Instrument Noise Level Chart: Apartment-Friendly Picks 2026
A reference chart of how loud each beginner instrument is, whether it suits apartments and shared walls, and the quiet-practice option for every instrument.
Quick Answer: Best Instruments for Shared Walls
- Near silent (with headphones): Digital piano, electronic drums, electric guitar/bass
- Gentle acoustic: Ukulele, classical guitar
- Manageable with a mute: Violin, viola, cello, trumpet
- Hardest in apartments: Acoustic drums, saxophone, full brass
If you share walls with neighbors or have sleeping siblings, how loud an instrument is can matter as much as how fun it is. The chart below gives an approximate typical volume range, whether the instrument is realistically apartment-friendly, and the quiet-practice option that makes it work. Decibel figures are approximate ranges measured near the player, since real loudness depends on the room, the instrument, and how hard it is played.
Instrument Noise Level Chart
| Instrument | Approx. volume (dB)* | Apartment-friendly? | Quiet-practice option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital piano / keyboard | Silent-70 | Yes | Headphones or volume knob |
| Electronic drum kit | Silent-70 | Yes | Headphones; mesh heads are quietest |
| Electric guitar | Silent-75 | Yes | Headphone amp or low amp volume |
| Electric bass | Silent-75 | Yes | Headphone amp or low amp volume |
| Ukulele | 55-70 | Yes | Naturally quiet; play softly |
| Classical (nylon) guitar | 60-72 | Yes | Naturally mellow tone |
| Acoustic guitar (steel) | 60-75 | Usually | Soundhole cover, play gently |
| Recorder | 65-80 | Usually | Play softly; choose practice times |
| Flute | 70-85 | Sometimes | Practice times; no true mute |
| Clarinet | 70-85 | Sometimes | Practice times; play softly |
| Cello | 75-85 | Sometimes | Heavy practice mute on the bridge |
| Violin / viola | 80-90 | With a mute | Clip-on practice mute |
| Trumpet | 80-95 | With a mute | Practice mute (changes feel) |
| Saxophone | 85-100 | Hard | Practice mute systems exist but bulky |
| Acoustic drum kit | 90-110 | No | Switch to an electronic kit |
*Approximate ranges near the player. For reference, normal conversation is about 60 dB, a vacuum cleaner about 70 dB, and a lawnmower about 90 dB. "Silent" entries mean the instrument can be played through headphones so others hear almost nothing.
Choosing a Quiet Instrument
- Go electronic with headphones if silence is essential. Digital piano, electronic drums, and electric guitar or bass are the only instruments that can be practiced at effectively zero volume to others.
- Pick a naturally gentle acoustic like ukulele or classical guitar if you prefer no electronics.
- Add a practice mute for strings and brass. A clip-on bridge mute for violin or cello, or a brass practice mute for trumpet, cuts volume dramatically, though brass mutes change resistance and feel.
- Set practice windows for flute, clarinet, and recorder, which have no easy mute but are not extremely loud.
Related Reference Charts
- Best Instruments for Apartments
- Instrument Difficulty and Practice-Time Chart
- Beginner Instrument Cost Chart
- Best Beginner Keyboards
- Best Beginner Drum Sets
Decibel figures are approximate researched ranges, not measured for your specific instrument or room, and are provided as general guidance only, not professional acoustic advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quietest instrument for an apartment?
The quietest practical instruments for apartment living are the digital piano or keyboard with headphones, electronic drums with headphones, and electric guitar or bass through headphones or a small amp. Each lets you practice in near silence to everyone else while you hear full sound through headphones. Among acoustic instruments, the ukulele and classical (nylon-string) guitar are the gentlest on shared walls.
Which instruments are too loud for apartments?
Acoustic drum kits, trumpets, and saxophones are the hardest to practice in an apartment because they are inherently loud and have no easy volume control. Acoustic drums can reach 100-110 decibels and brass instruments are similarly loud. If your child wants one of these, an electronic drum kit or a brass practice mute makes apartment practice realistic, though mutes change the feel somewhat.
How loud is a violin or acoustic guitar?
An acoustic guitar typically sits around 60-75 decibels at playing distance, similar to conversation or a vacuum at the louder end, which is usually tolerable through shared walls. A violin is louder and more piercing, roughly 80-90 decibels near the ear, because the sound radiates upward toward the player. Violinists in apartments often use a practice mute, a small clip that fits on the bridge and cuts volume substantially.
Do headphones really make electronic instruments silent?
Close. With a digital piano, electronic drum kit, or electric guitar plugged into headphones, the only sound others hear is the soft mechanical tap of keys, pads, or strings, which is far quieter than a TV. This is why these three are the go-to choices for families in apartments, dorms, or homes with sleeping siblings. The player hears full, rich sound while the room stays nearly silent.
Not Sure Which Instrument?
Take our free 2-minute quiz and get a personalized recommendation based on your child's age, interests, and your budget.
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