Outrageous neighbor from two doors down....
I recently received a rather snippy letter from a neighbor requesting I NOT play my violin anymore because "this is a residential neighborhood with houses nearby". This letter looks to be written in crazyperson handwriting and comes from a lady living two doors down.
Obviously it frosted me.
So I started thinking of ways to reply to her letter and came up with amusing ones....such as seranading her outside her front door at 3 am with bad renditions of Beatles songs.
(I have never played past 9pm, and music is my livelihood so I promise I am not terrible. I suppose this background is important to define her as crazy)
What would you do (for fun) in response to her letter?
Replies (88)
Against the lady, I would do nothing, at this point. Some people just like to complain, but go no further. Do not give her cause to fault you in any way. Do not play outside her door.
Meanwhile, research your legal position for things like privacy, anti-noise, freedom to inhabit, etc.
If the lady takes covert action, say purposely creating nuisance for you, or causing damage to you property, then you should first phone the police.
Stay within your legal bounds, and practise up to the limits afforded you. If you can turn the proverbial cheek, and perhaps help the lady in her time of distress, then you may win a friend and supporter.
Easier said than done, so good luck.
get a large rubber practise mute
I dont' think this lady has a leagal leg to stand on and is just being a pain. I had my husband stand in our own back yard while I played with the window open and he claimed it was no louder than conversational speaking.
We live in condo-like houses made of brick, and she is the neighbor to my neighbor, so we share NO common walls. I think she is complaining because she can hear me in her garden....and it must be faintly at that.
Having said that, there are packs of drunkards strolling from pub to pub outside our street every night at closing time that are waaaaay more loud than I could think to be on the violin.
I don't think I should have to mute myself. Am I just being indignified at her request? I mean, this is MY house and like I said, I do not play after 9, and in fact I normally practice between 10 and 4pm.
When, I bought my house, there was a mention in the local paper about the purchase and who I was (concert violinist,etc, etc.) so when I moved in, some of my neighbors who had read the paper sent me welcome cards whith wine bottles some with cakes etc.
When I did the house "warming" party, I made sure to invite all my neighbors (get the idea yet?) and treat them to good food and drinks.
They all came!!!
So far the latest I have played (with the windows open) is 12:30am and no complaints yet!
Last weekend one of my neighbors actualy told me;
"I heard you playing last night (saturday about 11:00pm) I enjoyed it so much I set in my yard so I coul ear you better..."
Cool huu? So it helps to have a good report with your neighbors and just don't push it!
I was told by a policeman friend of mine, that up to 10:00pm there is nothing they can do! After 10pm the cops come to visit you!!!
Regards,
PF
The only logical thing to do is to give in to her demands and quit...
...or not. :)
Just continue playing. She has no right to say the things she did.
It would only be polite to write back; just be really nice and...erm...understanding but keep your ground. and your cool.
Ask her (politely) what her problem is and exactly what it is about the playing that she doesn't like.
It could just be that she is frustrated at many things (not You) and is selecting you as a random output.
From Jonathan Law
Posted on August 13, 2005 at 5:57 AM (MST)
get a large rubber practise mute
Am I the only one who read that as "get a large rubber practise suit"? Probably, but I still think my version of it is a great idea.
Neil
It's really up to you whether you talk to this lady about the situation or not. Seeing as you probably know her better than us (albeit by a little), you would know what the more diplomatic thing to do is because none of us wants to have a neighbor as an enemy. That being said- she's being absolutely ridiculous. Violins are not the loudest instruements in the world, so if she hears you it can only be just slightly. It's not like it's rock music being blasted with subwoofers into the ground. She has no legal standing, so even if she did take it as far as the police, it would only be to her that they would have to get a stern lecture.
Oh, and the rubber practice suit- that puts so many funny images in my head. I think sometimes we might need one- to keep us from hurting ourselves every time those octaves just don't sound right. :)
Play more often.
You could strangle her cat with a violin string and hang it on her porch.
You asked for silly suggestions, so there's mine. Don't do it, though.
If you live in a house, how can any neighbors hear you? That's what a house is for, isn't it?
