on as i've considered them myself but haven't got round to following it up yet.
Hope that helps

[arjunchawda]

hey man, thanks guys, now this is the kind of feedback and help that makes this forum extremely valuable!

[lowender]

hehe - no worries.

the site for the practice pedal option is...

http://www.hansenfutz.com/


as you will see there is info on it working as a trigger.
Could work nicely.

[lowender]

According to the site it will work with the yamaha (yours) and roland (mine)!

[ssodrummer]

The thing with noise ordinences are, if someone calls and complains they can still come and tell you to stop. Also if there is NO noise ordinence for your city, it applies the same way, as soon as someone feels the need to call about the noise they can make you stop. Ive been through it all brotha and i feel ya.

[brittc89]

The thing with noise ordinences are, if someone calls and complains they can still come and tell you to stop. Also if there is NO noise ordinence for your city, it applies the same way, as soon as someone feels the need to call about the noise they can make you stop. Ive been through it all brotha and i feel ya.
The cops came to my house a few times and saw that the noise was less decibels than the noise ordinance banned and just told my neighbors there was nothing they could do.

[brittc89]

Heres the first part of my local noise ordinance:
It is unlawful to make, create, or permit an excessive or unusually loud noise, or a noise which endangers public safety, or a noise which is harmful to any person, which can be heard without the use of an electronic measurement device or heard and measured in the manner prescribed in section 9.8.103 of this part; except when made under and in compliance with a permit issued pursuant to section 9.8.109 of this part.

[ssodrummer]

Hmm.... must have cool cops? The cops told us (4 different cities) Its not a matter of how many decibels, its disturbing the peace... Maybe some cities cops are more lenient.

[Bluewolf]

Drums themselves violate the noise ordinance in Indianapolis

(13) Drums. The use of any drum, horn or other instrument or device for the purpose of attracting attention by creation of noise to any performance, exhibition, show or sale; except in a parade or place for which a permit has been granted.

I guess I'm ok as long as I didn't mean to attract attention

[RudimentalDrummer]

I hate it when someone knock on my door and says:- "Hey ! can you lower down the volume a little" .. "It's Irritating". "I can't stand it anymore...it's getting on my nerves (I hate this complains)".....such are the complains I received from my 2 female neighbours. The 1st one is staying directly upstairs my unit (who had long stop complaining)...and the other new complainee is just across my block.

The 1st thing I do is ... when I opened my door...I look sternly at them with both my eyes and said "Yes, What Do You Want ? And What's the problem?, ... Is there a Problem ??? " .... I let them say what they want to say. Then I said "Hey I tell you what dial 999 - call the police right now ! ....I'm used to that anyway and by the way, do you know that I have my right and this is my home...the law states that I can Play my drums whenever I want to as long it's between 10am till 11pm in the night?"... Then they will tell me nicely again their problem.....And I would say .. "But I might consider to soften it a little just for you...if you were to talk politely to me - and remember I don't owe you that"....

At the end of the day - They will have to suit my timming...If I practice from 7 to 9pm each night...they go jogging or whatever.rrrr...When I'm finished...they do what they need to...

Anyway, they never came back knocking on my door anymore after that and now .... with my persistant 2 hours of continuous drumming each night..just .last week...a new drummer is born...just across my block (the girl complainee own's block)...Whahahahaha.....So now the situation became worst for her....it must have turn into a nightmare for her ...hahahahahaha ! ... Imagine to someone who hates drum

One drummer within her same block (The New Drummer )
One drummer across her block (that's me - The Nasty One)
One more drummer beside her block (on the right side next to her block - The Rock Drummer).

I have a new strategy now - If someone were to complain again...I only have one thing to tell her/him ..... The solution is .... " Get Used To It "

.

[Stu_Strib]

First of all, I disagree with the majority of these posts. If your neighbors are home and your drums are bothering them, and they come to ask you to stop/quiet down/whatever, then you should stop.

How would you like it if you bought a quiet house on a quiet street, then someone builds a saw mill next to you?

The problem with drums, is that you guys usually play at inappropriate times, at inappropriate volumes. And worse, we play A LOT!

What I don't get, is how can someone hear an electric kit? Do you live in a carboard house? Maybe you should learn to control your bass drum strokes?

