A man is at his wits' end over his neighbour's 6am violin practice, which wakes him up every morning and is ruining his quality of life – but she refuses to stop. The daily performances have been going on for four months, and with a night shift job that sees him arriving home at 2am, the noise is taking a serious toll on his health and his ability to function at work.
The Source of the Frustration
The man took to Reddit to vent his frustration, explaining that his upstairs neighbour starts playing the violin at 6am every day, and it goes on for 2-3 hours. He has tried talking to her nicely several times, but she explained that 6-9am is her only free time to practice because she teaches students from 10am to 8pm. She works as a violin teacher, giving lessons from her apartment.
The man also reviewed the tenancy agreement for the building and found that the designated quiet hours for noise complaints run from 10pm until 6am. This means that, provided she begins playing after 6am, she is not in breach of any regulations.
The Dilemma
He wrote: "I moved into this apartment four months ago. Every single morning at 6 am, my upstairs neighbour starts playing the violin. It goes on for 2-3 hours. I work night shifts and don't get home until 2 am, so this is destroying my sleep."
He continued: "But I'm losing my mind. I've tried earplugs, white noise machines, and sleeping in my living room. Nothing blocks out the violin music directly above my bedroom. I'm making mistakes at work because I'm so sleep-deprived."
The apartment management says it's not their problem since both leases allow practice hours. They suggested he find a different apartment if the music bothers him. He can't afford to move, as he just paid first, last, and deposit, and she can't change her schedule without losing income from students.
Reaction and Possible Solutions
Many respondents recommended he speak to his neighbour about practising with a mute, a small device that attaches to a violin's bridge to dampen vibrations and reduce the instrument's volume. While mutes are not a perfect solution, as they affect the violin's tone, they might allow the neighbours to reach a middle ground.
One person commented: "Could she practice with a mute from 6:00-7:30? Then practice without [one] from 7:30-9:00? I completely understand your frustration."
Another contributed: "This sounds incredibly frustrating. Unfortunately for your sleep, she is totally within her rights. It might be worth asking her about a practice mute. I highly recommend investing in sound cancelling headphones!"
