Hi,
I bought an electric guitar about a year ago, and have made some progress in learning how to play, although it’s really only a side hobby.
I will be moving to Japan in two months, and am unsure if it’s worth it to bring it. I have read that Japanese apartment walls are very thin, and there’s a low tolerance for noise, even during the daytime. Of course I wouldn’t be using an amp to practice (electric guitars are quieter than acoustic ones when not plugged in). Is this a good or bad idea? Alternately, are there spaces that can be rented in a typical smaller town, for practice?
If it’s more trouble than it’s worth, I’ll probably just gift the guitar to some kid before I leave. Just wondering if anyone has any experience/insight with this sort of thing, thanks in advance!
6 comments
There are countless number of digital amp/effects processing apps/programs that you can pump through headphones and play along to your favorite tunes if you are so inclined. I played through Yonac Tonestack v3 (check the app stores) through an iPhone 6 (because it still had a headphone jack) with an A/D converter (Jam by Apogee, but there are many others) and absolutely loved it. It’s a great way to pass the time with minimal sound escape into neighboring areas. $0.02
Just rent a studio or go to a karaoke to practice.
I have a violin that I can’t play right now since I’m in an apartment, but also have an electric guitar, electric bass guitar, and electronic keyboard that I do play. I just play them all with headphones. I’m considering getting an electronic drum set, too, but need to make sure that I won’t be hammering on my downstairs neighbour’s head with the pedal.
Headphones.
Also, your ward office may have satellite offices with rooms that you can book for activities.
The community center down the road has a music practice room, for example. There might be one near you.
People go out and practice in the park, no joke. Or else rent out a karaoke room and practice in there.
You’re right about low tolerance to noise, Japanese apartment buildings are (pretty much) dead silent at any point during the day even if all the residents are at home! Even the noises of kids coming home, running across a hallway / stairwell … are extremely minimal, and hushed quickly.
Because of this – apartments that allow musical instruments are rarer, although certainly available. If you’re willing to restrict your hunt to apartments that allow musical instruments, you could practise your guitar without too many restrictions. Alternatively, you could sneak in the guitar, and always practise with the headphones on, and potentially have no one find out that you’re doing this (shouldn’t be too difficult, no one is about to check your belongings when you move in!)