Ok, heres what to do. Play to her demands. Write her a very polite note on blue airmail, apologising for said nuisance and noise pollution, and explain how you are going to stop playing your violin from now on. Signed with a loving kiss, and many apologies. After you have posted that, head down to you local music store, and purchase a Fender Stratocaster and several Marshall 4x600W stacks. Ring up that guy who likes to play Bruch on guitar, and invite him round for tea. Get him well and truly plastered on turkey and red wine, and at a suitable time, say 2am, show him your new rock-star outfit of guitar and amps. Let him rip out the Bruch at 100 Db, and go outside and watch the fireworks. Feign ignorance, and explain that it is the next-door neighbours down the street. After that your neighbour wont care about hearing a violin! tee hee
Personally I use a heavy practice mute, It saves my ears, and the neighbours' sanity. When I was at uni i didnt care about the neighbours though - I practiced till 2am (with a mute), and quite frequently without a mute. My neighbour was a classical music fan, he startled me once. I finished practicing the 1st mov of the Sibelius without a mute, and collapsed in bed at about 10:30. I woke up half an hour later to the loudest orchestral tutti ever heard of the third movement coming through the walls. I nealy had a heart attack! Lol
How old is this lady by the way? Maybe you could buy her a Perlman CD?
Perhaps you could invite Metallica to come give a concert in your yard. That way by comparison, your playing would seem rather quiet.
I would not use a mute during the day...actually I would stretch the time out to make it 9-5 practice allowed, then in the evening, unless you are having an in-home performance, or a student over, put a practice mute on.
If she had a passion/job that she pursued, let her know that you would do your best to accept it, and you would appreciate she did the same. At least you're not an ax murderer or in a loud rock band! There are worse things to complain about...anyone who complains about good music has problems.
Sounds pretty unlikely. I am not a pro and I assure you my practicing is not a pleasant thing for innocent bystanders. But I asked my neighbor the very first week if they could hear the racket since they have small kids who go to bed early and they said they'd never heard a thing. I keep my windows shut but it's not like I live in a steel vault. Maybe try some diplomacy - flaming bag of dog excrement, pour sulfuric acid on their lawn in the shape of a violin, etc.
I believe that legally in most places you are entitled to practice between the hours of 9 or 10 AM until 10 PM. Don't bother buying a practice mute, you shouldn't have to. You might want to look up your rights, but don't bother catering to this woman. You should be allowed to practice violin in your own house.
Amy is correct. Check to see if your town has a noise ordinance and find out what the details are. Many such regulations state that the objectionable sounds must exceed a set decibel level when measured from the street, and they also give times during which louder noises are acceptable. Many cities also have their regulations online. Find out what your legal situation actually is first. One always wants to be a good neighbor, but, as Nietzsche is reputed to have said, "Life without music would be a mistake."
Don't give in or negotiate with this crazy woman. Doing so would probably encourage her. She can't hear you practice in your home and it's perfectly acceptable legally and socially to make your own noise/music before 9 PM. She obviously has a problem unrelated to your playing, and she's directing her wrath at you.
I also like Emily's suggestion about the cat.
Well, I'm not so selfish that I wouldn't use a mute if my playing was disturbing my neighbor. There is such a thing as being neighborly.
There's selfishness, and then there's letting people control your life. Don't mistake the two. This is not a case of selfishness so much as it is a matter of determining where her rights as a neighbor end and your rights as a violinist begin. In no way whatsoever should you be made to feel guilty for pusuing something constructive like practicing a violin. It is not illegal, nor is it unreasonably noisy. You need a construction crew to come in for road repairs and show her noisy.
Practice mutes inhibit you from developing good tone quality, and is not recommended for extended periods of practicing. Mutes are a last resort for situations where practicing must be done and cannot without immediate violations, such as in hotels or past midnight in an apartment or college dorm. Or while the baby's sleeping.
...Perhaps that woman's a baby. She sounds like one.
well, I guess I'm just different. If I knew my playing was bothering someone, I'd find another place to practice.
Respond to neighbor:
"well toooooooooooooooo bad!!!!!!"
Or you could say, "sue me!".
Marty, she's TWO houses over!
