Jurong neighbours complain woman plays cello almost daily, she says it's only in the afternoon & they're making a fuss

A cello player received complaints from her neighbours living downstairs for practising the instrument almost every day.

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, four tenants living below the player claimed that it sounded like someone was sawing wood.

They also alleged that it was impossible to get proper rest due to the sound, and apparently had to seek refuge outside the house at times.

In response, the player who reportedly only practises in the afternoon said the instrument was her livelihood, claiming the tenants were making it a big deal.

Jurong tenants

The tenants living at Jurong West consist of a 31-year-old engineer, Wu (transliterated), as well as university students, 24-year-old Li (transliterated), 22-year-old Wang (transliterated), and 23-year-old Ruan (transliterated).

They alleged that their upstairs neighbour had recently been playing the cello at home almost every day.

Shin Min reported that they claim the player usually starts practising around 1pm and continues until 5pm at times.

After Wu previously communicated the concerns with the cellist, she reportedly agreed to try to lower the volume.

The situation then improved for some time, but Wu alleged that the practice time became longer again.

On Sep. 19, the playing apparently lasted for about three hours, Shin Min reported.

'Sawing wood'

Li had previously started staying in the unit in July 2025, and claimed that on Aug. 9, the music upstairs lasted from the afternoon till evening.

Noting that she has classes in the evening, she pointed out that she needs to rest in the day.

"When the piano music comes, even wearing headphones can't block it out, and sometimes I can't even talk to people with my microphone on," said Li, who takes online classes at home sometimes.

The four tenants described the sound to be coming from all directions like a "stereo sound".

They told Shin Min that the music sounded like "sawing wood", and the continuous high-frequency sound was unbearable.

One tenant, Ruan, would seek temporary refuge in her school library at times as she did not dare to stay at home starting from the afternoon.

Livelihood

The woman, 25-year-old Lin (transliterated), told Shin Min that playing the cello is part of her livelihood since she is a student at an arts school and a music teacher.

According to Lin, she usually starts practising around 1pm or 2pm each day, with each session apparently lasting a maximum of two hours.

"Music is my livelihood, and I need to practise," she said.

In response to complaints that the music was disturbing, she claimed they were "making a mountain out of a molehill".

Lin said she did not understand why she would be accused of disturbing the tenants' rest when she practised in the afternoon.

She claimed that she always keeps the doors and windows of her home closed when practising her instrument, and had reportedly lived here for over ten years without getting complaints from her neighbours.

Mediation

Wu told Shin Min that after the landlord sought help on their behalf, the Community Mediation Centre invited both parties to a meeting.

He further claimed that Lin did not attend the meeting.

She argued that mediation was not necessary as she did nothing wrong.

Noting that the tenants below her kept changing, she questioned whether she would have to communicate all over again every time a new batch of tenants moved in.

Bound by lease

Shin Min reported that the tenants who complained are unable to move out due to being bound by a tenancy agreement.

As such, the students hope Lin can be understanding and not play for too long or lay mats on the floor for soundproofing.

Lin said she was exhausted over the situation, referring to the regular complaints and even the police being called.

She questioned if it was wrong to play an instrument in her own home and apparently said the tenants could go to the library if they needed to study.