Hi,
I am about to buy my first piano in the UK. Coming from Germany I am used to exact regulations regarding the use of instruments in flats and houses (max. 2 hours per day at certain times).
Are there any regulations for this in the UK? Max. hours per day, between which times? Or is anybody dependent on having kind neighbors and being a bit of a diplomat?
Unfortunately I cannot live in a detached house.
Thanks for any help
Ben
Noise regulations in the UK
Moderators: Feg, Gill the Piano, Melodytune
Re: Noise regulations in the UK
Hi Ben, welcome to the UK!
As far as I can remember the following rules apply:
Don't play before 9AM and after 8PM.
Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays are also out.
Although the reality is that if you have an agreement with your neighbour, and of course go out of your way to maintain pleasant relations with them (which you should regardless) then you will probably be able to play later and on Sundays/Bank Holidays.
The latest I have practised is 9PM on my grand piano and if I have to do any more after that, I use my digital piano. If I play on a Sunday I won't play before midday, because that would be inconsiderate, and the same on Bank Holidays. Not everyone takes Bank Holidays and if your neighbours still go out to work on these days, then you wont have a problem.
As far as I can remember the following rules apply:
Don't play before 9AM and after 8PM.
Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays are also out.
Although the reality is that if you have an agreement with your neighbour, and of course go out of your way to maintain pleasant relations with them (which you should regardless) then you will probably be able to play later and on Sundays/Bank Holidays.
The latest I have practised is 9PM on my grand piano and if I have to do any more after that, I use my digital piano. If I play on a Sunday I won't play before midday, because that would be inconsiderate, and the same on Bank Holidays. Not everyone takes Bank Holidays and if your neighbours still go out to work on these days, then you wont have a problem.
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Barrie Heaton
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Re: Noise regulations in the UK
There are no fixed rules on when you can play its down to noise levels and those levels are set by the visiting officer. The rule most seem to use is they will enter the house next door and put the TV on at a normal level if they can hear your piano then you have a problem after 8 pm they will go into a bedroom if the background noise is above 65db and if it is low level noise again you have a problem
As joseph as pointed out its best to come to an agreement with next door quite often its not a problem
Barrie,
As joseph as pointed out its best to come to an agreement with next door quite often its not a problem
Barrie,
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page
Web Master UK Piano Page
Re: Noise regulations in the UK
. . . . . . . . and for those way out modern pieces, practise when nobody is home. . . . . or buy a Clavinova 
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Gill the Piano
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Re: Noise regulations in the UK
Language, Timothy!!!joseph wrote:. . . . . . . . buy a Clavinova
I play for my own amazement...
Re: Noise regulations in the UK
I know I know Gill, but sometimes its the only option, and if its a good digital piano it's not that much of a transition when you're only using it for an hour a night.
To use a Clavinova full time would be a bit of a mistake I concur.
To use a Clavinova full time would be a bit of a mistake I concur.