That being said, I want to let you know that I myself am an extremely self-conscious practicer, too. I don't like anyone to hear me practicing, except maybe my husband, but I hate to bother even him (fortunately, he's never done anything but encourage it). But because of this, I never got around to practicing at all in college; I had no private place to go. What's more private than your own home? Where is there better soundproofing? I can't think of anything suitable, and I live in the least densely populated state in the country. If I practice outside, I will succumb to frostbite or be eaten by bears.
Ideally, we should all just have our own soundproof practice studios out back, kinda like saunas and smokehouses. Wouldn't that be great? They could be temperature and humidity-controlled, acoustically perfect, well-lit, and of course, include a baby grand. ...with a panoramic window overlooking a wooded stream, a deck for lounging and outdoor jamming on mild, sunny days, and a sign over the door that says Steele String Studio...
Man, I gotta get some more money.
Practicing with a mute on a regular basis is not a good long-term solution, IMO. Things sound different, it even bends the pitch a bit. It's a good option for when you are in a hotel room, or when you are practicing quite late at night, when your spouse has a pounding headache...for exceptional times.
I'm always amazed by people who are so annoyed by music practice, with so much other offensive noise going on. I have my neighbors standing on their balcony, screaming obscenities at each other into the night, others playing extremely loud music during the wee hours of the morning. I figure that my violin is certainly no louder or annoying than any of this.
I think that if your neighbor persists, you might try talking face-to-face, listening to her concerns with concern, then informing her (nicely) of what hours you are legally entitled to practice, then assuring her (quite kindly) that you will of course adhere to those hours.
I would never promise not to practice, or agree to practice on someone else's schedule. You have to be able to live your life, as the person you are, in your own home. As long as your aren't doing anything illegal, (like practicing at 3 a.m.) -- and you aren't! Nor is it really a nuisance to a reasonable person.
I'm reminded of a New Yorker cover from several years ago: it was an apartment complex, and in each room people were doing various things, many quite outrageous and loud, like partying, murdering each other, all kinds of crazy stuff. Then in one room, a guy was playing the saxophone, and though everyone seemed okay with the rest, they were yelling and complaining at the one guy playing his sax!
i'd tell her to go #$%* herself.
sometimes we violinists are entirely too polite and certain types get the idea they have the right to walk all over us.
barring that, turn to george hayduke's books for advice.
The general guidelines (from my knowledge) is that during the day it's a bit more liberal, but after 10PM if you can hear it from the boundary of your home, they can get the police over. That said, the only person I've ever known to receive a complaint from was my cousin who was very much into creating dance music (electronic stuff) and hence had a very loud stereo in his room, which was right next to the boundary. Add to this that he was nocturnal and you can see why he got a complaint.
Ask your local council for the noise level guidelines and do some tests. They might even be willing to do some tests for you while you're playing and give you the results, which you can then send to the neighbor.
But, if as you said, that it was no louder than conventional hearing in your own backyard, I highly doubt that she could hear it in her backyard.
Personally, I always try to limit my practicing to no later than 9:30. I have neighbors with little kids, and although they are always interested in my playing, I always think that sleep is more important. Besides, I can always compose after 9:30.
The worst are the quilters. All hours of the night, quilting and quilting...
Sometimes plain truth helps: If you want to have silence buy or rent yourself a standalone house. But saving money by moving into a cheaper condo and then trying to silence (and therefore disturb and interfere with) your neighbours to convert this condo into a standalone house (soundwise) cannot be appreciated and carries some flavor of indecency.
Also possible (worked once in my life): Neighbour was complaining about the music noise. So I did offer him a deal as follows: As eyes need as much protection as ears we would stop making musical noise as soon as he would forbid his wife to go on street during daytime. Since the sight of his wife was as much of an offense to my eyes as our music to his ears. I never heard from him again, nor from his lawyers.
FMF
I play gypsy violin...And let me tell you. Some gypsy or Paganini at three in the morning on her front porch would really get her upset lol. But I mean you don't want to make the poor lady to mad.
Yes, Emily, quilters are bad but spinners are worse. That constant, low humming of the wheel... just terrible.
