If that can help, here is my experience with a ventilation used by a restaurant: it was equivalent to a truck engine on for over15 hours a day: I called 311 explaining the situation, then was directed to the DEP. Made an appointment with them, they measured the noise level, and sure enough,it was way above the accepted noise level set by city rules.
The restaurant was notified,and didn't do anything, although it was fined several thousands bucks. After the legal 3 months period, I called again,( same process,same noise level measured) and a court order was issued to the restaurant. They finally fixed the noise, few days before the date of appearance.
So, sadly a business is quite reluctant to act on a problem it is causing, but there are solutions.
The DEP coming to the location and evaluating the noise level is free of charge.And they are pretty efficient in taking care of this matter.
More problematic is if the noise is generated by people (using an outdoor space for exemple), not a device. I'm dealing with this now,and it is way less simple to have the DEP act on it, since they consider such a nuisance being of a different category. But they will come inspect the place anyway, if you bring the matter to their agency through 311. I find people helpful at 311, and sometimes very helpful: since I had to call several times, I got some agents quite experienced with such a problem and able to direct me to the appropriate service.

Good luck.

Posted by: milou at January 14, 2010 10:10 AM in response to Noise from Bar/Restaurant

Bars respecting their hours of operation in backyards or terraces, etc...? Thanks for the news! You might be living in an amazing location, because I haven't had the chance to live near one of those places, I believe like more than 99 percent New yorkers!

Posted by: milou at October 26, 2009 11:32 AM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

Hey Rob,
Don't you think that a bit more than 1 per cent New Yorkers might have a musical sense and would be able to make a difference between bar noise or whatever disrespectful conduct we have to put up with and somebody whose profession is a musical one? Playing between 11am and 3pm seems pretty normal and wise to me.
In any condo or co-op by laws, you will find a mention of musical activity.They usually don't permit practising between 10pm and 8am. As for the rest of the day, as long as carpets and other devices to contain excessive noise are installed, musical activity is accepted.

Posted by: milou at October 26, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

Since we are on the topic, I am wondering what people think is reasonable to expect of a professional musician re: bending over backward.

We have a small piano at home (almost like a spinet). The piano stands on a rug. Our downstairs neighbors have 2 kids, ages 5 and 3, and the mom stays home with them, and practically at any given time it's a nap time for one of them. Or, so she claims, when she calls as soon as my husband starts playing. Oh, and the kids' bedtime is 7:30 pm, so no playing in the evening either. The kick is, he probably playing at most once per week; I am not even talking about regular practice for hours or giving lessons.

Now, I wonder at what point we should start ignoring the phone calls and banging on the floor. Additionally, any additional soundproofing suggestions that can be easily implemented?

Posted by: kensingtonka at October 26, 2009 1:45 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

As someone who will reply with a Different angle
What floor is this piano being moved to?
Baby Grand Pianos are some of the HEAVIEST and cumerbersome things to move
(take it from me I worked for a moving company here in NY for years)
They require a lot of expertise and if this person is moving this piano up the narrow stairs to a 3rd floor walk up - GOOD FRIGGIN LUCK
many times these pianos have to be hoisted up which can damage all sorts of things (piano, bldg facade, roof,windows)

this is a big ol UGH - if she's a professional - she should pay $250 a month to rent some studio space in Sunset Park

Posted by: gemini10 at October 26, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

LARGE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARE NOT APARTMENT FRIENDLY!!!!!

If you want to play the piano, live in a house. The woman has 2 little kids, and she's telling you that it bothers her. Pianos are loud. Have you considered listening to her?

Posted by: slick at October 26, 2009 1:58 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

kensa, seems you should try and speak directly to her and come up with a specific time you can play. If she's just a ball breaker then play anytime you like up to 10PM.

Posted by: denton at October 26, 2009 2:03 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

Per your logic, neither are small kids. I was under assumption that when one decides to live in an apartment building in a city, they agree to accept a certain level of discomfort caused by living next to a large number of people. Her banging on the ceiling bothers me a lot.

FYI, so far we are listening to her, meaning stopping immediately when she calls or bangs on the ceiling. But...we have a right to enjoy some music in our home too between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm.

Posted by: kensingtonka at October 26, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

The last two places I lived I could hear piano, and/or harpsichord practice and thought it was great.

Posted by: BHS at October 26, 2009 2:33 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

Folks, are you guys serious? (Possibly) hearing jazz piano played by a pro is horrible? You'd rather listen to screaming children or parties or bar noise? For real? I hate to get old New Yorker on you guys, but first of all, this is a city. It's full of people of all kinds. That's what makes it great. Second of all, the arts being embedded throughout the city is part of what makes it unique. Unfortunately, too many musicians have been driven out of the city by insane costs. Music is a wonderful thing. Good grief. And yes, I've lived near musicians. I've been in apartments where I could hear a cellist, an opera singer, a flamenco guitarist...

Posted by: lucille at October 26, 2009 2:38 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

kensingtonka,
Here's a thread from a pianist bulletin board. Check the post about fiberglass backed ceiling panels.
http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Forum/3/topic/003967/Number/0/site_id/1#import
If you try being reasonable and downstairs neighbors are not, then yes you have a right to music til 10pm, to hell with them.

Maybe the pianist looking for an apartment should check if there's anything here
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/realestate/03habi.html
Musicians Preferred

Posted by: Bklnite at October 26, 2009 2:43 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

I totally agree with lucille. She's a Jazz pianist, not a heavy metal drummer (Wilco reference intentional). In renting to this pianist, you are helping to add beauty to the world that needs it. She sounds totally reasonable, and professional. And if she hasn't had problems in the past, as she says, if you trust her, rent to her.

I realize my comment may sound sappy, but whatev.

Posted by: noodlemanias at October 26, 2009 2:48 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

I am often surprised how little sound carries in my apartment building. I crank my stereo up, go outside, and hear nothing.

11-3 in the daytime seems perfectly reasonable. 10-4 seems reasonable too.

Anyone who has spent time in the music department of their college of school would know how much and what type of noise a baby grand makes - not as much as you'd think!

Do it.

Posted by: infinitejester at October 26, 2009 2:58 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?