How to Practice Piano in a Noisy Home

It is possible to practice piano in a noisy home.  Growing up, I was the only one out of my sisters and I who took piano lessons.  I was also the most introverted of us all and therefore needed quiet.  If you’ve grown up with siblings, there will be no quiet time…EVER.

Finding the quiet time to practice with a dog barking, a dishwasher running, a cat scratching in the litter box, sisters yelling, a mom starting the washing machine, and a mower going outside was no easy feat.  I want to help show you how to practice piano efficiently, even with all the interruptions in this blog post and in episode 7 of the Learn Piano Together podcast.

Put the piano in a quiet part of the house

Ok…I know this is easier said than done.  When I was in middle school, the only place we could put the piano was in the dining room that was right by the kitchen.  Noisy place much?  So, I know from first hand experience that it is not always possible to find a quiet part of the house.

But, if you are lucky enough to find a quiet space, put the piano there.  This could be in the child who is taking lessons bedroom, in an office space, any room the door can be closed, or a back room away from the tv and the kitchen areas.  Once again, if it’s not possible to find a quiet spot in the house, then put the piano wherever there is room.

 

Find a good time to practice

When is a good time to practice?  Well, this is up to you and what works best in your family.  I always practiced right after I did my homework.  My sisters would play outside or quietly in their rooms to give me some time to practice.  When I got older, my mom would run errands with my sisters or I would figure out when they would be gone so I could have some quiet time.

The “good time to practice” could be in the morning when a show is on for the other kids, at lunch time while everyone else is finishing their meal, in the afternoon when others are playing outside, after dinner when clean up is happening.  Like I said, you know your family dynamics better than anyone, so figure out what works best for you and your child and do that.

 

If you have headphones, use them

Obviously to be able to use headphones, you would need to practice on a keyboard.  This is definitely a great option for those who want to save money by not purchasing a full piano, who want to learn more than just piano and want to play with the settings on a keyboard, or who need the noise blocking headphones to practice.

I know for myself, sometimes I’m practicing to a track on my phone, so I’ll use in ears.  There are several different types of headphones out there, and even some pianos now that have a place for you to plug them into.  If so, I would definitely try to find one of these options so your child can feel like they have some peace and quiet, even if it’s loud all around them.

 

Have a plan and stick to it

If you have a practice schedule set for your child, try to stick to it so everyone in your family gets used to it.  Block out the time on a calendar or remind your friends and family verbally when your child is going to practice so everyone is aware that they need to give your family some space for 30 minutes or so.

Your plan will change day to day or week to week, but as long as you’re communicating your expectations with those in your life, it will all work out and they will want to see your child succeed.   Maybe your child can practice right after dinner while everyone else is outside.  Or, they can practice while everyone else goes upstairs to watch tv.  Find what works for you and your family and make a plan.

If all else fails, try again another day

I am all about a daily practice schedule, even if you can only squeeze it in for 10-15 minutes.  But, please hear me, give yourself grace if your child can’t practice on a certain day, because there are too many interruptions.  Make your child’s next practice session count, and I promise they will still be successful.

Just like with anything in life, everything won’t always go according to plan.  It’s frustrating if you’ve made a practice schedule and your child is good about following through with it.  But, then their little brother might get sick, you need to run him to the doctor, and the child learning piano can’t stay home alone.  Whatever the interruption is, know that it’s ok.  One night of missing practice will not affect your child learning to play piano.  Motivation and the desire to learn matter a heck of a lot more.

 

Have you ever had a hard time practicing because of the noise in your home?  I would love to hear all about your experiences.  If your child is ready to learn piano (even in a noisy home), I would love for you to check out my online piano lessons. 

 

If you are wanting an idea of a great keyboard to start on (I have the same one in my home), then I recommend the this one that comes with the keyboard, headphones, music stand, pedal and bench.  I recommend some other keyboards you can check out here. If you are wanting a piano, you can find really great ones at your local music stores or even on Craigslist.  Whether you go the digital piano route, or are wanting an upright piano, the choice is really yours.

 

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