How to make angry neighbors your ally for practicing?

[GordonH]

I just put the word out that I was a mafia drug dealer.

It actually worked.

None of my neighbours speak to me and they cross to the other side of the road when they are walking past.
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Bb - Scherzer 8218W, Schilke S22, Bach 43, Selmer 19A Balanced
Pic - Weril
Flugel - Courtois 154
Cornet - Geneva Heritage, Conn 28A
Mouthpieces - Monette 1-5 rims and similar.

Licensed Radio Amateur - GM4SVM

[Arpeggio]

Tough question for those of us without personal studios

The practice mute option is always there but is so-so at best. I've used the Silent Brass system, Trumcor Lyric Stealth mute, and the ssssshhhhhMute. All create noticeable back-pressure, in my opinion. I would guess that the back-pressure problem will never be solved with any conventional practice mute since they work by stuffing up your horn. I believe the many varieties of practice mutes available have been discussed on several earlier TH threads.

One simple technique that seems to help me a lot is to play into a closet full of hanging clothing. I open the door, stand or draw up a chair, and play away into the shirts, pants, coats, etc. If you have a walk-in closet (I don't), I would guess it would be more convenient. It's kind of like having your own personal acoustically-insulated sound chamber. Seems to work pretty well at deadening the sound -- all in all, at least as well as the practice mutes and possibly better. I haven't seen the neighborhood dogs and cats scampering for cover since I began using this . . . but maybe that's just because they all ran away earlier.

[dershem]

[Bach Baby]

We have a 9pm ordinace in my hood...I am lucky, because my garage is the Shed hall...I did however, live in an apartment complex, and many years later as I was leaving, I was told about songs I played....I so want to re-record April In Paris, so I played that song everyday, 100 diffirent ways, and as I left the building, they all sang it to me....It was a good thing....We all know when we are intruding on others space, so just know when and where to shed....I like no one around when I figure out new stuff.......I save it for the audience.....
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Bach Megatone 3c & Standard 7c, when I feel chopless....
Bach Strad 180S Mod #37 ML
Motto: Shut UP & PLAY !!!!!
Style: MELLOW MADNESS

[rockford]

We live on a public street so I just threaten to park my old cars in front of their house if they get out of line.

[Drizzt]

I always have the windows closed, and I dont play late... much. Theres always the occaisional midnight trumpet urge.
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Bach Stradivarius 180S-37 ML

Schilke 13C4

[pipedope]

Neighbors?
My closest neighbors are a quarter mile away.

If they don't have a problem with the bulldozer or chainsaw I doubt there will be any problem with trumpet.

[Eggtracy]

[Airport Bum]

[Arpeggio]

Suggest leaving the door open when you try the closet thing! Too toasty otherwise, especially in these summer months.

My other half insists that she can't hear me beyond the next room when I play into the hanging clothes with the closet door open. The biggest problem is getting used to the fact that I'm playing for Dockers and a few Arrows No applause. No encores. Well, no pressure, either!

I enjoy this more than the various alternatives just because I'm so happy to not have to fight back-pressure of the various practice mutes I've accumulated.

[TimTheTrumpeter]

Do you live in an apartment? If not, I don't think neighbors are really a problem... practice inside your house with your front door shut.

[pipedope]

My nearest neighbor is more than a quarter mile away.
With lots of trees too.

Besides, trumpet music is a nice change from chainsaws and bulldozers.



The drawback is that I am on the edge of the wilderness in Alaska and finding new toys and a good teacher is not easy.

[Lolo]

I've just been asked to play with my windows open so my neighbourse can hear me. Play stuff they'll like regularly and smile at them when you see them.
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What you recall are impressions; we have the facts. We called the tune. The secret police of your childhood were older, wiser than you, bigger. Call back the sound of their voices. Boom. Boom. Boom.

[dershem]

[Jerry48]

We have our 22 month old granddaughter living with us, with her parents (our son and wife). I work straight third shift on regular job, with rotating days off every week. So, I have to be conscious of whether the baby is down for nap or gone to bed. Not always on a regular schedule.
Neighbors have never been a problem; can't even hear me practicing in the house.
At home I try to grab opportunities when they occur (when I know everyone is up and wide awake, and not trying to sleep. We have a really small three bedroom ranch -- no basement or attic.
I'm a comback trumpeter, having pretty much been off the horn since 1965, and only in my third week of practicing. Also looking for a local band to hoook up with. My son says I sound pretty good. What does he know? (hehe).
I am fortunate to have a job where I get assigned to a group home where I can practice to my hearts content in the basement during the middle of the night. The boys claim they never hear anything while sleeping, mostly on second floor. Lately I'm working the group home most of every week. So, I'm taking advantage of the opportunity---I look forward to getting my playing lips back, and can get past the point I was at when I quit in high school (1965).
Really looking forward to performing with a band.

[Ed Lee]

[etc-etc]