If they can hear your sticks on the electric kit, can you blame them? What is more annoying than those hacks at music stores that go sit on the electric kits and start wailing away? (well, other than sitting on the DW kits and wailing away).

The best solution I've found is to go to the neighboring houses and explain what you do and when you prefer to do it. Not everyone works an 8-5 job, so when you bust out your double bass drum exercize at 2 pm, you might be keeping the graveyard shift guy from getting the sleep he needs. Or that housewife with the 8-month baby... or that retired guy...or

Now if your neighbors are truyly just being jerks, and you've tried to appease them, then forget them. If authorities are called, show them what you are doing, how much noise it makes, and explain the situation. No civil minded cop will side with your neighbors (it's an electric kit for crying out loud!)

[NouveauCliche]

I gotta agree with Stu here. I think it's ridiculous to expect all of your neighbors to put with your drumming at YOUR discretion. We're all people folks...I'd absolutely hate to spend a TON of money on a house, and have my neighbour making some kind of racket in the middle of the night or for 10 hours a day, every day. There's absolutely no reason you can talk to your neighbours and find out what time of the day work out for them and work out for you for full on acoust drum practice. If you treat THEM with respect...and you really should since you're filling up THEIR ears with YOUR playing...I'm sure most people with work with you.

If push comes to shove...just toss your pad on a bed or some and work on hand technique until you can play on your full set.

Seriously guys...this whole "Deal with it" attitude is childish and rude.

As for the e-kit...you still get a lot of noise because the actual vibration caused by the pedals and the energy of the kit being transferred through the floors/walls. I'd suggest trying some more delicate hell up playing, which can only benefit you in the long run anyways...and if you have some extra cash, I'd try getting one of these:

http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_hoverdeck/sound_isolation_hoverdeck.asp

They're designed to help isolate the drums from the PA's and sound on stage...but it has the inverse effect of helping isolate everything else from the drums.

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

wait, do you live in a house or an apartment?

[shuffle]

The noise from rubber pads *can* become irritating.

Mesh-head pads are more quiet, and their noise won't travel as well across walls.

Expensive "solution", however.

And from what I read, your neighbors could end up complaining as well with these.

[NUTHA JASON]

as you can imagine this is a much discussed topic among drummers so i have merged your thread with several others. it is a good idea to read though this whole new thread as there is a lot of good advice for you here.

in summary:

1) research the laws of where you live so that you know where you legally stand.
2) approach you neighbours in a friendly concillatory fashion (be prepared to compromise but also be firm about your own rights and minimum requirements). let them know that you will be drumming every day but that you have bought quieter drums and are prepared to try and work with them on a solution.

and furthermore:
examine the flooring in your house. try to find a solid spot. my roland drumkit is set up with the bass drum on an old fireplace. solid stone! see if you can find something similar. if not set the spurs of your bassdrum right against a load bearing wall. this will result in the least resonance of the whole floor (like hitting a drum right next to the rim = hardly any sound)

j

[zildjian_dude101]

The only people that hear me are people walking down the street. Our house is weird though. The inside walls aren't very thick, so my parents can always hear me playing, but the outside walls are thick so people outside or in neighboring houses can barely hear me.

[The Laker]

I use to drive the neoghbours crazy when I was playing as a teenager. And like most teenager I didn't care about things like neighbours. Now that I'm in my fifties I already have QuietPads for my drums. Not only will they allow me to practice any time I want they also allow me to play whatever I feel like playing. At $80 Canadian for a 5 piece QuietPad set it was well worth the money.

[ElvinBaRkerDennis13]

I use to drive the neoghbours crazy when I was playing as a teenager. And like most teenager I didn't care about things like neighbours. Now that I'm in my fifties I already have QuietPads for my drums. Not only will they allow me to practice any time I want they also allow me to play whatever I feel like playing. At $80 Canadian for a 5 piece QuietPad set it was well worth the money.
i'm glad that i looked for this thread, i was going to ask this question, do you guys know anything about drums and apartments??? from what i hear it doesnt seem to be a bad idea, but i may be moving out of my parents house soon, and i DO NOT want an e-kit. but on the whole neighbor situation, man my neighbors, they dont mind me drumming as long as during the week i stop at 9. but i saw this gut that was livin out in the country like somebody said they didnt want, but their band lived their too, and all they did was jam, and record and jam and record and it was amazing, that would be sweet...can anybody help me though?