Sarah asked for humorous advice. Sometimes humor is the only way to keep the sanity. (We've lived next door to neighbors whose feet are dangling over the brinks of hell for the past eighteen years... )
In perspective, the perhaps the woman was having a really bad day with a severe migraine and wrote a letter she regrets but is too embrassed to face.
Perhaps she was once married to a violent concert violinist...
Sarah, take her some cookies, or fruit, hmm, maybe wine -- okay, earplugs, and try talking with her. Firmly, but gently, explain that you will continue to play in your own home.
Let us know how this all works out.
We live next to an itinerant tribe of mimes...all night long...practice, practice...we've called police etc...still no relief...imagination is a dangerous thing and certainly a interference to sleep...on the serious side, some folks are resentful of sophistication..you might ask neighbor gal if she'd like lessons or some listening techniques, tickets to your next concert ?? Borrow a cup of rosin ? best wishes
I'm sorry, but you have to have like to be playing 5 strads at once for her even to kind of hear you 2 houses away. I'd flip her off and tell her that some cotton balls and headphones would be a good investment. DON't LET HER GET IN THE WAY! (period)
Michael, that's because no one wants to face a counter-suit that consists of your wife's so ugly I need her to stay out of sight.
Laurie, the neighbors would complain about the sound of murdering too, if he was murdering four hours a day every day.
LOL Frank that's hilarious
I really never said neighbours wife was ugly, just her looks were an offense to MY eyes. So I was as much subjective as he was. ;-)
And he could barely sue me for discrediting his wife then. At the very end I just proved to him that my visual taste was as bad as his audio taste.
FMF
Explain to your neighbor that you cannot stop playing violin because you have to practice and let her know you are not breaking the law. Write to her and tell her what time you usually practice and give her some earplugs!
Good Luck and don't stop playing. May be she'll get used to it and start loving violin you play.
Michael that's pretty squirrelly. From what little I've seen of your own family, you have every right to have high standards of beauty.
I think you need to bring in the pros, and get a demolition ball going through her house at 2am, that'll ought to fix the situation. She cant complain about hearing you from her house if you knock it down....
My, aren't we all having fun with this topic? It must hit home to many of us.
Oh my, that was a pun.
Check your lease. It will say something about noise. She'll have the same restricitons. I definately would not engage her.
Take up the bagpipes in addition to violin, and practice that as loudly as possible.
Or better still become a one person band like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, where you play multiple instruments at once.
Parade up and down the street throughout the day playing your new found instruments.
In no time she and the rest of your neighbours will be begging you to go back to violin.
ARRGH, in my town a cello teacher had to petition to the city council about something like this. She has taught many years and is a wonderful teacher (she coached me once for chamber music, and she taught me alot about violin playing :D). We wrote a letter to the city council about how we supported her cause and let as many people know as possible. The point is that she may actually have a legal standing, but you shouldn't give in to that >:(
These are all great fun to read! I like the bagpipes suggestion. :)
WE had a dinner party the other night and invited some British folks over as well as some Canadian friends. ((ONe person went outside to smoke and promised me to blow smoke into this lady's mail slot for fun--not sure he did for real)) Now, the two Brits thought that 9pm was really late to be playing, but the Canadians and myself felt we had until 10pm as a decent time to play. I wonder if there is a cultural difference of opinion as well. (we are all musicians) In this place (Cambridge) all the shops and businesses close at 5 pm and I believe the reasoning is so that you go home (well...the pubs first, then home) and it is just the way it is. In America, where I am from, people work all hours, and do activities all hours of the day and usually abide by something like 10pm curfew for all loud noises that might be heard beyond your own house.
Any British folks want to weigh in and help me out? Is this some unspoken rule of thumb I am clueless of?
Sarah, you hit on one of the issues within this whole thread. The laws on noise, etc will vary with jurisdictions. It varies not just between countries, but between cities, councils, local government authorities etc.
So while some here are saying anything before 9pm goes, it is NOT a universal thing. It does pay to check what the law is where you live (and I don't mean by country). Having said that, I have doubts that your practice is loud enough to contravene the laws, but again it pays to check.
In the interim, just wear the large rubber practice suit and go out and beat up some mimes. It works for me.
Neil
Sarah, forget all this advice about legal stuff. Go and get yourself a nice shotgun, and blast this pain in the ass in to neek week hhhhaaaaaahahahahahahahahahaha
lol John you're so violent..
