{"id":34596,"date":"2022-05-13T08:54:27","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T15:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=34596"},"modified":"2024-07-02T11:23:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T18:23:05","slug":"how-to-play-drums-in-an-apartment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/how-to-play-drums-in-an-apartment\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Play Drums In An Apartment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Can<em> <\/em>you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/how-to-practice-without-driving-the-neighbors-crazy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">play drums in an apartment quietly<\/a> enough to not upset your neighbors?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a big city comes a dense population, and apartment living is the norm. While your drum kit might sit comfortably in a suburban home, your apartment neighbors are far less likely to support your drumming journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drumming can be a struggle when you live in an apartment building. But if you want to keep practicing and improving, you&#8217;ll have to make it work somehow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep noise levels down.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In all my years of drumming, I\u2019ve lived in a few places where my neighbors were too close for comfort. I didn&#8217;t like hearing their kids watching episodes of Peppa Pig on repeat, but I\u2019m sure they loathed my drumming even more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After trying a few of the following methods, I found a happy medium where they couldn\u2019t hear me playing as clearly, and I even managed to block out most of the sound coming from their side. It was a win-win all around.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s look at a few options for practicing drums in an apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-muffle-acoustic-drums\">How to muffle acoustic drums<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#apartment-friendly-practice-pads\">Apartment-friendly practice pads<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#electronic-drum-kits\">Electronic drum kits<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-soundproof-a-room\">How to soundproof a room<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#make-friends-with-your-neighbors\">Make friends with your neighbors<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#schedule-your-practice-sessions\">Schedule your practice sessions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-muffle-acoustic-drums\"><strong>How to muffle acoustic drums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re playing an <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/6b1e9V\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">acoustic drum set<\/a>, you&#8217;ll need to tackle the resonance of the drums first. (In Europe? See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/acoustic_drums.html?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/acoustic_drums.html?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">acoustic drums here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re like me and whack your toms like you\u2019re playing at Wembley Stadium, they&#8217;ll be loud and intense if your drums aren\u2019t muffled.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Muffling refers to controlling the tones of your drums by placing things on top or inside of them. The more muffling you apply, the less resonance your drums have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drums produce these things called overtones, and they\u2019re often harsh and unpleasant to hear. Getting rid of these with muffling will make your drums sound better to both you and your neighbors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132234\/Muffle-mute-snare-drum-towel-reduce-noise-DSC_0146-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"muffle mute drum\" class=\"wp-image-34631\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132234\/Muffle-mute-snare-drum-towel-reduce-noise-DSC_0146-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132234\/Muffle-mute-snare-drum-towel-reduce-noise-DSC_0146-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132234\/Muffle-mute-snare-drum-towel-reduce-noise-DSC_0146-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132234\/Muffle-mute-snare-drum-towel-reduce-noise-DSC_0146.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, it\u2019s good to muffle your drums slightly so they maintain their tone. Killing off the resonance completely will give you a flat sound every time you play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, <strong>flat-sounding drums are exactly what you want in an apartment<\/strong>. The less resonance they have, the better.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/how-to-tune-drums\/#Muffling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">muffle your drums<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Stick tape on the heads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use muffling accessories like <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/MXVmx3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Moongels<\/a> (in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/smile_moongel.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>) or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/store\/detail\/ERRock--evans-e-rings-rock-pack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">E<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/KeGjLA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">&#8211;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/store\/detail\/ERRock--evans-e-rings-rock-pack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Rings<\/a> (in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/evans_e14er2.