I recently bought and am learning to play the banjo. I have been playing it at home and it’s not my first instrument (I played some other instruments as a kid/teen) so I don’t sound terrible and there have been no problems so far but I want to give my neighbors a break and play it in the park sometimes when the weather is nice. Banjo’s can be pretty loud and I appreciate my neighbors being cool about it so it’s only fair if I don’t make them listen to it every time I practice. I’m not aware of any laws against playing instruments in the park, nor have I seen any indication of park policy against it. I used to see a guy playing a wooden recorder there but I haven’t seen him in several years.
My wife is telling me not to do it because someone will probably complain. Recently there was supposed to be a playground constructed in this park but it was cancelled due to complaints from the elderly and my wife’s concern is that someone will complain about me playing my banjo in the park and I will get in trouble. For clarity this is a large city park, not one of those tiny neighborhood playgrounds. The playground they were going to construct was set to go in a large empty area within the park.
Basically I want to know if anyone else has experience with playing instruments in the park and if you had to deal with complaints. And in the case of complaints, how did you deal with the situation and what would you recommend? I think my wife is overreacting but the situation involving the playground does make me think that she may be right. My attitude going into this is that there are no laws or park rules against it therefore it is my right to play my banjo in the park. I want to know the proper way to handle it if anyone does complain or if anyone tries to tell me that I can’t play there.
24 comments
Can the nationalists not blast propaganda at 8am on the weekends?
If you playing a banjo would get you in any legal trouble, we’d all have peaceful weekend sleep ins. Alas, we don’t, so I’d say your banjo is fine.
I’d be *less* concerned about being a nuisance playing in the park than in my apartment. I think your wife’s trying to tell you something.
If it’s a big park (like Ueno or Yoyogi) chances are no one will care unless you have the thing hooked up to an amp or something. It’s when the park is within hearing distance from houses there could be complaints and unfortunately you can’t really win in that case since even if there are no explicit rules against doing something there is an umbrella rule for causing nuisance.
I suppose you can try and quit when you do get a complaint. Aside from that Karaoke boxes are good place to practice
Something something secure your banjo.
Many people choose outdoors for practicing woodwinds and string because of claustrophobic neighborhoods. Daylight hours and conscientiousness of sharing space? Go for it.
Someone will ALWAYS complain. Doesn’t matter what you do or how you do it, if other people are around someone will complain. We cannot, and should not, let the knowledge that someone will complain stop us from doing things as long as we do them with some common sense.
playing an instrument in a public space? perfectly fine!
Theres always an ojisan who plays guitar and sings in the park next to my house during the weekend. The obaachans don’t seem to mind, they often sit next to him and listen or talk to him. I think you’ll be fine.
Wow, so glad I don’t live near someone who practices a banjo within earshot.
If you mean a big park where you can find a spot away from houses/other people, go for it. If it is a small park, better not to.
Good luck with your quest to master one of the most annoying instruments ever… let me guess, next instrument to learn will be the bagpipes?
Edit: edited the first word – didn’t notice the user name!
It’s not uncommon for Japanese students to practice instruments in a park. You’ll be fine.
You can always go to a karaoke box. Lots of people do that with their musical instruments. Super cheap in the afternoon on the weekdays
I’ve always played banjo at home. Though it’s louder than an acoustic guitar, the decay is more rapid. The volume also varies whether you’re frailing or playing bluegrass style. You can buy mutes for banjo, too, though I’ve never tried one. Try playing at home in one room and seeing if someone in the next room can hear it well: some walls work well at blocking the sounds. I’ve never had any complaints, but I’ve felt compelled to play guitar at a park if I’m playing very early or very late.
There are always people at the parks, wherever I go, who play the trumpet, guitar, sing, or anything else. You’ll be fine 🙂
Just practice outside the nearest train station? put a hat upside down in front of you and people may even pay you.
Rent a karaoke box.
I go to the park to play because I’d be too noisy in my apartment. I’ve never gotten a complaint, and have seen japanese people playing in the park before.
Though the parks I play in are bigger, and not right next to people’s houses. I’d probaby get a complaint if I played at 9 PM in the 5m x 5m park right next to the neighbors house though.
A wise man once said, “You can’t be sad when you’re playing the banjo, but you sure can make other people sad.”
There you go. There’s your permission.
Firstly, I love the banjo, and I’ve heard people play stringed instruments like koto in parks and I think it’s really nice, you might find people enjoy it (assuming you’re good!). I think you should just do it.
Secondly, being in Japan, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Asking permission will likely result in teeth sucking.
Finally you won’t get in trouble. If someone objects then you might get a park official having a word at the end of a song. Solution – one long medley!
I hope you play on the park. Maybe pause now and than if anyone is around as ask them if it is okay to continue.
>My wife is telling me not to do it because someone will probably complain.
#NOPE.
My nephew came to Japan laat year and RIGHT NOW he is playing his banjo in the park at [Tama Plaza ](https://tokyocheapo.com/locations/yokohama-and-kanagawa/tama-plaza/)—**no problem.**
Of course, your milage-may-differ but just change the venue/park that is more “removed” from habituation such as the massive [floodplain parks](https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-parks-tokyo) of Tokyo.
Someone used to play bagpipes at the beach near me. I miss him
These are the posts we live for. Play it u/2Fish5Loaves , and play it good.
Osaka Castle Park, Nagai Park (or any big ryokuchi park like Sakai or Tsurumi) and the banks of the Yamato or Yodo rivers are good places to practice. Big, wide open spaces where the noise won’t carry so much and people can get away from it and enjoy the parks. At Osaka Castle, I usually see people practicing along the edge of Tamatsukuri-suji, away from people. Edit: Oops, didn’t see where you named your location. These are just Osaka places.
As a general rule regarding doing anything fun here : you probably can’t but just do it anyway
the park as you described will be fine, or perhaps a riverbank if you have one of those nearby. otherwise a karaoke box or music studio. as for how to placate your wife 🤷♂️🤷♀️🤷