Anti-noise law for Classical Music

[Krummhorn]

Yes, it appears to be true, at least in London where a new law has been enacted regarding "noise levels" exceeding the European noise-at-work limits.
An article here in the New York Times dated April 20, 2008, goes into further details.

I am appalled at learning of this ... geez, what next? Hearing protection for a car horn?

Comments?

 

[methodistgirl]

Krummhorn! Why can't this anti-noise law pick on some of this rap
music. Pick on something that is very relaxing to listen to when
these rap fans drive down the street with the car radio blasting
this rap music full of fowl language, obsene remarks on people, and
vulgarity. This should be what is under a noise ordinance. Not the
classical music.
judy tooley

 

[Krummhorn]

I whole heartedly agree with you, Judy.

Most days when driving about town on my errands, a car pulls up next to me at a stoplight, windows wide open, bass cranked up so far that I get an instant headache from the pounding, and then I am FORCED to hear this "rap crap" music ... If they like it so well, why don't they put up their windows and enjoy it to the fullest. Why they have to blast it to everyone around them escapes all knowledge of my understanding. They certainly would have words to say (if not shooting a gun) if I were to play a huge bombastic organ CD next to them.

According to the article though, from what I gather, is that the noise abatement only applies to the musicians, not the audience patrons. It's hard to imagine orchestra members being required to wear sound absorbing ear muffs during a performance at symphony hall.

 

[marval]

I'm afraid the EU has gone barmy.

How on earth can a musician be expected to cover their ears. Surely a musician needs to hear what he and the rest of the orchestra are playing. Otherwise tha audience might need ear muffs too.

I agrre with Judy there is some music that should be banned from playing too loud in public. Just because they want to deafen themselves, does not mean the rest of us do.


Margaret

 

[methodistgirl]

A-men to the both of you!
judy tooley

 

[rojo]

...if I were to play a huge bombastic organ CD next to them.

Do it. :lol: That'd be funny. :grin: I can just picture it too. You pull up next to a car at a stoplight, the sounds of <insert most bombastic organ piece ever here> blasting forth from your car, and the dudes in the car next to you all turn their heads to look, and are all 'what the...???', eyes all buggy. :lol: Then you could give 'em one of these- :ut: before driving off. :lol:

Ahem, ok, maybe not a great idea. Just imagining a humorous scenario there...

Didn't we have a discussion on a similar topic at some point? Hmm...

Anyway, I'm afraid I'm guilty of driving with loud music playing. It just sounds so good in the car. It so happens that it's not rap though. But then I love a great bass line, so sometimes the bass is a'thumpin'. On the other other hand, my windows are usually rolled up because either it's too cold, or it's too hot and the air conditioning is on.

I'd better stay out of that part of the discussion from now on though, as I know the situation is a pet peeve for some of you.

As to hearing protection for orchestra members, I think it's probably a good idea to be checking into it. If the members start to lose their hearing, that would be bad for everyone. And it's not like they can just pick up and go elsewhere; it's their job, so they're stuck there, day in day out. I haven't a clue as to the best way to deal with the problem, however.

 

[methodistgirl]

That's a good idea! Make sure it's Toccata & Fugue blasting from
the radio when you do.
judy tooley

 

[Krummhorn]

That's a good choice Judy.

Some other options would be Messiaen, or the last movement from Saint-Saens Symphony (The Organ Symphony) in C minor for organ/orchestra. The great sonorous C major organ chords with a fully symphony orchestra answering in reply might get the point across, too.

 

[marval]

How about going in competition with noisy music drivers, with the 1812 overture, cymbals and all of course.


Margaret

 

[Krummhorn]

Oohhh, you are evil, Margaret ... best choice yet ... and with my Monsoon 8 speaker audio system (which has lots of bass, too) I'll be certain to "violate" their ears.

Do you have these same kinds of problems (car boom boxes) in the UK as well?

 

[marval]

Hi Krummhorn

Sorry to be so evil

Yes I'm afraid we do have these problems. There is a childminder living down the road from us, and a girl who works there drives up to the house all guns (ie music) blazing. How she isn't deaf I will never know. A friend and I use to wait for the bus just outside, and it was ear splitting for us.


Margaret

 

[methodistgirl]

I've been to funerals where someone driving by would pass with the
radio blairing where the whole car would even viberate loudly from
that kind of music. Imagine how the family of the deceised felt.
I was at church one morning and Bro. Weyman was preaching his
heart out and a passer by had the radio blasting. I sat there just
cooking over what happened outside and said,"We need a noise
ordanace here in Madisonville." We also have those with
loud mufflers where when the light turns green it sounds
like the Indy 500.
judy tooley

 

[jvhldb]

Our neighbour's son insisted on playing his crap/rap at the highest possible volume and complaining had no results, until I moved my electric organ in front of the window and started practising scales at top volume everytime they wanted to watch sport (I had to wear earplugs for this). After about a week THEY started complaining, I gave them the same answers they gave us when we complained.

Shortly after that the music from accross the street stopped, we now have one of the quietest neibourhoods in town.

 

[marval]

Well done Johan

A case of getting your own back. but at least it worked.


Margaret

 

[rojo]

Hmm, methinks there's an idea for a new thread here for the pipe organ board (if there isn't one there like it already that is)- the most bombastic pieces for organ. Anyone interested in starting that off?

 

[methodistgirl]

That sounds like a good idea.
judy tooley

 

[Udyret]

There is no need for a law on this in my opinion. I do know, however, that hearing loss is a common thing for players in a symphony orchestra, and it's of course not a good thing to lose good players due to this. But what's needed is a change of attitude with the conductors; it can't be necessary to practice the fff all the time. Show then how your fff works a few times each rehearsal, and then put the volume a bit down. It's not fair that the conductors risk the members hearing due to their desires for the music. Practicing fff (when needed) all the time could be necessary with amateurs; but the folks in question are dedicated professionals who, like the conductors, aim for perfection. They don't need to show that they can play the conductor's fff all the time,
let them play a bit softer ocasionally to save their hearing.
But transfering the factory workers noise levels to the music is absolutely insane...

 

[Krummhorn]

Hmm, methinks there's an idea for a new thread here for the pipe organ board (if there isn't one there like it already that is)- the most bombastic pieces for organ. Anyone interested in starting that off?

Done! (click here)