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Place soft objects inside the drums like cotton balls or towels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove the resonant heads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Put objects on the drumheads like wallets, towels, or other household items<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can go one step further to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Buy quieter cymbals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replace your standard heads with mesh heads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And if you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Q-MrcleOMCY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">strike your kit lighter<\/a>, so be it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"apartment-friendly-practice-pads\"><strong>Apartment-friendly practice pads<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132601\/2020-02-26-quiet-pad-275-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"practice pad drums\" class=\"wp-image-34634\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132601\/2020-02-26-quiet-pad-275-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132601\/2020-02-26-quiet-pad-275-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132601\/2020-02-26-quiet-pad-275-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22132601\/2020-02-26-quiet-pad-275.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While they may not sound as fun as playing on your actual drum set, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/drumshop\/quietpad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">practice pads<\/a> are important in helping you develop your technique and speed.\u00a0(In Europe? See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/drumeo_quietpad.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">practice pads here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing on a pad won&#8217;t bother your neighbors*, so it\u2019s ideal for practice at times when loud drumming is a non-negotiable. Practice pads are simple, no-frills tools, which makes it easier to focus on one thing rather than getting distracted by a full set of drums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Do you ever zone out mid-session and jam your favorite fills over and over? Me too.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get the most out of this practice method, work your hands and bass drum foot simultaneously by setting up a pad on a stand and a pad for your foot. The Drumeo <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/drumshop\/quietkick\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">QuietKick<\/a> is the perfect option here: it\u2019s a small pad for your bass drum pedal that has multiple surface options, with the ultra quiet strike pad an ideal surface for apartment practicing. (In Europe? Shop the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/drumeo_double_quietkick.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/drumeo_double_quietkick.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">QuietKick here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22124349\/2022-03-17-KRad-Quiet-Kit-122-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"drumeo quietkick bass drum practice pad\" class=\"wp-image-34628\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22124349\/2022-03-17-KRad-Quiet-Kit-122-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22124349\/2022-03-17-KRad-Quiet-Kit-122-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22124349\/2022-03-17-KRad-Quiet-Kit-122-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22124349\/2022-03-17-KRad-Quiet-Kit-122.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>*Note that the kicking sound on a bass drum practice pad can sometimes still be heard through walls and floors, depending on your building&#8217;s construction and your location in the apartment. Be cautious of that when working on your pedal technique.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"electronic-drum-kits\"><strong>Electronic drum kits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22123253\/2019-11-25-IN-HOME-269-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"electronic drum kit\" class=\"wp-image-34625\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22123253\/2019-11-25-IN-HOME-269-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22123253\/2019-11-25-IN-HOME-269-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22123253\/2019-11-25-IN-HOME-269-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22123253\/2019-11-25-IN-HOME-269.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>An electronic drum set is the most ideal option for drumming in an apartment. You can put on a set of headphones, and all anyone will hear is the tapping of pads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If I polled all of your neighbors, I guarantee they&#8217;ll prefer that over the sound of acoustic drums.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Electronic drum kits have come a long way in the past decade. What used to be expensive and unattainable is now found in most entry-level sets. If you can\u2019t make your acoustic drum set work in your apartment, then I\u2019d suggest getting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/the-ultimate-guide-to-buying-electronic-drums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a good electronic kit<\/a> from either <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/rnyQ35\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Alesis<\/a> (in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/alesis_electronic_drums.html?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/alesis_electronic_drums.html?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>), <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/P0gy9X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Yamaha<\/a> (in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/yamaha_electronic_drums.html?gk=DRED&amp;sp=solr&amp;category%5B%5D=DREDSE&amp;cme=true&amp;manufacturer%5B%5D=Yamaha&amp;bn=Yamaha&amp;filter=true&amp;offid=1&amp;affid=882\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/yamaha_electronic_drums.html?gk=DRED&amp;sp=solr&amp;category%5B%5D=DREDSE&amp;cme=true&amp;manufacturer%5B%5D=Yamaha&amp;bn=Yamaha&amp;filter=true&amp;offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>), or <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/kjv03n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Roland<\/a> (in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/roland_electronic_drums.html?gk=DRED&amp;sp=solr&amp;category%5B%5D=DREDSE&amp;cme=true&amp;manufacturer%5B%5D=Roland&amp;bn=Roland&amp;filter=true&amp;offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out these links for more on electronic drums:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/why-you-should-buy-electronic-drums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Why You Should Buy Electronic Drums<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/the-ultimate-guide-to-buying-electronic-drums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Ultimate Guide To Buying Electronic Drums<\/a> (shopping guide)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/quick-guide-to-electronic-drums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Quick Guide To Electronic Drums<\/a> (video)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/8-tips-for-playing-electronic-drums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">8 Tips For Playing Electronic Drums<\/a> (video\/article)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t want you to give up just yet, though, so here are some soundproofing tips that could mean setting up an acoustic kit in your apartment after all.