Mostly,i play the piano at night. I can't play in the morning because it's too early, and i would wake people up, and i'll be in school in the afternoon and evening. The piano's in the living room, and that's where the tv is.

The problem is, when i'm playing, there'll always be someone watching the tv. Actually, i don't mind the tv, because i can shut off the tv sounds, but when someone in the room speaks loudly, i get distracted. Just like today, i was playing, and my mum was making that tapping sound, which made it hard for me to concentrate on the difficult section i was having much difficulty with.

My family gets angry when i try to tell them to quieten down, and we end up quarreling. Moving the piano isn't an option either, there isn't room for it anywhere else. Help?

Sorry to hear this. My only suggestion would be to get a digital piano and use decent headphones which keep the noise out.

Jon

It sounds as though you have fallen into a bit of a pattern of quarrelling with the family over your practice time. I would suggest that you get together with them and have a calm discussion and negotiate some time on the piano, undisturbed by the others. You may find that they are happy to let you practice in the mornings after all, or you can agree on some times when they don't need to be in the room and you can have the place to yourself.

It is difficult when the piano is in a shared family space, and other people want to use the room while you are practising. The only way forward is to try to come to an agreement about who uses the room and when. You can't really expect them to respond or understand if you haven't explained how distracting other noises can be. Try to stay cool while you talk to them about it. Explain why you need to be alone, and ask for their support for your work.

Good luck

Have you though about buying a digital piano? That way you'd be able to practice with headphones on and not disturb anyone.

Is there any time when you can use the room without anyone else being there even if it puts you out. What about whilst your Mum is preparing the meals? there has to be some give and take if you want things to work. Alternatively ask for the digital piano or a keyboard for Christmas. Even if your parents aren't in a posiiton to buy one for you, they might get the idea you are serious, if you explain why you want one.

Could you practice at school? My daughter isn't allowed to use the practice rooms at lunch but her friend at a neighbouring school is.

We have two rooms in our house and the piano is in the front, we live in the back. The front lounge is very cold even in summer. Generally all the woodwind instruments make their way into the back lounge for practice. at various times of the day. we just get on with it. It's never really caused an issue.

Would it help if your teacher can have a word to suggest that having a time that the family know is sacred to practice can be useful? I'm guessing that one of your parents is paying for lessons and if they are really not allowing the minimum practice time suggested for your level they aren't getting best value for their money.

Regarding practicing in the morning, that's impossible because school starts at 7+am and i wake up at 6+am.
A digital piano would be good, but i don't think my parents would see a need to buy another piano.

My family watches tv all night, from after dinner to bedtime. It's impossible to get them to leave the room

You have no space left for any other recommendations besides talking to them about it. Piano can't be moved. Can't change practice time. Can't get digital piano. Not much else you can do besides try and get them to see reason.

Are you home before them if they work, if not one of them must cook. If you have siblings could you agree with everyone half an hour when you can have the room. Say someone cooking another in the shower and siblings doing homework. Some time would be better than none at all. Perhaps getting everyone ot sit down and agree at least then you might get some support form whoever is paying for lessons.

They need to buy you a digital Piano if they aren't prepared to leaver the room whilst you practice, or at least switch the TV off for half an hour.

Is school an option?

Thank you. I will discuss with my family.
I'm not sure about school, i'm going to a new school, so i don't know their rules

There are times when to get what you want you need to be sneeky. I'd start dropping hints about a digital piano if I were you before you sit down and talk to them

Can you get wireless headphones to play the TV through so they can listen to the TV without you hearing it? If they have headphones on they might do less talking...

I wonder if it is possible to invent a stethoscope type device where a contact microphone on the piano feeds straight to a pair of headphones on you. Your family would be able to hear the piano but you would not hear them so much.

I had the same problem, with my acoustic piano in the living room. I managed to buy a second hand Yamaha digital piano, which was in excellent condition fairly cheaply and this is in the my bedroom so I can practise any time of day (or night) now

... and I was able to take it with me on a weeks holiday to Cornwall this Summer, it was great being able to practise every day, while looking out of the chalet window down to the beach !!

Do you have any nearby grandparents or other relatives in whose home you could install the piano and practise there undisturbed. A long shot, I know, but I thought I'd mention it?

My digital piano was around 200 (probably 250 by now) although if you're more advanced, you'd probably need a better piano. Are there any jobs you could do to raise some money to buy one? Could you rent one in the meantime, and see if the rental could be knocked off the purchase price?

Hope you manage to get something sorted out