“Finally found an ‘instrument-allowed’ apartment. Now I can practice without hesitation!”
So you thought, moved in, and finished your first day of practice with excitement. The very next day… what if a “Notice of Complaint Regarding Noise” from the management company was in your mailbox?
This is by no means someone else’s problem. In fact, there is no end to cases where people involve themselves in neighborhood trouble and are even forced into early eviction, despite having moved into properties marked with “Instruments OK” or “Instrument Consultation Welcome.”
Why do you get scolded in a property where you are supposedly “allowed to play instruments”? We will explain the uncomfortable truths that real estate salesmen dare not mention, and the four pitfalls you should know to protect yourself.
Pitfall 1: The Greatest Misunderstanding that “Instrument-Allowed = Soundproofed”#
This is the most common cause of trouble. Let’s be clear: “Instrument-allowed” (consultation) properties and soundproofed properties are completely different things.
Landlord’s “Permission” and Building “Performance” are Unrelated#
Many people imagine “instrument-allowed” as “a room with thick walls where sound doesn’t leak.” However, the true meaning of “instrument consultation” in real estate terminology is simply: “The landlord does not forbid playing instruments in this room as a rule.”
In other words, the wall thickness and soundproofing performance of the building are often exactly the same as a general “no-instrument” apartment next door (so-called “fake instrument-allowed properties”).
In this case, the sound you make will leak completely to the neighbor. If you make a lot of noise just because it’s “permitted,” it is nothing but unbearable noise for the person next door (a general person who doesn’t play instruments).
Pitfall 2: The “Invisible Noise” Vibration of Electronic Instruments#
“It’s a digital piano that makes no sound, so it’s okay,” or “I’m wearing headphones, so they shouldn’t be able to hear it.” People who think this way are the ones most likely to be blindsided.
Echoing “Thump-thump” and “Clack-clack” Below#
The blind spot of electronic instruments is not sound (vibration of air) but impact (vibration of the floor).
- Digital Piano: The “thump-thump” or “clack-clack” sound of hitting the keys.
- Electronic Drums: The “thump-thump” vibration from stepping hard on the pedals.
These sounds have much stronger energy than sound transmitted through the air. As “solid-borne sound,” they travel through the building’s skeleton and make the ceiling of the room below ring like a speaker.
To the resident below, it results in an unpleasant resonance like “someone is doing construction work in the attic” or “someone is beating a drum.” The scary part is that because the performer is wearing headphones, they are completely unaware of this massive vibration noise.
Pitfall 3: Lifestyle Mismatch (Irritating Noise Trouble)#
“According to the rules, playing is OK from 9 AM to 8 PM. So no one has a right to complain.” That may be true according to laws and rules. However, noise trouble is an emotional issue.
Neighbors “During Telework” or “After Night Shifts”#
Modern lifestyles are diversified. Just because you want to practice during the day doesn’t mean your neighbor is necessarily “active.”
- Home workers in important web meetings.
- Nurses or drivers who have just fallen asleep after a night shift.
- Babies and moms who have just worked hard to put them to sleep.
For neighbors in these situations, the sound of poorly-played practice or repetitive practice heard through the wall, even if it’s a small volume, becomes “annoying noise” that rubs nerves raw and rouses intense anger.
If you continue to assert “I’m right because of the rules,” the relationship will become a quagmire, sometimes even developing into harassment or police involvement.
Pitfall 4: “Hidden-NG” for Each Instrument#
Even if “Instrument Allowed” is written, it doesn’t mean all instruments are unconditionally permitted. If you look closely at the special provisions of the contract, there are actually instruments that are forbidden.
Instruments that Are Nearly Impossible#
- Instruments that produce heavy low-end: Bass, bass drum, double bass, etc. Because low-end frequencies pierce through walls and echo far away, soundproofing them is difficult even in full-scale soundproof rooms.
- Acoustic Drums: Because the vibration and sound pressure are in a different league, it is usually impossible even in general reinforced concrete apartments.
- Instruments using amplifiers: Electric guitar, etc. Even if volume can be adjusted, they are disliked because they involve vibration.
If you bring them in and play without knowing, and a complaint comes even once, you risk being forced into “immediate cessation due to contract violation” or “eviction.”
What Should You Do? Defense Measures to Prevent Trouble#
So, what should you do to enjoy instruments with peace of mind?
1. Choose “Sound-Insulated Property” or “Soundproofed Property”#
At the property hunting stage, don’t choose based on the words “instrument-allowed” alone. Ask the real estate agent this:
“Is this a ‘general instrument-allowed property’? Or is it a ‘soundproofed property’ where soundproofing construction has been done?”
Furthermore, asking straightforwardly, “Have there been any noise troubles in the past?” is also effective.
2. Take Soundproofing and Vibration-Control Measures Yourself#
If you are taking measures for your current room, the target is “vibration.” Especially for electronic instrument players, be thorough with measures for the floor.
- Soundproofing Mat: Don’t use joint mats from a home center; layer heavy mats like “P vibration-control mats.”
- Flexible Platform System: Make a DIY vibration-control stage using balance disks and boards, which is famous in the electronic drum community.
3. Communication as the Strongest Soundproofing#
If you have a chance to meet your neighbor, it’s effective to greet them beforehand. “I’ve moved in next door. I may practice piano sometimes, so please tell me right away if it’s noisy.”
Just having this one sentence will surprisingly expand the other person’s tolerance level (it’s a psychological effect that it’s harder to attack someone when you can see their face).
Summary: Protect Yourself#
Not taking the sweet words of “instrument-allowed” at face value but calmly assessing the true capabilities of that property is the only way to protect your musical life and peaceful existence.
If you are currently suffering from trouble, before the relationship worsens any further, you also need the courage to stop playing once and review your soundproofing measures or consider moving to a property where you can truly feel secure.
Related Articles#
- → How to Choose Soundproofed Properties: “How to Find Rentals with Soundproof Rooms! Differences from ‘Instrument-Allowed’ and Precautions”
- → Vibration Measures: “Prevent Noise Trouble with the Floor Below! How to Choose Mats for Footsteps and Vibration”
- → How to Handle Troubles: “Correct Apology and Response Steps When You Get a Complaint for Noise”