Legally you can practice within reasonable hours, and reasonable volume. Since a violin doesn't sound as loud as a subwoofer, and since you say you play at reasonable times (not to early, not to late) Then legally as long as you don't make threates you are fine.
Now this lady is most likly a mean person, the best thing to do, is to be kind to her. Knock on her door politly and talk to her about it.
(I know this may sound crazy but...) Say your sorry if you disturbed her, and try talking to her and ask her what time she would preffer. (You don't have to practice when she preffers but just the offer is a kind gesture)
Please trust me on this, don't get nasty with her it only makes the problem worse. If she spits on you, wipe it off and give her a big fat kiss!
Cheers!
Clearly you can see the humor in this situation. Don't get mad, laugh at it.
I agree that you should not be nasty to your neighbor, but I don't think you should try to talk nicely to her, either. She is obviously irrational, probably worse, and anything you say may inflame her more. You are well within your legal rights, and your current behavior is considerate and cooperative.
Unless ur neighbor personally delivered the letter to ur door just act as if u didn't get the letter. Her hearing u is probably psychological. As u said... she's crazy! LOL. I live in a really quiet neighborhood and u can hear my playing if ur going for a walk outside. My neighbors always compliment me. I've never had any complaints... only compliments which is really nice. Being mean to this lady will just make her even more bitter. She's like a fly... as annoying as she may be... if u ignore her... she'll go away. LOL.
I must admit I've never seen a fly go away if you ignore it; except around mimes. Even flies won't hang around mimes.
[attempted viola joke]Maybe mimes are related to viola players. I mean, apparently, nobody likes either of them and certainly you can never hear either of them.[/attempted viola joke]
Now if you'll excuse me, I must run and hide.
Neil
I'd just ignore the letter and the woman for as long as possible. She can send as many letters as she wants to you are not even forced to read them. If she approaches you personally you can still explain to her that it's your right to practice throughout daytime and that you're not doing this to annoy the neighboors.
My next door neighboor has a son who plays piano and he is no so great at it and doesn't like doing it but still his parents force him to go and we are forced to listen to his practicing. No one ever complaint but whenever I have a really bad day with my violin (happens at least once a week :p) I always feel safe because I listen to their son peacefully and so they can hardly say anything. lol
Peter, I know how to get rid of that tribe of mimes that live next door! Check this out: http://media.putfile.com/mimeaway
Hahahaha!
Almost forgot, you can get a restraining order, using her letter as proof. Then by law she is not allowed to go near you, or communicate with you in any way including mail.
I don't think you can get a restraining order based on one silly letter.
http://www.quacked.co.uk/funny-videos/1220/urinal-advert.html
Sarah, have you considered a nuclear missile?
Sorry, Nate is encouraging me
(Ps if my computer was any good I would listen to your recordings, im sure theyre very good from what I heard of your Caprice 17)
You can get one if she keeps sending letters.
Just thought I should update y'all on this. I have practiced just as normal, even had my quartet over and we played until the tender late time of *gasp* 9pm, and no new letters have arrived through the mail slot.
But--the University has decided to change our living arrangements so we are moving soon anyways to a similar 'row-house' uptown. I think I might just slip a note through her door on the way out telling her what I really think of her......no, just kidding.
But now I get to brave a whole new set of neighbors. Sigh.....I hope they aren't Melophobics like this lady was. :)
The crazy woman's brother probably knows influential people and got the university to change your living arrangements. Thats how it works.
Are the mimes moving with you?
Interesting word "Melophobics". I figured out its meaning, but the dictionaries I checked don't believe in it's existence.
Neil
I feel your pain. I only started the violin a few weeks back. My first instrument, the classical guitar was too soft and melodious to bother anyone but I have bought a large rubber mute for my violin in deference to my mother's ears because I only have time to practise at night.(I live in a tiny aprtment)
I'm still in the open strings stage and I don't sound too bad but I still get the occassional unnerving squawk!
