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Thanks for the perspective from a musician, that is helpful. How would you feel if someone offered you a practice room a flight up from your apartment?
Would there be any liability issues if you offer the room on a regular basis (e.g., if she's injured)? No one else in the building is bothered? Might someone else be bothered if she changes her practice location to one floor up from where she is now? I'd first have a talk with her. Maybe she's unaware it's causing anyone a problem. Maybe it's temporary. I'd see what she suggests before offering your room to a stranger, even if it's a neighbor.
Option 1. Add an extra layer of drywall. This will most likely at the very least cut out the conversations you hear. The 3 hours of music may be tolerable, but I know conversations can be very annoying.
Option 2. Remove existing drywall. Use green glue, sound boards, and drywall. This will definitely remove any vocal sounds unless they are actually screaming.
Option 3. Remove the current drywall, and fill the studs with fiberglass materials. Lay up some sheet rock or sound proofing boards. Build another wall a few inches out, with 2x4 studs. Repeat the process. Make sure you move any electrical outlets towards the new wall. Use pads on the outlets as they can also leak sound.
By having two walls filled with fiberglass, and a gap between the two walls, you can now block a lot more sound. If you find it is not enough, consider doing the floor and ceiling on that side of the house.
The more mass between you and them, the quieter it will be.
Just the sound of the activity might make the neighbor suddenly aware.
If the neighbor whispers "I think they can hear us", whisper back "Yes, I can".
As the OP is searching for a solution s/he should think about other spaces in the building where a musician could practice. For example, our stockholder store rooms are very spacious, in the basement. They would make for a perfect practice room. There may be a 'Board Room' or rarely used activity room that would be appropriate.
Silverfall, I agree, some don't have a clue they're talking very loud. I notice the older I get, the deafer I get, the louder I talk. One son starts cringing, and I tone it down.
I didn't mean to say the neighbor was as thoughtless as my post sounded. I just cant fathom anyone not realizing playing any instrument is not going to bug others. I've just always been concerned about what I do that might upset my neighbors.
Put insulation in that has a very high NRR (noise reduction rating), then double up the sheetrock (one board on top of the other).....you will hear very, very little or nothing coming though the walls.
Ever Sell a Home Over a Neighbor or Community Issue?
I'm curious if any of you have sold a home over a problem either with the area or a neighbor. I live in a town on the edge of the foothills north of Sacramento, CA.. The house is in a 1970s subdivision and has 55 homes clustered together on 60x100 lots. My problem is air quality in the winter. Bought it in 2010 and we've had a lot of inversions in the winter months (drought) and the air quality is horrible. Specifically, it seems every third house is burning a wood stove and the air is choking with smoke most of the time. I've weatherstripped like crazy, but you can't keep the smell or the particulates out completely. Burning eyes, coughing, even a bit of nausea from the constant faint "campfire" smell in my house. Its not my adjacent neighbors doing it, just the community is general. Smokiest place I've ever lived!
TL;DR, have you ever sold and moved over such an issue or other type problem with an area or neighbor? What was your breaking point? I really don't want to have to, I'd take a pretty big loss between the price drop and realtor fees. Plus there's no guarantee I'd get a better situation.
As for the loud talking, I would turn on the TV loud enough to drown out the conversation next dorr, then when they come over to complain you tell them I had to because I can hear you talking all the time and I don't want to be invading your privacy in case I hear something too personal.
That's interesting that you say they usually rent a practice room -- I would have thought so too. I mean, I wouldn't mind if it were quiet piano playing but a french horn is one of the loudest instruments, I would not want to annoy my neighbors, personally.
My very quick research online has lead me to believe that practicing music is not usually regarded as a criminal amount of noise-making. Nor would I want to escalate things to a conflict like that, I'm more interested in finding a solution that keeps us friendly with the neighbor.
There is technically a noise ordinance, but it's mainly about construction noise being limited to working hours for those doing renovations. I'll need to check again if there is anything about music. Though again, I think that would be rather a slap in the face to the neighbor, and I would dread making an enemy.
Ha Ha Ha!! If you think French Horn is loud, just be glad she's not playing trumpet! Sounds like the soundproofing is terrible where you live, if you can hear their conversation in the next unit. Anyone who lives there, unless it is a silent single person who doesn't like to listen to music, is going to disturb you. I would not think that someone should not be able to play the French Horn (one of the loveliest instruments to listen to, in my opinion, with its rich, warm sound) in their apartment during normal hours that people are awake, namely, 8 AM to ten PM.
Just go over and kindly tell them you can hear them talking and playing music. They might not know the sound goes through the walls, especially since no one has said anything about it. I wouldn't offer any extra room or anything like that. Just talk to them to get the conversation started.
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One son starts cringing, and I tone it down. 
Ever Sell a Home Over a Neighbor or Community Issue?
