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Hi all!!!

This time, I have a question about what kind of instrument you guys use as night time/quiet time playing? Acoustic piano with silent system, DP, or damper pedal???

For me, I am lucky to be able to keep the DP we got 2yrs ago...but when the time comes to actually upgrade my rented upright in a year or two...I am wondering if I should trade in the DP(if it still worth anything by then...) or just keep it as night time(here in Germany includes Sundays&holidays as quiet hours are observed ) practice piano...(another thing about this DP is that it is EU Kawai model so we won't be able to bring it back to the states...well, as far as we know...so I don't know if we should just trade it in...)

I also wonder if the upright that we buy comes with the damper pedal and if I use it everyday for quiet practice, will it hurt the mechanism of piano in a long run?? (maybe like wearing that function out much quicker?? will it be expensive to repair or replace the parts if that happens??)

Just wanted to explore everyones choices in this topic a little bit...appreciate any inputs from you!
Thanx...

p.s. I have heard about after market silent system installation option as well...but this is not such a good idea compared to factory installed silent system?? (I also heard from the dealer that factory installed silent system works like something is attached under each keys when they assemble the piano...is it noticeable when you play? To me, just the thoughts of some foreign material on keys almost make me want to stay away...as it sounds almost something unnatural is there.....I know I sound weird...but... Any thoughts???

The night-time practice routines will vary from all of us- partially dependent on what type of housing we have. I currently live in a condo--- although my immediate neighbors state my acoustic playing does not bother them, I do not practice it between the hours of 9 pm and 9 am if they are home.

A damper pedal, IMHO, should not be used in place of a mute rail.

I use an inexpensive digital with headphones for those hours when the acoustic is not appropriate, and I just can't wait

You might want to post your question about your EU DP being used in the US to the digital piano forum, and might inquire there about resell value.

No playing here at night. I have a acoustic grand but live in an appartment... So I have two hours in the evening. I believe that having limited time helps you focus on the job.

The official building rules say I can play the piano until 11:30 pm, but I never play the acoustic past 8:30 pm or early in the morning. I switch over to the digital, which I had before the acoustic showed up.

I should add those rules were written in 1947 when every apartment probably had a piano. This is a musical building. Only six units, but there are two uprights and one baby grand in the building now. Since I've lived here, three baby grands have come and gone, except for the one I have, which was kind of an accident. There are at least three digitals in the building, too.

A clavichord, though I've also used a Fender Rhodes.

I question your terminology, here. The "damper pedal" on acoustic pianos is the right pedal, the one that lifts the dampers off the strings and allows for sustain. Not using the damper pedal would give a very dry sound to playing and would be totally inappropriate for most Romantic and post-Romantic literature. If anything, along with sustain, the damper pedal allows for an increase in sound volume. Are you sure you mean "damper pedal"?

Regards,

I would assume they mean celeste rail.

A good digital setup (Kawai VPC1 + Nord Electro 5, the latter is a nice travel instrument as well).

I use the Yamaha CP-33 for nights, and for repetitive drilling at all times. I save the good grand for things that are getting close to presentable, both for the neighbors and to minimize wear and tear on the acoustic.

casio privia px850

dogperson - Yes I realize your housing arrangement can dictate your choices but I just wanted to know what are the options out there... I appreciate you including your housing information. And thank you for suggesting that I post about the DP value question in DP section. I hadn't thought of doing that...

wouter79 - Grand piano in an apartment! Very nice! I can see you need to spend quality time with your piano! Thank you for chiming in!

David Farley - Musical building? 1947! Interesting! I spent a couple of years in La Grange/Hinsdale area...fun time... Maybe having acoustic and DP is the good combo to have...but thank you for your input.

chopin_r_us - Thanks! Wasn't familiar with either of your words...had to google... I learned something new!

BruceD - Well as you can see from my reply above...and English being my second language...you can guess I don't have much of musicians bone in me... The damper pedal I meant is the right most pedal and I think it kinda mutes the sound of piano(?)...thought I could use it as that. (since it produces less volume...) But as dogperson suggested maybe I shouldn't...

maurus - Digital setup...sounds more and more to be a realistic choice... I guess it helps to have option to go less loud...sometimes.(especially when practicing.

JohnSprung - Ohhh grand piano for presenting your music! I feel the exact same way for letting neighbors hear my 'playing' music...

Appreciate you guys help, thank you!

My piano is in a basement studio, but of course it can be heard throughout the house. I play until about midnight most nights; loud, abrasive music. The kids sleep better during nights that I practice, and my wife is just really used to it and is lost in her TV shows while working anyway.

I am extremely fortunate to have the set up that I have.