[(sic)]

i have never had complaints but i do play very loud. my kit is set up in my room :)

[brittc89]

I gotta agree with Stu here. I think it's ridiculous to expect all of your neighbors to put with your drumming at YOUR discretion. We're all people folks...I'd absolutely hate to spend a TON of money on a house, and have my neighbour making some kind of racket in the middle of the night or for 10 hours a day, every day. There's absolutely no reason you can talk to your neighbours and find out what time of the day work out for them and work out for you for full on acoust drum practice. If you treat THEM with respect...and you really should since you're filling up THEIR ears with YOUR playing...I'm sure most people with work with you.

If push comes to shove...just toss your pad on a bed or some and work on hand technique until you can play on your full set.

Seriously guys...this whole "Deal with it" attitude is childish and rude.
You know. It might be childish and rude. But let me tell you right now, I dont care that much. My neighbors called and said I was killing them and so we built a sound proof room. A lot of money to shell out on our part and they still hate us. I stopped caring at that point. It just made me angry.

[Sticktrick]

Childish and Rude?

Yes, indeed. AND extremely egoistic also.

I can only hope that the rest of the world will treat you as ignorant as you treat them. Fact is: Drumming is loud and it is annoying to everybody that doesn´t play. So if you just ignore people complaining just because you have the law on your side, that is extremely unfair. (thats just for the guys who have posted some really strange attitudes above...)

Just think of that: Other people might have work to do, need to focus, need to rest or whatever. You should adjust to them and not the other way around. So before you start bashing your drums and annoy everybody, you should rather go to the people that surround you and talk with them BEFORE. This will make things much easier because people will realise that you care about what they do and how they live and then will very likely be more compromising and forgiving.

And btw: there are so many things you can do.... practise pads, sound proof rooms, e-sets, mesh heads.... and if these things fail, you can at least say that you´ve tried to reduce the noise.

My roomate is a drummer and I am a drummer. I practise A LOT and still I get annoyed sometimes, when he does and I need to do something else that requiers to focus. Imagine how someone has to feel, who doesn´t play drumms...... I don´t even want to think about that.

Since some weeks I use V-Drums in the basement and thats great for everybody. Still: Once a year I invite all the neighbours that can hear me practise over for bbq to make up for the noise.
Having a good relationship with neighbours can be priceless at times - keep that in mind.

[RudimentalDrummer]

Childish and Rude?

Yes, indeed. AND extremely egoistic also.

I can only hope that the rest of the world will treat you as ignorant as you treat them. Fact is: Drumming is loud and it is annoying to everybody that doesn´t play. So if you just ignore people complaining just because you have the law on your side, that is extremely unfair. (thats just for the guys who have posted some really strange attitudes above...)

Just think of that: Other people might have work to do, need to focus, need to rest or whatever. You should adjust to them and not the other way around. So before you start bashing your drums and annoy everybody, you should rather go to the people that surround you and talk with them BEFORE. This will make things much easier because people will realise that you care about what they do and how they live and then will very likely be more compromising and forgiving.

And btw: there are so many things you can do.... practise pads, sound proof rooms, e-sets, mesh heads.... and if these things fail, you can at least say that you´ve tried to reduce the noise.

Having a good relationship with neighbours can be priceless at times - keep that in mind.

You mentioned Childish, Rude, Egoistic, whatever - Then why preach what we don't do - "Human Rights" - We all do have our own rights...isn't it. Meaning ... just because someone hates drumming & that noise (you can never pleased everyone- one man's meat is another man's poison) doesn't means We stop playing.

I mean isn't it funny..You're in your own home (which cost as much as theirs- your neighbours)..They work so do you and maybe you work even harder and the only time you have is that little 1 to 2 hours to enjoy your drumming....and again you have to compromised and pleased all your neighbours.

talking to neighbours each time before you play the drums sounds indeed ethical and ideal.. but not realistic in the real world ... we normally practice everyday ...Do you really think that " it will make things much easier because people & your neighbours around you (I'm not talking about one here - there are many) will all realise that you care about what they do, and how they live, and then they will very likely be more compromising - The answer is no - As long as there is one single neighbour that doesn't like it - Are you really going to stop playing ?...

