MUSIC FROM MY NEIGHBOUR'S POINT OF VIEW - CONDITIONING MY SPACE

Source

I finally get to write this!
Being mindful of your neighbour is one of the most intentional things I've had myself do moving in and out of apartments.
I'm a saxophonist. So the reason is pretty obvious😅

More often than not, I often try to isolate my space from them and do things a little differently.

I've had to move apartments 8 times in the last 9 years and of those 9 times, I had a standard accompanying music studio built into the apartments only twice, including the one I'm in right now.

I've had neighbours who loved music and would not mind what comes out from my room, I've had neighbours who make a hell of noise with sound systems all day and have no idea a saxophonist lives next door😅, and I've also had neighbours who can't stand the sound of spoon falling on the floor at night🤷‍♂️.

So what do my Neighbours think about Music.
Here's my take on the question prompts by @mipiano

- Are you a musician or have a neighbour that is a musician?

Yes, I am a musician. A jazz saxophonist and woodwind instrumentalist.
Currently I have no neighbours in sight that are musicians, though I had some in the past.

- Does someone in your close family play an instrument?

Yes. My dad plays the harmonica and percussion. My mum sings. Funny thing is non of my siblings are musically oriented. I'm the only child who does music😏.
However, I have so many musician cousins.
My maternal grandfather played the pipe organ for 40 years in an Anglican church till he died. I never got to meet him because he died before I was born.

- Is it difficult to listen many times to the practicing sessions

I don't consider this a problem, because I don't read music very well. I transcribe pieces to tonic sofa notations if I must sight play.
So most of my practicing sessions involve heavy listening. Pieces with many notes and mode changes can be tiring. But once I get it, that's all! Pieces overburdened with licks can be tiring too.

- Is it nice do you find joy in that?

I enjoy doing listening generally. Asides from learning, I listen for both the listening pleasure and familiarising myself with the mood and character of the music - 2 important things in music performance.

- Do you have some funny moments?

Hmmn. Perhaps yes.
There are sometimes I try to play a piece but no matter how much I try to get it right, I just don't. I usually just drop the instrument and go to sleep.
Also, when I see an impossible move in a video material during practice, I just tell myself "not everyone will do that" and move on😅.

- Has someone ever complained to you if you study your musical instrument?

Not a neighbour.
I have quite a number of critical musicians for friends🤦. I'm self taught, so I do quite a number of things different from the conventional way. I remember rehearsing for concerts some years back and some fellow musicians would ask why I play differently and why I don't study the instrument to play the "right" way.

- What was the wildest thing you made in your flat bothering your neighbours?

We all know what it likely is.... Rock and Metal💥🎷🎸😅
Neighbours here can't understand why it is even considered music at all.
I would have said jazz, but jazz is not as wild as Rock and Metal.

- What is your favourite music you listen to loudly?

I have many. But one which has remained over the years is the Gospel According to Jazz Series by Kirk Whalum. I've listened to them so much, that I could hum almost everything.

Gospel According To Jazz Chapter 3
Source

Other significant mentions are Snarky Puppy albums, Marcus Miller, Gerald Albright, The Cavemen and other afrobeat sounds.

- Has someone called the Police?

This question makes me laugh each time I see it. We generally avoid anything that involves the Police over here. It's usually not worth much.
So most conflicts are resolved outside Police involvement, except their involvement is unavoidable.
So, like @jaydr put in his post, A RESOUNDING NO😅.

- What do your neighbours listen to and do you like it?

My neighbours usually listen to hiphop music most of the time.
I'm not really into hiphop. I only listen to them for performances that need them.
I'm a groove person. And I like the percussive type of groove.

In all, I find music refreshing when refined. Neighbours can get on the edge when practicing. It's one of the reasons I sound-proofed my practicing space. I just don't want to get on anyone's nerve at all.
Funny thing is some neighbours ask why I don't play my instrument because they never hear me play. I just tell them I do, but keep it on a low.
I've had some neighbours who enjoy hearing me play too!
Best thing, make your environment adaptable to suit everyone's preferences if possible.

Thanks for reading!