Prepping an apartment for a piano (carpet, noise, neighbors, room)

[sonarrat]

I've been playing the piano since I was knee-high. I have a college degree in classical music. Now I'm out in the real world; I've been on my own for a year and a half now, and in that time I have not been able to practice on a real piano. I've had to make do with my digital, and it just isn't the same. My technique is deteriorating.

So first I cleared it with the landlady, picked a ground-floor apartment with a living room next to the communal laundry room, and picked out a top flight upright piano that has an "apartment pedal" mute. But it's not silent, and it is still a real piano.

Is there a way that I could further muffle the sound for my upstairs neighbor's sake using techniques other than messing around inside the instrument?

[kshe95girl]

I had the same problem as you when I was getting my masters in piano...... here is how I solved my problem.
I first stapled insulation to the ceiling, assuming you live in an apartment that does not have a concrete ceiling, if so, duct tape does work, lots of duct tape!
I then taped 2 layers of acoustical tiles together, and then taped them to the insulation. To make sure I did not die by ceiling tile, I took furring strips, and nailed them with finishing nails, to the ceiling, with supports at the juncture of the walls and ceiling.
Did it work? Yes! Was it perfect? NO! I made sure to know the neighbors schedule, to try and work around it, as I am sure you already know.
The damage I did to the ceiling was very minor, and fixable with just a bit of joint compound and some acrylic paint.
Good luck!
PS, the finished product looked somewhat like a coffered ceiling, to give you a visual clue.

[Ultrarunner]

Anything that muffles sound will help.

Hanging quilted movers pads, wall to wall carpet with pad underneath and floor to ceiling drapes will all make a dramatic reduction in sound attenuation. Try to avoid hard objects that will transmit and reflect sound unless the ceiling above you is concrete as mentioned by kshe95girl.

Acoustic Ceiling tiles work well, but they are fragile and will be mostly likely ruined if you need to move them to another apartment.

How long do you think before it's time relocate?

[sonarrat]

I'll be relocating to this place in February. After that I plan to stay a while, I've lived there before and I know I like it there.

It does have wall to wall carpet, but I don't know what kind of ceiling it has. I'll have to ask.

[Paula Lynn]

That is so considerate of you taking measures to ensure the noise level. Good job!