If the world is as ideal a place as you have thought it would or should be..(That everyone in your neighbourhood is so Compromising & Understanding and that all of them would really Appreciate your kind & considerate acts & thoughts of asking them- You are Dead-Wrong - That's what I call being Ignorant, Childish & truly Naive) - There are neighbours who will think that you are actually seeking their permission to play " Can I play my drums now, Oh..it's only takes an hour and thank you so much" - OMG what a joke ... and then some will tell you not to play them as they hates it - You can't play this hour, or that hour, and you better don't play at all - They will tell you - Their kids needs to study one in the morning & another in the afternoon, and the both parents only comes back after work and they need to rest & relax from 6pm to 11pm, while their kids watch TV, so does their dogs hates drumming - There are thousand and one reasons to tell you not to play the drums)

That's the reason why we have to reason this out according to the law in our country. We can't pleased all our neighbours....and you call that unfair ?????. So what is fair - If your neighbour tells you to stop playing - you stopped and they tell you a whole lots of reasons and you probably sell your drums.

My neighbours play the Piano - Can I tell them to stop - cause I love drumming not Paino. Some neighbours complain about everything (when you do meet some very nasty ones) .... They can complains about you having too much plants (might have mosquito - just because they don't love plants), complain about your dog barking at them, ...it can be anything..so I don't bother...but that doesn't means - I'm being nasty to them.

We have a school just behind our Apartment - and the School Band practice everyday 2 to 5pm and even Saturday. If I'm on leave that day...can I tell the School...can you stop practicing for 4 days as I'm on leave these 4 days and need a break from my work - I want peace???....of course ..NO.

I agree with you that the Fact is: Drumming is loud and it is annoying to everybody that doesn´t play.....So does my wify complains, my dad, my neighbours. But too bad - That's a DRUM, and drums are loud and we all knew that in the 1st place, don't we. If I wanna pleased everyone - I Better Stop Drumming, but no - That's My Right !.and That's My Priviledge...Got It !

[Royman27]

Gee, you guys talk in a real smart manner?! Haha, wish I could speak like that ^L^. Anyway, I just stop playing when I see the house across me turns off they're lights, cuz that's obviously a sign A) They're sleeping B) Trying to study. I just stop when I see a sign. Every once in a while, I look out the window and see a lot of lights off, occasionally kids, sometimes my friends, door bell ditching w/o me or t.p.ing, those are signs to stop, cuz obviously you don't wanna t.p. someone that has their lights on that can see the shadow of the t.p. ^L^.

[Fat Elvis]

Blah Blah Blah B-Blah Blah Blah..... That's My Right !.and That's My Priviledge...Got It !

Just an FYI: Even in the Constitution, all rights are relative and not absolute. Meaning, your right to play drums does not come before someone else's rights not to hear them. i.e. your right to yell "FIRE" in a crowded theater (which falls under Free Speech) infringes on the theater patrons rights to not be put in danger by a rushing crowd. My 10th Grade history teacher put it best: Your rights end where someone else's begin

[Bernhard]

....So does my wify complains, my dad, my neighbours. But too bad - That's a DRUM, and drums are loud and we all knew that in the 1st place, don't we. If I wanna pleased everyone - I Better Stop Drumming, but no - That's My Right !.and That's My Priviledge...Got It !

Well, your wife loves you and perhabs your drumming, but I suppose your neighbours don't.

Bernhard

[RudimentalDrummer]

I see....I see... but then again.

Lets put it this way. Many in my neighbourhood love to sing (We call it - Karaoke) .... but not so OK actually. The Music is loud and many sing like a Frog. Well I know these people are enjoying themselves singing and that's their hobby - They love to sing. It will be rude for me to go over knock on their doors and says - Can you soften the volume...Oh and by the way - You sound like a frog .... kekeke .. No of course I will not do that.

Likewise, I love to drum, and this is call a (Give & Take) - How can it be a one-way-street ?

If I can condon and understand (Let It Be - that's his business & I just mind my own ) ... I expect the same.

