Pianist practicing at home finds a note slipped under the door — but it had a surprising request

In a world where negativity and cynicism often take center stage, stories of simple kindness can shine brighter than ever. Especially in today’s social media-driven environment, it’s easy to focus on complaints and grievances. Yet, for artists, their passion for their craft keeps them grounded, no matter the noise. Such was the case for pianist and composer Ned Dijón, known as @neddikins on Instagram, who was deeply immersed in his practice at home when he received an unexpected surprise—a note slipped under his apartment door.

In a post, Dijón shared the handwritten note that was slipped under his front door in 2015. Naturally, he assumed it was a noise complaint from a neighbor. To his surprise, the note wasn’t a complaint at all but a polite and heartfelt request from his neighbors.

Mesmerized by Dijón's music, a nearby resident who loved the piano left a note requesting him to play their favorite track. "A humble request to the pianist," the note read, followed by "Liebestraum No. 3 in A-flat major." Overjoyed by the sweet gesture, Dijón gladly agreed to the request. "One of my neighbors slipped this under my door while I was practicing. I thought they were going to make a noise complaint, but they just had a request," Dijón wrote in the caption, describing how surprising it was to receive such a note from a neighbor.

“I played it (the piano) with my windows open,” Dijón announced, and what happened next was something he’d never forget. The musician explained, “I heard really loud clapping coming from a balcony a few stories up, which was super lovely.” The heartwarming gesture from the neighbor brought a smile to Dijón’s face, and he couldn’t help but express his emotions. He concluded his post by saying, “I’m in such a lovely mood now, and it’s so nice to be appreciated.” 

Dijón was thrilled to discover he had his own small fan base, and like any artist, he felt deeply moved by the appreciation for his work. His post also gained widespread recognition on social media, with several meme and cultural pages sharing the story. @visualpurplephoto remarked, “Hope you invite your neighbor inside if you ever get the chance.” @kwittman shared their father's story, "My father was a pianist, and also played for our local church. He was a night owl, and would often practice at the church rather than his faculty offices or at home. In 2008, my dad died. He was 62. At some point, I was talking with some of the new neighborhood folks I didn’t know, and they went on at length about how they never thanked dad for playing their kids to sleep, or accompanying lovely moments in their lives. Your post reminds me of him. Keep practicing. Sometimes, those are your most memorable hours at the keyboard."

You can follow Ned Dijón (@neddikins) on Instagram for more wholesome and musical content.