In this video I adjusted all shoulder rests (except the bon musica) to their tallest setting so that you can clearly see their maximum height and compare them. I didn't actually use the Wolf Forte Primo at its maximum height.
For people with long necks but narrow shoulders a shoulder rest that is a slight boomerang or semi circle shape is better because it curves backwards away from the end of your shoulder and doesn’t feel like it’s slipping off or press into the sensitive bursa under the shoulder blade as is comes over the top. The wolf forte secondo is a good and cheap version of this shape. It can be a difficult body shape to get comfortable with the violin. Don’t get a high shoulder rest. Get a higher chin rest and keep the bottom edge on the violin in contact with your collar bone. This is important for many reasons not least your bow arm and shoulder comfort and sound production.
Thanks it was a very good Presentation. I am a beginner trying to learn violin, but face great problem to find a comfortable position that the violin is on shoulder without holding it with left hand. Still trying different things to find solutions.
That shouldn’t determine what shoulder rest you should get. It’s never been natural or even necessary to hold it without the left hand. Find one that is comfortable to play with but doesn’t affect your posture. 👍
For a shoulder rest, I've improvised by using a 99-cent cellulose sponge scrubber and three interlocking rubber bands attached to the button and to the two corner pieces of my violin in a V-shape configuration. 😊 🎻 🎶🎵
This is helpful. I heard that it's better to have the violin resting closer to your body, so I tried using just a sponge but could not get it to feel comfortable. So I've gone back to my Kun.
This may sound crazy but I learned that my shoulder rest feels the most comfortable when it's on positioned on the edges of my violin, nearly when it's about to fall off! I have an everest shoulder rest, and it's the brand that I've used since I started playing violin. But as I got older and more advanced I now know that I need a shoulder rest more tailored to my shoulder and neck. It's a shame right now cause in rehearsals at school, it's so uncomfortable to play normally now. Especially since I sit in chairs. I'm used to standing and playing but now my postures all messed up. My friend suggested I get BonMusica so I'm really curious about this🤔
Wolf also do the Secondo, which is adjustable, and a bit more expensive. I currently have a FOM, which looks like the KUN, but I'd like something a bit taller, probably the Wolf Forte Secondo.
I currently have the cheap little chin rest that you showed🤦🏽♂️ and I tried several times to use it but it doesn’t feel right. I’m eying that kun one you displayed 😏. Are chin rests versatile? Can I use a regular chin rest for a left handed violin? I figure all you need to do is just switch sides. 😳 thank 🙏🏽
I do not have any experience with left handed violins, but I assume side mounted chin rests won't work for a left handed setup? You should probably look into centre mounted chin rests, where the main chin piece sits overtop of the tailpiece. Chin rests come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but most are designed to not adjust. I use the Wittner Adjustable side-mounted chin rest because it is hypoallergenic and I can adjust the height. They have a center mounted version of it as well.
Reading over your comment again, are you actually referring to SHOULDER rests? The ergonomics and customizability of shoulder rests really varies by brand and how they are designed. I think any shoulder rest would be fine for a left handed violin, just make sure the curved side is on the right instead of the left (the opposite of what I show in the video).
I use the Bonmusica as well but unlike yourself, I don't have a long neck. The rest was therefore adjusted lower to the violin and the metal actually dug into the violin !! Ahhh !! Fortunately, it's only a few thousand dollars AUS and not tens of thousands and on the back not the front but still... Pissed off is an understatement. I wish I could afford the Dolfinos shoulder and chin rest combo but it's many hundreds of dollars. Way too much for me to spend.
Beginners need a reliable violin that has a decent sound right out of the box; you should not have to do major adjustments/repairs on it (like a VSO... I actually have a video about VSOs coming soon!). Every violin is different, even if it is of the same brand and maker. As a rule of thumb, the price range should not fall bellow ~$200-300 CAD. Prices may differ in other countries. Please research reputable violin stores and luthiers in your area and contact them for a better idea on what they have to offer.
Yes because you would have a better grip of the violin with your chin and shoulder, therefore less weight is in your left hand. It will allow your left hand to be loose and vibrate more freely.
In this video I adjusted all shoulder rests (except the bon musica) to their tallest setting so that you can clearly see their maximum height and compare them. I didn't actually use the Wolf Forte Primo at its maximum height.
For people with long necks but narrow shoulders a shoulder rest that is a slight boomerang or semi circle shape is better because it curves backwards away from the end of your shoulder and doesn’t feel like it’s slipping off or press into the sensitive bursa under the shoulder blade as is comes over the top. The wolf forte secondo is a good and cheap version of this shape. It can be a difficult body shape to get comfortable with the violin.