[RudimentalDrummer]

Just an FYI: Even in the Constitution, all rights are relative and not absolute. Meaning, your right to play drums does not come before someone else's rights not to hear them. Your rights end where someone else's begin

Since you said that...do you really feel that your neighbour have the right (any single one of them) to tell you on your face - I can't stand the noise so can you stop playing the drums from now onwards - and you will smile and agree, apologise and listen to what they tell you and stop drumming from then on...Will You?.Honestly ?. You quoted - "Your right to play drums does not come before someone else's rights not to hear them."

Yes in any Constitution all rights and rules, policy whatever can be changed...but not as anyone or Authority pleased. They have to Vote to change something... right?. It happens that in my country - Our law is such - 10am to 11pm and that's the law now (nobody is above the law)..unless they changed it then of course...I loose my right and abide by it.

I mean US is huge and make up of different states - Among the states, there exists different regulations and it varies among the states too....and So, what the diff ?

[jpekarek]

I Better Stop Drumming, but no - That's My Right !.and That's My Priviledge...Got It !

Glad you're not my neighbor! Because I also have the right NOT to have to hear someone else's noise. I love drums, but that doesn't mean that I want to hear it all night. Drums or no drums, nobody has the right to disturb other people. When you grow up and have your own family, you will understand a little more about this.

My neighbor has an old beat up truck with no exhaust, he fires it up every morning at 5:40am. At least he did until everyone started talking to him about it. He at least had enough respect for other people to do something about it.

[secondXheartbeat]

I've never had any complaints from my neighbors about drumming. once, my mom asked the neighbor lady if she can hear the drums. She said only when she gets the mail, and that through the window she thought my red marble wraps were pretty with the cymbals!

In fact, the only drum related complaint I've ever gotten was when at school I was practicing marching snare in a practice room and the orchestra director came in a yelled at me and kicked me out because he couldnt hear his rehearsal!

[beefythedrummer]

I've never had any trouble with my neighbors, and there are houses in all directions of me. The only thing is that one of my neighbor's wife works a weird schedule so I can't play before 3 p.m. but other than that, I'm free to do anything. Infact, one of my neighbors thinks it's cool to be living next to a drummer.

[C.J]

Just found this U.K site four noise solutions. Cheap too. The screens look interesting.Cheap acoustic mats for floors and wall - seven quid per metre.
http://www.customaudiodesigns.co.uk/index.htm

If I'm not allowed to post links then just put "custom audio designs into Google.

[staind_1603]

well i moved into my new house about a year ago, ive been drumming everyday for half an hour ever since, no complaints until yesterday :( i came out and heard the neighbours talking i heard them say stuff like "its just not fair, i want my peace and quiet, i payed so much money to live out here and all he does is wreck it" blah blah blah My parents also payed alot to live out where we live so TUFF!, but get this, this is the best bit, she goes, this week has been the worst! funny that i was in brisbane for the whole week so i wasn't playing at all!, so now i have started to build a drum room for the stupid lady, everyone else in my street loves to listen except her, ive spent 6 hours on it already, half way done, i might post some pics up when its done :) but anyway point of post is i hate neighbours! :(

[jpekarek]

How come every kid that lives with thier parents think it's thier god given right to disturb everyone in the niegborhood with noise?

[rendezvous_drummer]

The great thing about where i live is that i can play from 10-6. it's awesome although i only play 3 hours of the given time. I already posted what happened at 9pm with one neighbour, but that neighbour has moved now. My mom went to this going away party for one of my neighbours who was really good friends with us, and when my mom walked in, all of my neighbours were talking about the drumming and the band. We were the discussion of the whole thing pretty much and it seemed as if they didn't have a problem with the noise. I'm just very skeptical about when i have to move into the city and i won't have all of these kick ass neighbours, i'll have grumpy people next door......better start saving up for an electronic kit.

[frogpond4]

I live in a semi, when my son started playing I wouldnt let him practice after 6pm, now I play and play I find that I need to practice after 6, so I bought some rubber mats for the kit and they keep the noise down. Unfortunatley being new to drumming I find that the diffrent sound I now get is undermining my ability to judge if my kit is outa tune etc.
A roland TD6 is on the cards but it is lot of cash for somthing I dont really want! So I bought a double garage ! I hope that it will be up by the end of the month, my hubby will have his half for his guitar making and i get my half 5m square, for mine and my sons kits.
That should enable me to play as and when I choose! As for moody neighbors mine have dogs that bark day and night, I we never complain soooooo I dont think we would have I problem, I like to think that I am being considerate and having my our own little practice space at the bottom of a very long garden rocks!

vodka kisses Em

[RudimentalDrummer]

How come every kid that lives with thier parents think it's thier god given right to disturb everyone in the niegborhood with noise?