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-soundproof-a-room\"><strong>How to soundproof a room<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Actually soundproofing a room is harder than most people realize. Soundproofing is also very different from sound <em>insulating<\/em>. These are two things that I learned the hard way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Putting egg cartons, foam, or blankets around the room can help cut down on noise but it&#8217;s <em>not<\/em> considered soundproofing, so your neighbors might still come knocking.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Soundproofing<\/strong> stops sound from leaving the room.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sound insulating<\/strong> absorbs sound so it doesn&#8217;t echo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Soundproofing is more effective because it can completely block sound. But it&#8217;s typically more time-consuming and often more expensive than sound insulating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at a few steps to accomplish both in an apartment setting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Choose where to place your drums<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your drums&#8217; location is the most important factor in keeping the sound levels down in your building. In an ideal scenario, you&#8217;d live on the first floor. If you don\u2019t, the bass drum will vibrate through the floors, causing everyone below you to hear what you\u2019re doing. Keep this in mind if you plan on moving anytime soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you already live on a higher floor, you may need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=z0Kxoa5K1vg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">build a shock-resistant platform under your drums<\/a> to absorb some of the vibrations &#8211; something that can quickly become a problem, even with an electronic kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t place your drums against a wall you share with neighbors. That&#8217;ll be the fastest way to irritate them when they\u2019re trying to watch TV or do some work. If you have no choice, place the kit as far away from the wall as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Find items to reduce the sound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Placing sound absorption objects around a room will eliminate the reverb and make your drums more pleasant to listen to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While this isn\u2019t proper soundproofing, absorbing the sound will lower the volume slightly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some objects that help with sound absorption:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Blankets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carpets and rugs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heavy paintings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Egg cartons (note that these help with sound insulation, not soundproofing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re renting your space, sound absorption methods are great as they aren\u2019t permanent. Placing <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/QOXyLP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">sound panels<\/a> on your walls is a good option. However, they\u2019re quite expensive unless you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Tdmr3R7ALps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">make them yourself<\/a>.\u00a0(For Europe, buy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/search_dir.html?smcs=f3b426_1072&amp;sw=%20sound%20panels&amp;sp=solr&amp;category%5B%5D=STAKSE&amp;cme=true&amp;filter=true&amp;offid=1&amp;affid=882\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/search_dir.html?smcs=f3b426_1072&amp;sw=%20sound%20panels&amp;sp=solr&amp;category%5B%5D=STAKSE&amp;cme=true&amp;filter=true&amp;offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sound panels here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A more affordable method is to hang <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Blanket-US-Cargo-Control-Inches\/dp\/B07W7XQ8V7\/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1R3II60WBLFAQ&amp;keywords=soundproof+blanket&amp;qid=1650631629&amp;sprefix=soundproof+blank%2Caps%2C497&amp;sr=8-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">soundproof blankets<\/a> on the walls. These won\u2019t look as aesthetically pleasing as sound panels, but they will arguably do a better job of stopping sound from getting through to the other side of the walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can do this with normal blankets too, but remember that the thicker they are, the better.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re renting your apartment, this video has a few good tips for temporary sound deadening that won&#8217;t damage the walls:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Apartment Soundproofing That WORKS! - No Tools Required!\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lq39RmAVcxA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Replace the doors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to do some proper soundproofing, you\u2019re going to need to alter the structure of your apartment a bit. When renting, get permission from your landlord before doing any of this. Otherwise, you may run into big issues down the road.