So, my neighbor is angry...

[Benjamin Earl]

First, find out the noise ordinance in your town. There is probably a time limit or a decibel max. Follow the law. Second, put some type of sound proofing in that window. Third, tell him nicely to suck it.

 

[Pharsalien]

If he keeps being a jerk I'd say make more noise. Start building a shed or something that requires lots of nails and power tools, get a camero and Rev it up in the drive way when you're working on it...and lots of death metal loudly.

 

[VigierUSA]

Your neighbor was a complete jerk. I wouldn't sweat it too hard as long as you're not breaking any laws.

HOWEVER... these kinds of threads/conversations always make me think about what may be my favorite comment on Reddit ever:



I seriously doubt anything like that is going on with this maniac neighbor of yours, but always something to consider!

 

[carl h.]

Your neighbor was a complete jerk. I wouldn't sweat it too hard as long as you're not breaking any laws.

HOWEVER... these kinds of threads/conversations always make me think about what may be my favorite comment on Reddit ever:



I seriously doubt anything like that is going on with this maniac neighbor of yours, but always something to consider!

I had a similar phenomenon when I lived in IA. A club 2 1/2 miles away sounded like it was on the other side of the block from my house.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

My neighbour three floors up knocked the door a couple weeks ago. He said "oh that's where the music comes from."

He was pretty decent about it, said just limit it to daytime which naturally I do anyway and usually in 30 minute bursts 2 or 3 times a day.

I was happy he described it as music.

Generally people are ok if you're reasonable but some you just can't get through to. As long as youre adhering to local laws (Amsterdam has some strict laws specifying decibel levels at different times of day) no one can do more than stamp their feet.

But try and stay friendly with your neighbours even if they're idiots.

 

[Johnny Crab]

Find that "kinda' crazy with a spooky little girl like you" kid seen below:

NOTE: The above is sarcasm/humor and not to be tried at home or at someone else's home....

 

[kurth83]

I live in an upstairs condo, so I nave a never ending tale of trying to be quiet. I do see it as my responsibility to be quiet however, I regularly talk to my downstairs neighbor to make sure she doesn't hear anything. I must confess however, I am not always successful.

Quite simply, anything bass carries through the floor, which pretty much means bass and drums, and since I play both it has been fun.

I had the floor insulated with extra sound-reducing layers, it helped, but didn't solve the problem.

Of drums and bass, drums are more difficult, even though I play electronic drums. For bass I can practice with a tiny table-top amp (Yamaha THR-10), turned down, or use a pocket pod with a nice set of headphones. Neither causes any problems.

Drums must be on an impact-noise-absorbing platform, since the kick-pedal acts like a rubber mallet hitting the floor (it took me several tries to get it right, and my downstairs neighbor patiently endured me during that period). I recently got a finger drum, and was amazed to find it goes through my horrible plywood floors too, but it's fine on the sound absorbing platform.

When I retire I would like to own a house on a large plot of land somewhere, and soundproof the windows in a practice room, and finally be able to crank things up a bit. I'll probably put in a multi-layer rubber floor too.

 

[trackskinz]

Last year we moved into the country, into the quietest neighborhood I ever saw. At 52 I may be the youngest person here. It just so happens my across-the-street neighbor in none other than Stan Lynch. Anyway, one Friday night about 10 we were jamming in the garage, and way too loud. Suddenly I see three unfamiliar faces in my driveway, so I shut it down and ask if we were too loud. One guy at least 7- was SWEATING and grinning. "NO! I thought Stan had Tom and the boys back in town so I ran three blocks to listen". (we had been playing Mayjane).

 

[Wesley R]

Try talking with the guy when/if he is sober.

 

[matthewbrown]

Since it's legal during the hours you plan to play, I suggest making an effort to let your neighbor know 1)That you understand how he feels 2) when you will be rehearsing 3)that you will limit the time and volume out of consideration for him and 4) you hope to maintain a neighborly relationship, so that if he ever needs help, you consider his understanding of your rehearsals as a favor you hope to return, in neighborly fashion.

 

[tedious1]

The local ordinance says no noise can be audible at the property line between the hours of 10pm and 7am. This includes but is not limited to musical instruments or loudspeakers. I think that covers me legally but I still have to deal with a cranky neighbor. Bummer...

Dude, you need to consider the possibility that he is one of those people who can't stand themselves unless they are pissed off at the world, or their neighbour, or that guy on the tv commercial. You've done your due diligence, you've tried to be reasonable. IF, and only IF you think he was intoxicated, you MIGHT consider broaching the subject with him when he's sober. But I doubt it will be any better.

Honestly, at this point, I'd drop in his mailbox a copy of the town noise ordnance, and your local real-estate listings, with some properties in the country circled for him...

