Roommate Conflict: AITA for Playing Guitar Late at Night?

AITA for playing acoustic guitar late at night when my roommate makes music too? Conflicting schedules lead to noise complaints.

Damjan

Published in Interesting
5 Dec 2025

Roommate Conflict: AITA for Playing Guitar Late at Night?

Navigating shared living spaces can be challenging, especially when personal habits clash. This Reddit thread delves into a dispute between two roommates, one a dedicated producer and the other an avid guitarist, both of whom have unique schedules and sound preferences.

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The original poster (OP) recounts being asked during the roommate selection process whether late-night music would bother them, to which they confidently replied no. However, the tides have turned, and now OP finds themselves on the receiving end of a request to "take it somewhere else" when playing guitar late at night.

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As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that both roommates have been making compromises, albeit with an underlying sense of frustration. While OP remains considerate of their roommate's music-making on weekends, they feel it's unfair to face pushback when they seek solace in their own musical routine.

The comments on the thread raise broader questions of fairness and communication in shared living arrangements, with many suggesting that a simple conversation could resolve the tensions. Join the discussion as we explore the nuances of roommate dynamics, the importance of setting boundaries, and whether both parties are equally responsible for the current situation.

Are they both entitled to their musical expressions, or is one crossing a line? Let's find out!

Original Post

I live in a apt with this girl (who is a producer) and when I was interviewed for the room, I was asked if it would bother me to hear music at late hours (due to the rooms being right next to each other) to which I said I didn't because I myself play guitar and sometimes like to stay until late listening to music. She works during the week and wakes up early, meanwhile I work weekends and get two days off during the week.

She makes music on the weekends, which I can hear even though both our doors are closed, but I personally don't make a big fuss (because I agreed to these terms) and just close my eyes until I pass out. I play guitar almost everyday during different times, but my favourite is to do it before I go to sleep, since it helps me wind down and sleep better, mind you I use a nylon string guitar with no amp, and no crazy songs.

However, I recently got a message from her saying that I needed to "take it somewhere else" because she had to get up early. It feels unfair that I have to accommodate, when she's also doing the same by keeping me up when I have to be up early..

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I even mentioned to her that earplugs are a great idea so we can both play freely, but she doesn't want to meet me in the middle... Am I the A*****e for replying "You don't hear me complaining on the weekends"