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My biggest suggestion would be to change the doors of your apartment. I never knew how much sound traveled through doors until I put a solid core door in my drum room. Most apartment doors are hollow core doors, which are light and inexpensive. But the problem with hollow core doors is that your drum sound will travel through them with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After installing solid core doors, you could take it a step further by creating a double door system. This is how most professional studios do it. You walk through one heavy door, then through a second one that&#8217;s a bit lighter but still solid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22145115\/double-door.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34654\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22145115\/double-door.jpg 800w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22145115\/double-door-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22145115\/double-door-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Double door (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.johnlsayers.com\/phpBB2\/viewtopic.php?f=2&amp;t=3205\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Source<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The double door system is the best way of soundproofing a room, but it may only be possible to pull off if you own your apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can go one step further with sound prevention by sealing the doorways with weather strips and attaching door sweeps to the bottom of the doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Build a room within a room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Creating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1NDoN6VCZ2Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">a room within a room<\/a> is key to full-on soundproofing. In an apartment setting, you can do this by setting up drywall as an inner wall and placing some sort of insulation material in between the drywall and the main wall.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m the worst handyman on planet earth, so this isn\u2019t something I would try to build myself. If you\u2019re anything like me, I\u2019d suggest hiring a professional to do it for you. If you can pull it off, having a room within a room will be the best thing to stop your drum noise from traveling through the building. At the very least, having inner walls will stop the sound from being as intense for the neighbors on either side of you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-friends-with-your-neighbors\"><strong>Make friends with your neighbors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22122523\/2021-04-29-bad-neighbour-ad-105-1024x664.jpg\" alt=\"play drums quietly\" class=\"wp-image-34623\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22122523\/2021-04-29-bad-neighbour-ad-105-1024x664.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22122523\/2021-04-29-bad-neighbour-ad-105-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22122523\/2021-04-29-bad-neighbour-ad-105-768x498.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/22122523\/2021-04-29-bad-neighbour-ad-105.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with all the muffling, insulating, and soundproofing, your apartment neighbors may still think you\u2019re the most irritating person in the building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve always found it incredibly valuable to be open with the people around me. Talking to your neighbors about your passion and need to drum at home can go a long way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try getting them to understand what your goals are, why you love drumming, and what it means to you. They may end up supporting you. I\u2019ve had neighbors attend my gigs before because they felt like they were with me on my drumming journey after hearing all of my practicing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you offer them an opportunity to play your drums themselves, they may be even more open to letting you play. It\u2019ll be a fun activity for them, and they\u2019ll understand what you\u2019re doing a bit more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"schedule-your-practice-sessions\"><strong>Schedule your practice sessions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than not knowing when a loud noise is going to stop. <strong>Establishing a set practice schedule with your apartment neighbors could be the answer to getting them all on your side<\/strong>. If they know the exact hours that you\u2019re going to play, they\u2019re less likely to complain as they can plan their activities around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also find out when your neighbors aren\u2019t around. That\u2019s typically the best time to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Keep on drumming&#8230;respectfully<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the day, drums are loud instruments that are often met with resistance from the people around you. As drummers, we need to make the best of what we have to continue practicing &#8211; especially if you don&#8217;t have a recording studio or basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some apartment complexes, your neighbors might be fine with you playing your acoustic kit at full volume within a certain time window. In other complexes, it means you\u2019ll have to use an electronic kit as acoustic drums are simply too loud for the area, even with soundproofing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do everything you can to cut back on the noise and keep your neighbors happy. This way, you can keep doing what you love.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>*This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission from the product seller if you make a purchase. For more info, check out our <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>privacy page.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These tips will help you play drums in your apartment quietly so you don&#8217;t upset your neighbors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":198,"featured_media":34663,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4020],"tags":[3725],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34596"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/198"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34596"}],"version-history":[{"count":59,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34596\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51915,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34596\/revisions\/51915"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}