Double Bass Practicing upright bass in my 2nd floor flat

[chrisbone]

Hey,

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for me not to disturb my neighbours underneath me when I'm practicing, any sound deadening ideas?
Thanks

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Practice mute, a light touch and a thick skin.

 

[Reiska]

When I got an acoustic db at home in the beginning of this year I left a note for my neighbours saying that if the practicing disturbs, please don`t hesitate to ring the doorbell or call. No-one has complained about it. I play on a fat carpet to dampen the resonance a bit and completely stop practicing 21.00.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'd say that the thing you're really going to need to worry about is transmission of vibration through the endpin into your floor/their ceiling. It's not so much the sound in the room for your downstairs neighbors. So that's what you need to insulate. If you're really contentious, build a platform box, fill it with sand, put a top on it and then support that sucker with that Auralex pad.

 

[chrisbone]

That all sounds great! Practice mute = foam sponge? I was worried about the endpin transferring sound downstairs, would some folded towels work (might just ask and leave my number with them like Reiska said)

Thanks

 

[Anonymatt]

Give 'em hell.

The lady downstairs told me the other day that she loved it.

It's always irritating when some jackass gets behind his drumset every now and then in an apartment building, but if you're seriously practicing your scales and stuff every day, I think most people would tend to respect that during daylight hours. Music doesn't come from nowhere.

 

[Dogbertday]

Communication is good daytime is good. Look for a practice mute at golihur music.

I'm in the same situation. Quite practice also helps. And has forced me into good technique as well.

If they're even kinda cool they won't mind much...


Your results may vary.

 

[chrisbone]

Just checked out the gollihur mute, looks good. I will have a chat if I can with everyone and let them know the score, if I can't I will leave a note.

Thanks everyone, practice will continue!

 

[johnvic]

I'm facing this problem and I've decided to approach it differently. Until someone complains you are only projecting your fear of complaints on your neighbors. You really have no idea how loud it sounds to them or if they really notice it that much. My advantage is that I work from 7 am until 1 pm, so practice is before 5 pm on most days. The other day I didn't practice because I worked late, I thought they would hear it. Well musicians have to be heard! I was worried about them, without any objective reason to be, more than I was worried about getting in daily practice. I say practice at a reasonable time of the day and if they complain work something out.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Work out which of their rooms is directly below where you practice, then adjust timing accordingly.

Also, work out which rooms they use the least (bathroom, laundry, toilet, etc) and try to set up above there.

Practice repetitive things when they're not home, and 'pretty' playing when they are home.

Change it up every 20-30mins so it doesn't start to grate.

 

[Tom Lane]

How about this: print out a set of notes, one for each neighbor you're concerned that you might disturb. Include your name, apartment number, and phone number. Inform them that you are a bass student - giant violin - classical? jazz? - and need to practice at home but that you don't wish to disturb anyone so if they're ever bothered by your practicing, ask them to please phone you or knock and you will stop. You don't actually have to stop if you don't want to, but you'll get a chance to find out who's being disturbed and maybe work out a schedule that won't bother them and set your concerns to rest. It's tough to practice well when you're afraid you're irritating someone who could cause you trouble.