Hahahaha...well I guess like my dad says...To those who knows how to appreciate "Music" they don't call that - "Noise" and vice-versa.

[Melvin]

I've been lucky these five years. The only neighbor that complaints is the front neighbor, but I talked to her aboout the noise and she said that as long as I play before or after her favorite T.V. novel it's ok.

[PeartWeckler]

I'm in an apartment on the third floor, so no way can I play there. And I won't play the practice sets. I'm going to have to rent a space somewhere. Hopefully, it will be accessible 24 hours. I may even have to sound proof it.

Would love to get a house, but can't afford it right now.

Steph

[Stu_Strib]

YWe all do have our own rights...isn't it. Meaning ... just because someone hates drumming & that noise (you can never pleased everyone- one man's meat is another man's poison) doesn't means We stop playing.

...and again you have to compromised and pleased all your neighbours.



Noise Ordinances mean "we stop playing". Most municipalities have one, even in Singapore. Your "human rights" end where your local ordinances begin.


talking to neighbours each time before you play the drums sounds indeed ethical and ideal.. but not realistic in the real world ...

We didn't say everytime. We said be respectful and go around to your neighbors and explain you play drums and ask them if they have any special circumstances that your normal drumming time would interfere with. If your neighbor works midnight to 9 am, I don't think he'd like drums going on at noon.

There are neighbours who will think that you are actually seeking their permission to play " Can I play my drums now, Oh..it's only takes an hour and thank you so much" - OMG what a joke ... and then some will tell you not to play them as they hates it - You can't play this hour, or that hour, and you better don't play at all - They will tell you - Their kids needs to study one in the morning & another in the afternoon, and the both parents only comes back after work and they need to rest & relax from 6pm to 11pm, while their kids watch TV, so does their dogs hates drumming - There are thousand and one reasons to tell you not to play the drums)

You are missing the point. I tell my neighbors that I am a professional musician (not true) and that I make lots of noise. I SHOW them that I fully intend to respect their rights too, which puts them at ease, which causes them to be less belligerent towards me. You can kill a whole bunch of preconceptions wiht a 2 minute greeting.

It's called being a responsible adult.


So what is fair - If your neighbour tells you to stop playing - you stopped and they tell you a whole lots of reasons and you probably sell your drums.

The sooner every young person is taught that life isn't fair, the sooner the majority of society's ills will go away!

Some neighbours complain about everything (when you do meet some very nasty ones) .... They can complains about you having too much plants (might have mosquito - just because they don't love plants), complain about your dog barking at them, ...it can be anything..so I don't bother...but that doesn't means - I'm being nasty to them.

Yes, these are called covenants. When you own property (and devote 30 years of your income) you probably want to feel safe knowing your neighbor isn't going to have a dog kennel of 30 dogs, or start a chicken farm, or start a scrap heap in his driveway. Again, it is all part of being and adult.

Seriously, you are giving drummers all over the world a bad name.

[Rhythmic]

Hi this is my first post on drummerworld because this subject is quite important to me.

About two years ago i used to play drums in my garage while my bro was on guitar and keyboard. then someone rang up and complained and then i had to just play drums by myself. anyway a couple of years down the line i can only play 20 minutes every other week day night, i.e. monday wednesday friday. i have to find a solution to this because it is frustrating to say the least, especially after watching videos of drummers and being inspired yet not able to practice. there arent really any places to take my drums and when i do they always get damaged, anybody got any ideas? cheers

[Frantic Freddie]

Interesting thread....

I can't address any of the laws in other countries,but as an American Realtor (and let me point out to my friends in the UK,we're nothing like your "Estate Agents",some of the stuff they pull would at best lose us our license & at worse get us time in the Gray bar Hotel) one of the basic tenets of home ownership is "quiet enjoyment".The quiet doesn't necessarily mean volume,but it certainly applies.You don't have the right to annoy people,you certainly do have the right to attempt to reach a compromise with your neighbors.The attitude "They're jerks 'cause they don't like my drumming" doesn't help at all.

