 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ElizabethMH
Date: 2023-01-19 20:07
Hello all,
My neighbours are having a baby next month (congrats to them), but as we live in a terraced house all sound goes through the walls. I generally practice at 4pm for an hour and a half. Last thing I want to do is wake up a napping baby, nor do I want to inflict more misery on these guys (I've been having a hard time with my clarinets -squeaking and not making even high G. I'm not sure why at the moment. I think I know the problem on one of my clarinets but that's a different thread).
The thing is the soon to be dad is an excellent amateur pianist. I mean this guy is so good that I sometimes have to ask myself -is that a CD or is he playing? Makes me feel like a worm, lol.
I've seen the recent threads on sax boxes. I need one of those noise minimisers for the clarinet.
My alternative is lug one of my clarinets to my office - I work next to a college that has sound proof practice rooms. Not sure if the college will let me book one although my organisation is someone connected to that college.
Oh, and I was going to upgrade to an intermediate/professional instrument and now I don't know how I can justify it if I can't practice until baby is older.
Elizabeth
Post Edited (2023-01-19 20:11)
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-01-19 20:44
I can't speak to many factors here, from money you have to spare to address this, to the availability of a small sound proof enclosure (i.e. one with you it in), etc. but you might find these 2 Youtube videos a useful starting point.
I tried the clarinet mute a while back with less success than its publisher.
https://youtu.be/ddQ2kFV842Q
https://youtu.be/_iBdXdMDmIE
Post Edited (2023-01-19 20:45)
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-01-19 20:46
Hi Elizabeth,
You sound like the best and loveliest neighbour in the whole world.
There's been some discussion recently on the forum of this silent clarinet option:
https://clarimate.us/
Might that be suitable for you?
When the clarimate was discussed on here before, it was pretty clear that those in favour were all the folks who live with small children (like me).
There's a good review of it here:
https://bretpimentel.com/review-clarimate-digital-clarinet-mute-by-buffet-crampon/
Previous threads are here:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=502084&t=502084
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=501301&t=501198
Jen
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2023-01-19 23:03
If for some reason the box idea doesn't work, maybe take it to the office occasionally and practice silently (ie, no reed....) at home. No fun, but I have done it at times due to location.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2023-01-20 05:42
Easy! Practice when your neighbor is playing piano! Hahaha!
Seriously, though - this guy has some nice thoughts on the subject and explains simple options - and explains how effective/ineffective he has found them to be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BFsKKA6sVQ
Best of luck in finding a good solution!
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2023-01-20 07:21
I have found that playing in a closet jam packed with clothes works rather well. Just "push" your clarinet in and play as you normally would. The tighter your clothing presses against your clarinet, the more muted the tone.
Try it...I think you'll like it.
Another idea that you might try is: Take some soft, thick, blanket like material that's at least 3/8" to 1/2" thick, cut out an 8" by 4-5 foot section, overlap it length wise, sew the open ends together leaving two small sections open wherein your hands would normally be inserted, and Velcro tie it to the barrel/mouthpiece intersection. The thicker the material, the greater the sound absorption. I haven't made one before, however, I believe it might work quite well.
Post Edited (2023-01-20 08:27)
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Author: MrDanny
Date: 2023-01-20 09:17
We look after our baby granddaughter during the week, and asked a nearby power tool user to work around her nap time. That's been fine for everyone.
Many parents establish regular nap times for their babies -- the same time or times every day, more or less. Maybe not when the baby is just home from being born, but before long. Talking with the new parents about when quiet is needed might leave a lot of other times that would be fine to practice.
It's good of you to consider the situation next door. I'm hopeful that it doesn't have to limit practicing very much. (And clarinets are much more melodious than power tools!)
Post Edited (2023-01-20 09:33)
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-01-20 11:22
Hi,
I think MRDanny's idea is spot on actually.
I had the non-sleeping baby ten years ago, and there is actually an in-born nap schedule that all babies are built to follow, and it changes as babies get older. If the parents are aware of that and are following it, then it would absolutely make sense to work round it.
I can't remember which book has the schedule in it, but it's either this one:
https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/the-no-cry-nap-solution/
or this one, or possibly both
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-new-contented-little-baby-book/contented-little-baby-gina-ford//9780091912697
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Author: senexclarinetta
Date: 2023-01-20 18:40
I think you're being wonderfully considerate. But as a parent I would have been horrified to think that someone preemptively gave up their musical hobby or restricted it severely to the point that they didn't upgrade their instrument because I had a baby. One has to expect that neighbors will continue to use their own houses, that cars will go down the street, etc.
If you have a room that doesn't adjoin theirs that's probably sufficient. Suggestions for soft dampening materials are good, too. And 4pm is likely a good practice time (after peak nap.)
I'd talk to your neighbor and ask them to let you know if it becomes a problem and that you're happy to work around it. My neighbor plays the drums. He came over when my kid was newborn and said to let him know if it was ever an issue. It never was! In my experience babies can sleep through a lot if it's regular and part of their "normal" background noise.
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Author: ElizabethMH
Date: 2023-01-25 16:04
Hi all,
Thanks so much for all your feedback. Some answers did make me chuckle. Funnily enough, there is jack hammering going on around the corner from my house. I think if you heard me play at some times the jack hammering would be preferable.
I definitely could sew my own 'clarinet mute blanket' Dan Shusta. That is a great idea.
Is the clarimate available beyond the USA? Having seen the videos, it's actually pretty impressive, even if the sound you hear is synthesised. I would probably plonk down the 450USD equivalent in pounds sterling for peace of mind (because my poor DH has to hear me play as well).
Unfortunately practically all walls are adjoining in a terraced house. But my other neighbours are post-graduate students, so I don't really care about them (no, I do as their very good and quiet, just joking).
I will definitely chat with them about the best time for me to practice. I have a feeling the new dad won't be playing his piano for a while. :-).
Elizabeth
Post Edited (2023-01-25 16:05)
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