Your neighbor seems to be simply a piece of irrevocable evidence that there are some people in this world who simply do not have the capacity to understand our art. Still, many of us do not have to capacity to understand some of their "art" (calculus anyone...hmm). Living on a circle with a trumpet player next door, a cellist and a violinist in the house right across the way and a concert pianist on the other side...my problem is simply trying to find an appropriate time to practice when I can hear myself! That being said though, I have still had a few requests to cut back on my HARP playing for heaven's sake! In those cases though, I simply close the curtains and the windows, play quietly for a day or so and continue to greet the neighbor with a smile and compliment him or her on the solo's they've been working on. May I suggest that you make a small effort to explain to this crazy neighbor the reasons WHY you need to practice and possibly even give her a CD of string music she might enjoy? If you get her on your side now, I gauruntee it will make things easier later.
If that doesn't work of course, you could offer free violin lessons to all of the children living around her and require an hour of practice a day. Just make sure they know that practicing with the windows open is much better for musicality!
Excellent! Now why didnt I think of that.
Hmmm sounds like someone wanted to play the violin when they were younger and did not get the opportunity. Seems a little bitter to me. when played well the violin transcends one to another place as not to worry about frivolous stuff. Tell her to sit back and enjoy her private concert.
I have always been worried about getting into a situation like this. Luckily my neighbours have never said anything to me. But I try and make it a 2 way street. I only practice in the afternoon, not night or early morning. Also, I never complain if they play loud music or their kids are yelling when they play outside. I figure if I put up with them, they'll hopefully reciprocate. But there's always the fear that a whiner with no patience could move in next door and start making things hard. Then what? Honestly I dunno. Playing with a mute all the time is not an option, you need to hear the instrument properly. Antagonising them is no good as you don't want a war with neighbours. You have to live with them, and you need home to be a place where you can shelter from conflict and relax. So this is really tough. Hopefully if you explain that you have a right to make some reasonable noise, and keep playing maybe they'll give up. Lame solution I know, but I'm at a bit of a loss.
If you want an amusing note you could write back and 'thank her for her interest in your playing and that in appreciation you will not be charging for your performances'. Or you could offer to stop the violin and focus instead on your other passion: the trombone or rock drums etc.
Trouble is such things have a nasty way of biting back at you - it could be brought up later as evidence of your disregard, or worse. Its highly likely that the lady in question is obsessing about the violin. If she is two doors away I bet there are other much more irritating noises - lawnmowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers whatever, that she is ignorning. Its worth a try at talking to her and identifying if there is a particular time in the day that she is most sensitive - or even find out what her favorite music is and play a little.
Charm works better than satire in every case.
However, last resort is the law. I assume there are laws for when you can not make noise - and tacitly, therefore when you can.
You should be carefull with this situation. You could ruin the relationship you have with several of your neighbors. Contact the police and find out what the sound laws are and then make sure you don't violate them. Try and have a peaceful talk with your neighbor and put out fire that is starting there. You may speak with some of the other neighbors and make sure you are not having a problem with them that you don't know about.
I have seen some serious problems grow from a very small misunderstanding.
Good luck,
x-cop
um, the original post is from 2005, hopefully she has resolved the situation by now....
hehe - I fell for it (again). I wonder what she did?
And why it came up again...
After reading a lot of online forums, I've learned that if I go on a site I read regularly and see a post I haven't seen before that has a lot of replies, it's either 1) really old; or 2) a really controversial topic that generated a lot of fast replies!
A lot of the old topics that get bumped on this site are actually still relevant and worthy of discussion. I just wish it could somehow be marked clearly that it's an old topic bumped up, so people wouldn't waste time giving specific advice to one poster who is long gone.
I'm guessing she learnt banjo for a while then had the neighour begging her to go back to violin :-)
Trumpet or drum set would also be good choices to make your neighbors appreciate the violin :)
Can you get her a crazy cat lady starter kit: http://www.dudelol.com/the-crazy-cat-lady-starter-kit-is-here/
Or, mail her a crazy cat lady action figure? They sell them here: http://www.mcphee.com/shop/products/Crazy-Cat-Lady-Action-Figure.html
She needs a hobby.
Alicia, a cat (or a box of cats in this instance) is not a hobby. It's a complete lifestyle.