 

[darkblack99]

Speaking as a musician who actually got put in jail overnight once for noise violations by an irate neighbor who had been complaining incessantly about others in the building (I & my guitar player were lucky complaint 13) when we were playing acoustically and quiet enough to hear the air conditioner over the sound in an apartment with windows shut - I would recommend proceeding with caution as far as the neighbor is concerned.
A vengeful old creep with nothing better to do but raise drunken hell with anything that troubles their beautiful, disordered mind can ruin your day. That being said, in a modern world the opportunities for legitimate (and not so legitimate ) payback when such antisocial behaviors are exhibited are boundless...As my nemesis later found out to his dismay.

 

[Engle]

The first thing to do is to go talk to the neighbor again, in the morning or early afternoon, at a time when you aren't (and haven't recently been) playing. This way you can catch him at a time when isn't furious at you and (hopefully) isn't drunk. Offer another apology for "the other day," and then see if you can have a reasonable, adult conversation about it. Maybe you can work something out around his schedule so that you can practice when he isn't home, for example, or come up with some kind of arrangement you both can live with. I wouldn't be too optimistic about this working, but it's certainly worth a try.

Otherwise, I'm afraid you're going to have to find another place to practice, even if you have to rent rehearsal space somewhere.

What Lobster11 said is same thing I would suggest. Try to go back and have a friendly conversation when neither of you has been drinking. Try to do more listening than talking so you can work something out. Put yourself in the other guys shoes.

Also you could look at a headphone system - jamhub?

 

[Billybladez66]

I haven't read all so I hope I'm not repeating. Look up JAMHUB and look on Amazon for the Alesis Dm6....a little investment could solve all your problems....

 

[Billybladez66]

Here is a pic if it....it's made for your situation...

 

[PerditaX]

I friend of mine who is a professional musician (violine - so not exactly quiet) always introduces herself to her neighbours when moving somewhere new, tells them she is doing music for a living, makes sure "normal" times (after 9am, before 9pm) are ok for playing or if there are any sleeping children or shiftworkers around and leaves her phone number. So far, she never got into any trouble.
Your neighbours sounds like a proper jerk though. I would try to have a peaceful conversation and a beer with him anyway - might have just had a bad day and took it out on you.

 

[mdogs]

The worst advice you are getting here is to talk to the police, absolute insanity. Its like:

You call the police
them, "Mayberry Police Dept, how can I help you?"
you, "yes, I live at 1313 Mockingbird Lane, what is the punishment if I get caught smoking pot in this town?"
them, "you said 1313 Mockingbird Lane, right?"
you, (hitting yourself in the head with your shoe)
you, "you hear that, I'm so wasted..."

Seriously, put the police on alert that you are either going to be breaking the law or at a minimum just pissing off your neighbors...wow.

The reality is that it makes little difference in most municipalities what the sound ordinance is, if you are infringing upon other peoples quiet enjoyment, you are going to have a problem.

 

[two fingers]

Next time he complains mow your lawn.

A skill saw is so much louder and the sound of it is like the world's largest dentist drill. Maybe get the cheapest used saw you can find and a cheap piece of plywood. Set it up on his side. Then just spend all day cutting 1/4" straps of it off one at a time. I bet there isn't a LEO in the land that would shut you down for doing "home improvement" work.

When the neighborhood or comes out to yell at you just say "It's this or the band man. Take your pick."

(This was just a fun fantasy joke and not intended to be taken seriously. But seriously, if you do it, report back.)

 

[Freez]

First of all, your jam space should have some kind of soundproofing, and you don't play at concert volume in a residential neighborhood. That being said...

I'm assuming you're in a private home and not an attached apartment, yes? If so, and if everything you said is true, then let him call the cops. There's one in every neighborhood, that guy that thinks because he pays taxes he's got a right to complete silence. He doesn't. You have rights too; as a property owner, of reasonable enjoyment of your property. That means you can play music at a reasonable hour and at a reasonable volume, which is what you say you were doing. Carry on, just don't be an obnoxious ass and you should be fine. If the cops have any common sense, they'll come out and listen for themselves. I have had the cops called twice in a decade for loud rehearsals at my home. Both times, cops said they could barely hear it at the property line so we were ok as long as we didn't get any louder. Both times they asked how late we planned on going. We're always finished by 7:30, maybe 8:00 pm at the latest. One time we got a gig out of it; cop liked what he heard and hired us for a police function. To this day, one of the most fun gigs I ever had; nobody parties like a bunch of cops... for real!

 

[Spencer Fitch]

I went through this problem lately, I live in a 1400 square foot house. Neighbor has been texting me complaining about the noise the two hours we play once a week. I spent 400$ sound proofing the room. Room sounds great now. Bass still makes irs way out. The drummer or guitarist can't hear my bass. It's decoupled from the floors and walls and I use headphones to hear myself a littke better. Two houses down neighbors called the cops. I didn't care. I have kids and wake up early 6 days a week for work. I told my neighbour to never talk to me again and got a storage unit..