Don’t get a high shoulder rest. Get a higher chin rest and keep the bottom edge on the violin in contact with your collar bone. This is important for many reasons not least your bow arm and shoulder comfort and sound production.
Thanks it was a very good Presentation. I am a beginner trying to learn violin, but face great problem to find a comfortable position that the violin is on shoulder without holding it with left hand. Still trying different things to find solutions.
That shouldn’t determine what shoulder rest you should get. It’s never been natural or even necessary to hold it without the left hand. Find one that is comfortable to play with but doesn’t affect your posture. 👍
For a shoulder rest, I've improvised by using a 99-cent cellulose sponge scrubber and three interlocking rubber bands attached to the button and to the two corner pieces of my violin in a V-shape configuration. 😊 🎻 🎶🎵
I have a kun shoulder rest original but I recently buy an extra long foot because as you said, it is too short for long neck.
This is helpful. I heard that it's better to have the violin resting closer to your body, so I tried using just a sponge but could not get it to feel comfortable. So I've gone back to my Kun.
This may sound crazy but I learned that my shoulder rest feels the most comfortable when it's on positioned on the edges of my violin, nearly when it's about to fall off! I have an everest shoulder rest, and it's the brand that I've used since I started playing violin. But as I got older and more advanced I now know that I need a shoulder rest more tailored to my shoulder and neck. It's a shame right now cause in rehearsals at school, it's so uncomfortable to play normally now. Especially since I sit in chairs. I'm used to standing and playing but now my postures all messed up. My friend suggested I get BonMusica so I'm really curious about this🤔
Wolf also do the Secondo, which is adjustable, and a bit more expensive. I currently have a FOM, which looks like the KUN, but I'd like something a bit taller, probably the Wolf Forte Secondo.
Thanks for sharing this video! I'm looking for a new shoulder rest and your advice was great! thank you! :)
I currently have the cheap little chin rest that you showed🤦🏽♂️ and I tried several times to use it but it doesn’t feel right. I’m eying that kun one you displayed 😏. Are chin rests versatile? Can I use a regular chin rest for a left handed violin? I figure all you need to do is just switch sides. 😳 thank 🙏🏽
I do not have any experience with left handed violins, but I assume side mounted chin rests won't work for a left handed setup? You should probably look into centre mounted chin rests, where the main chin piece sits overtop of the tailpiece. Chin rests come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but most are designed to not adjust. I use the Wittner Adjustable side-mounted chin rest because it is hypoallergenic and I can adjust the height. They have a center mounted version of it as well.
Reading over your comment again, are you actually referring to SHOULDER rests? The ergonomics and customizability of shoulder rests really varies by brand and how they are designed. I think any shoulder rest would be fine for a left handed violin, just make sure the curved side is on the right instead of the left (the opposite of what I show in the video).
Much thanks again. Will definitely look into that 👍🏽
Could you let me know if the 4/4 bonmusica shoulder rest can be adapted to a 1/2 violin? Or I have to buy a 1/2 one? Thank you.
It does not adjust for other sized violins.
I use the Bonmusica as well but unlike yourself, I don't have a long neck. The rest was therefore adjusted lower to the violin and the metal actually dug into the violin !! Ahhh !! Fortunately, it's only a few thousand dollars AUS and not tens of thousands and on the back not the front but still... Pissed off is an understatement. I wish I could afford the Dolfinos shoulder and chin rest combo but it's many hundreds of dollars. Way too much for me to spend.
Hi what is your chin rest brand? Thx!
I'm currently using a Wittner adjustable side mounted chine rest.
What violin would you prefer for a newcomer such as myself?
Beginners need a reliable violin that has a decent sound right out of the box; you should not have to do major adjustments/repairs on it (like a VSO... I actually have a video about VSOs coming soon!). Every violin is different, even if it is of the same brand and maker. As a rule of thumb, the price range should not fall bellow ~$200-300 CAD. Prices may differ in other countries. Please research reputable violin stores and luthiers in your area and contact them for a better idea on what they have to offer.
@@HighlandViolinist I totally agree. 200/300$ is not bad at all. Will definitely look into it. Thanks!👍✌
oh I see what you did there, "fiddle with it" lol
Are Shoulder Rest Can Improve My Vibrato?, Because Bird Can Die Cause Of It
Yes because you would have a better grip of the violin with your chin and shoulder, therefore less weight is in your left hand. It will allow your left hand to be loose and vibrate more freely.
@@HighlandViolinist Ohh Ok Cool