That said,I really haven't seen any concrete suggestions-other than mesh heads & e-drums- on how to go about being able to practice & not bother people.

When I lived in an upstairs apartment I had a Remo practice pad kit (yeah,I'm old,so sue me ;) ) & the thumps would go thru the floor.So I scrounged some plywood & carpet,put about 4-5 layers of carpet under the plywood that I also covered with carpet & it worked beautifully! The other thing I did was put it right up against the wall,so it wasn't in the middle of the floor which is the most resonant part.

Now before you say "I'm poor,I can't afford plywood & carpet!",I got the stuff for free,the plywood came from a building that was being torn down,I just walked up & asked for it (DO NOT pay the demolition site a late-night visit,the material may be thrown away,but the cops take a dim view of anybody taking stuff from a construction site,even if it's in the Dumpster) & I got the carpet from the company that re-carpeted one of the other apartments,again,I just asked for it.

I have other plans for sound-proofing that work very well in houses,but some of them involve diagrams & I ain't got 'em drawn up yet.

[Rhythmic]

Thanks, i do appreciate my neighbours rights for p&q but it does get frustrating. i think im gonna get some practice pads and/or find a place to leave my kit, il have to :(. but cheers anyway ;)

[Jookbox]

never consulted with my neighbors. i know they can hear me, but no complaints. i know the guy to the left has a son that plays drums and i can hear them when i'm outside. the guy to the right blasts his music with his backyard soundsystem and i can't hear anything indoors. so i dont think he can hear me. for the past year i've been able to play at home, (renting a room in a house). i never had this opportunity and i've been drumming for about 14 years. i have the experience of someone with 3 years of drumming including the past year.

[Davidb59]

I'm at the stage of trying to decide between an ekit and acoustic drums. If I go acoustic how good, for drumming and reducing sound, are silencing pads? I would much prefer to go acoustic but only if I can get to play them. I really don't want to annoy my neighbours - as a lawyer I see neighbour disputes too often and know that there is no solution once you have a dispute. The only answer is not to get into that situation in the first place

[thewanga]

Hi, was wondering (this is more of a question to uk drummers)
is there actually a law which states that you can or cannot play drum kits whenever you want whatever time in your own home because im moving house soon and obviously like any drummer i want to play my kit as much as i want but i will have neighbours all sides (they're all old so im sure they wont hit me or anything if i play too much but do they have the right to call the police if i am drumming loudly in my home or garden during the day ? I kknow there is a way round this electric "kits" but i already havre a cheap one and really dont want to splash out 2 grandish on one that will actually perform and sound like a real drum set its just not worth it cause from my opinion it will be a long time intill anyone 100% simulates a real kit properly.

thanks

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

There's no laws, but if I were you I'd make good friends with the neighbours or at least warn them. You could be arrested for a breach of the peace or the like although there are no specific laws concerning drum kits or loud noise in general.

[thewanga]

ah i see thanks so basically you could get arrested if the neighbours are not okay with it... damn it this sucks why does it have to be so hard to be a drummer eh

[Jookbox]

neighbors on the left has a son that plays drums :) neighbors on the right blast their own music everyday (they have a bose backyard sound system), so i'm cool. never got a single complaint.

[KLittle123]

The Walls of my house are like paper thin and my brother said you can hear me two blocks down, I've got one complaint one time. I had my drums out in the garage for like...a day, and someone (they didn't put any names, just a typed piece of paper) put a piece of paper saying "PUT DRUMS IN BASEMENT" in like giant letters. It was like this...


