I see remarks here such as 'playing recorder and annoying families' and 'maybe we should provide earplugs.'

Well, I have a friend who has taught piano for many years. One day she told me that Yamaha has offered a piano with a 'mother's pedal,' which was supposed to make the piano so quiet that practice wouldn't bother her. However, nobody wanted the mother's pedal.

It must be hormones, but parents and so forth have an infinite capacity for listening to their children practice. There is a low-level, but very real joy that comes from hearing your child master a new skill.

I have never had children myself, but as an aunt and honorary aunt, I know the feeling well.