Sorry for this slightly shallow post, but I'm trying to get this thread to overtake the "teacher's commissions" one which doesn't seem to want to die down...
I always ignore anonymous letters or criticisms. Prividing you are within the law she can do nothing.
There is a certain type of person who never says anything to your face but writes anonymous letters, or makes anonymous telephone calls behind your back. I had a neighbour who was like that and I am working with one such person at the moment.
You did not say which country you are in but in the U.K. the Musicians' Union would be able to advise you.
In view of the 7 years this discussion has been in existence, and its recent resurgence, I clicked on the OP's name, Sarah Benedict, in order to check out her profile. On-screen came the reply "No such record".
Internal evidence from her initial post suggests that she is probably not British.
Trevor, Google gives a v.com profile of
centerville, Ohio
sarah joined Violinist.com on Sep 24, 2007
I am a violin/ strings teacher for Springboro Community Schools.
I hold a BME in music education (specialty in strings pedagogy) from The Ohio State University. My teacher training was largely taught by Dr. Robert Gillespie and my violin training by Allison Edberg and Michael Davis.
I hold a Masters in Philosophy from Cambridge University (England) in Education Research; my thesis was titled 'Peripatetic Violin Teachers' Experiences of Reform in Secondary Schools: Voices on Change'.
I have performed with: Mansfield Symphony, Central Ohio Symphony, Cambridge Graduate Orchestra (concermaster), Cambridge Univ. Chamber Orchestra, Middletown Symphony, Hamilton Symphony and most recently Springfield Symphony Orchestra. I also was 1st violinist in the (English) Imperial String Quartet for two years.
I currently have very limited space for new students.
Aren't we getting just a bit nosy? :o For all we know she is discovered her neighbour was actually a long-lost aunt and they are happily sailing around the world now collecting violins in far away places...
Hmmm for silly suggestions ( But really don't do this)
Me and my friends joke around and say "You won't do it though!"
Anyway I met crazy people that hate things. Say that it is your right. Or just ignore her or if she complains say that making her stop you playing is like stop breathing. I've had no problems with my neighbors they insist I open the door to my backyard and they sit outside and hear me play.
If your neighbors in between have kids, buy the kids a drum set and $99.00 electric guitar; I have seen the guitars on sale at Costco and in toy stores.
Once that is done, the neighbor will be so busy with the neighbor in between they will not bother you again.
That reminds me of the advice given to a pianist who was plagued by the banging on the party wall from his next door neighbors - play louder so that you don't hear the banging.
[quote]What would you do (for fun) in response to her letter?[/quote]
I wouldn't respond at all. I would ignore it and continue playing as I did before receiving that piece of written insanity. Don't get into a tit for tat with her as it won't bring you anything but misery.
There's nothing she can do to you unless you play past 10pm and your violin exceeds 65 decibels and you're within 50 feet of her. At least in these parts.
Usually there's city and/or specific rules about noise, including playing instruments, where I am, it's generally from 9 or 10 am to 10 pm, though as a teen (I didn't know about noise rules then) I used to practice at 7:30 am and up to 11:00 at night, when I lived in a townhouse. But the neighbours on one side said they loved my playing, and the other side was my friend and her family, who had a pretty loud, but nice acoustic piano and she advanced very quickly, in 3 years she did Level 6 Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. And I helped her with her clarinet skills. Although living in an apartment I keep it generally to 11 am to 5 pm, and mostly teach at the church (often coming an hour or so earlier to do my own practicing) or student's home.
Though one of my husband's church friends ended up moving because of his neighbours not liking his saxophone and his son's trombone practice, with the occasional piano. So if moving is an option, consider it.
What happened to the original poster? Did her account get disabled or deleted?
"No such record" is the message I get when I click on her profile. Just curious why, nothing more.
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August 13, 2005 at 04:15 AM · These things always come from women older than 40 living alone. It's just the way they are. Best to ignore it, unless you're very cool-headed. So that she doesn't draw you into the craziness.
The woman next door to me is convinced she owns the land my house sits on. She mows my yard and trims around my fence. Saves me a lot of work. It would take a court order to make her stop. You don't want to interact with these people though. She doesn't rake my leaves for some reason. I'm not going to try and figure out why.