PUT DRUMS IN BASEMENT

[da cheese walks]

thats the problem with livin here in ireland...

noone has basements here....its like unheard of?!

i used to practice daily in my house when i started drumming,until my old neighbour (who it turns out thought i was mentally retarded...!!!old hag...) actually walked into my house one day when it was only me in teh house,walked into my bedroom where i was playing drums,i absolutley crapped myself,not knowing who the hell was walkin into my room,an i screamed an dropped the sticks!she started screamin at me about callin the Gardai (irish police) an she walked out of the house. i was then only given 3 hours a day in which to practice...5-8pm...it was awful,cos id have band practice every sunday,an we cud only play for these 3 hours..an it was in a tiny front room which could barely fit all 4 of us an our stuff!!

when that old hag moved out an my new neighbours moved in,i had the same problem but i was quite obliged to limit my playing to those 3 hours as theyre nice people,and the woman is a nurse,so sometimes works nightshifts...so band practice continued for 3 hours every weekend,with the neighbours(being so nice as they are) lettin me play for most of the day before a gig.

but just a few days ago since my dad works in my school,an since the school has bin empty since june,hes said we cud use the school for band practice!so now we can practice whenever we want for how long we want,stoppin for a bit of basketball in the gym every so often!haha!its amazing how much crazyness a band has to go through to actually get a decent practice space!

[drumbandit]

im pretty lucky as well my neighbours seem to congratulate me on my drums, as they can hear in summer time.i guess thats pretty lucky coz i can practise anytime

[CVdrummer]

im lucky enough for my neighbors not caring.they actually congratulate me wen i walk outside my hosue for the improvement i make. lol

[Vegard]

after torturing both my parents and my neighbours for 7 years by having my drums in the living room, they were all happy when i recently put them in the basement in my own room.

[TomasHakkesBrain]

I have neighbours who complain about my jazz drumming when they are lying in their back garden sunbathing!. I wait until they put their suncream on then i start playing angel of death!. Its under 80dB from other property in the UK apparantly so they cant do anything..

Talk to the neighbours first man-they will probably be cool. I bought a Roland Kit which i play at like 2 am!. I feel self conscious occassionally and wont try to do the crazy $hit when i know others can hear!.

[rendezvous_drummer]

Great news for myself. Two of my neighbours just moved away so that frees up more time for me to play, and the other families are rarely ever home anymore so now apparently I can play as late as 9 PM.

[geek_boy_in]

actually my current situation is a bit opposite...... When i was in high school and college i used to live in an apartment with a cheap acoustic drum. i used to cover it with clothes and stuff to muffle the sound but still the hihat was loud anyway ....... But no neighbour complained ....even though the sound they could hear was dhab dhab dhab ........

now i live in the ground floor of a huge house with the landlord upstairs .... proper walls with enough distance ...... ....but cause am a bit richer than what i was in highschool I have got myself a Yamaha DTX3 ......... talk about buying the wrong stuff at wrong situations lol ...

anways ... am happy with my ekit ... atleast when i shift to a rented apartment soon ..i would not have shouting neighbours ....

come to think of it ... maybe because of this handicap of drum sounds prolly we have less drummers than guitar players ........

HAIL e-KIT !

[drumminjohn]

i know this is an old thread but i had a question.. i was having band practice about the middle of the summer, it was like noon ish and someone called the cops, i admit we were playing loud but the officer said we were so loud that next time he got a call about us playing too loud he would arrest us and we would spend the night in jail.. was he b-s-ing me or can they really do that?

haha by the way we havent had a jam session at my house since then, guitarist got spooked and bassist's dad is a retired cop or somethin so he didnt want to get in trouble with him

[gusty]

he said it was about noonish

[Batera945]

i'm pretty sure that noon is an OK time to play.... just i dunno try soundproofing or ... i'm pretty sure there is a thread here taht talks about soundproffin so just try lookin for it

[defunkt]

The only time I ever got a complaint was because my next door neighbour had exams and she wanted quiet for just the one day.
Too bad for her I had already invited the band round to play at my place and they are crazy loud guys so that would've pissed her off haha.

[badlydubbedsean]

I used to spend some time in my shed, with drum mutes on the drums, by the way, and my neighbour would come and reach over the fence to bang on the shed wall a few. First few times he tried I didn't realise what happened and just carried on, but I saw him walking back up the garden later and realised what was going on. . . which made feel a little guilty but hmm. Now I have to just do 30 minutes a day limit, unless I'm not at school while the neighbours are at work.

[Mike Firth]

My drumset is in the basement which is pretty silenced, but some of neighbors can hear the sound if the windows or open or me and my band are playing. They are nice and cool tho, they enjoy listening to it :]