Great video. Thank you. Picked up the violin again after 50 years. Played in school orchestra and played along mariachi uncles. Purchased a new violin and it came with a shoulder rest and just could not get used to it no matter how i placed it. So I continue my violin experience with no shoulder rest.
This was nice to listen to. I used to play without a shoulder rest and can identify with a lot of what you described. However my new teacher has tweaked my playing to now use a rest because my left hand thumb joint collapses and it was both causing me pain and making vibrato very difficult. It was very useful for playing without a rest however. I'm wondering if now my thumb has learnt not to collapse while I play I could go back to playing without a rest but I'd need to swap my whole set up back again. Perhaps two violins is a nice idea 😅 (excellent idea IMO lol) BTW the magic pad is a great tip. I'll have to invest in one of those I think!
Very good, objective advice. I especially liked how you lifted the violin up at the end to get the back muscles to engage. Shoulder rests are nice, but it feels like you lock and load the instrument onto your body. My hesitancy to remove my shoulder rest has been with not knowing how long it would take to rework the fundamental skills. I think the freer the violin, the easier it is to work out individual limitations and needs. For me, I liken the shoulder rest to a crutch that had its purpose, but now it's time to put it aside and try and get my body to take this on from here. Thanks again.
I went restless for about 7 years. Bad idea, for me. Chronic neck issues, chronic headaches, especially after waking up the next morning, and worst of all? Massive hand problems, and finger joint problems, especially in my index finger from holding the stupid thing up all the time. I also developed a really deep hold over time to avoid pressing against that sore index finger joint on the side.I’m not saying that going restless won’t work for you, but be careful and don’t be stubborn, like I was. Oh, also, I used every kind of chin rest you can imagine, even ones that I made myself.
Usually when not using a shoulder rest, the instrument rests more on the thumb - NOT the index finger. The base of the index finger makes contact with the neck, but the thumb is the primary supporter, in addition to the collarbone, of course. Basically, imagine the collarbone and thumb are pillars and the violin is a bridge.
Inochka, do you play with or without? Adam is learning without b/c shoulder rests falling off agitated him & Gregory believes in playing without & it being unnecessary. However, I'm starting to wonder if to try shoulder rest again for him, b/c he oftentimes choses to point down the scroll vs keep high & leveled. I have yet to watch this, but I will, when everyone will get up.
Hi Ira, I don't wear a shoulder rest but use a small pad instead. I did wear one throughout middle and high school. For Adam, it may be worth trying - part of it is due to bad habit, which would need time for readjustment, but I've seen it work very well for some students! Although I usually advise them a different chinrest first...if they can...before assessing shoulder rest situation. It really is individual.
No varnish damage on my end! Magic pad stays on/I keep it on so it doesn't lose its place. Case still closes easily. If it stops sticking, a tiny bit of water makes it sticky again.
I made a magic pad myself after seeing your video. It’s very comfortable and I will never use a different shoulder rest again. Thanks for your video.
How cool!
Great video. Thank you. Picked up the violin again after 50 years. Played in school orchestra and played along mariachi uncles. Purchased a new violin and it came with a shoulder rest and just could not get used to it no matter how i placed it. So I continue my violin experience with no shoulder rest.
Welcome back to the wonderful world of violin!
Thank you so much for clearing my long searching doubts about
Shoulder Rest.❤
Happy to help! =)
This was nice to listen to. I used to play without a shoulder rest and can identify with a lot of what you described. However my new teacher has tweaked my playing to now use a rest because my left hand thumb joint collapses and it was both causing me pain and making vibrato very difficult.
It was very useful for playing without a rest however.
I'm wondering if now my thumb has learnt not to collapse while I play I could go back to playing without a rest but I'd need to swap my whole set up back again.
Perhaps two violins is a nice idea 😅 (excellent idea IMO lol)
BTW the magic pad is a great tip. I'll have to invest in one of those I think!
I wonder, what setup change is needed to switch between shoulder rest to without?
Very good, objective advice. I especially liked how you lifted the violin up at the end to get the back muscles to engage. Shoulder rests are nice, but it feels like you lock and load the instrument onto your body. My hesitancy to remove my shoulder rest has been with not knowing how long it would take to rework the fundamental skills. I think the freer the violin, the easier it is to work out individual limitations and needs. For me, I liken the shoulder rest to a crutch that had its purpose, but now it's time to put it aside and try and get my body to take this on from here. Thanks again.
Thank you for your very thoughtful comment and you made some great observations!
Well said... balanced and educational.👏👏👏👍
Thank you very much! =)
Very interesting to hear some thoughts and opinions about shoulder rests!
Thank you! =)
Thank you Inna! This gives me so much to think about! 😊
Glad it was helpful!😊
Just discovered your videos. They are fantastic! Thank you!
You're very welcome! Thank you for watching & subscribing!
Thank you so much for the helpful informations.
You are very welcome! So glad it was helpful!
I went restless for about 7 years. Bad idea, for me. Chronic neck issues, chronic headaches, especially after waking up the next morning, and worst of all? Massive hand problems, and finger joint problems, especially in my index finger from holding the stupid thing up all the time. I also developed a really deep hold over time to avoid pressing against that sore index finger joint on the side.I’m not saying that going restless won’t work for you, but be careful and don’t be stubborn, like I was. Oh, also, I used every kind of chin rest you can imagine, even ones that I made myself.
Usually when not using a shoulder rest, the instrument rests more on the thumb - NOT the index finger. The base of the index finger makes contact with the neck, but the thumb is the primary supporter, in addition to the collarbone, of course. Basically, imagine the collarbone and thumb are pillars and the violin is a bridge.
really appreciate this explanation very very much❤
Very glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Awesome ❤
😊❤️
Inochka, do you play with or without? Adam is learning without b/c shoulder rests falling off agitated him & Gregory believes in playing without & it being unnecessary. However, I'm starting to wonder if to try shoulder rest again for him, b/c he oftentimes choses to point down the scroll vs keep high & leveled. I have yet to watch this, but I will, when everyone will get up.
Hi Ira, I don't wear a shoulder rest but use a small pad instead. I did wear one throughout middle and high school. For Adam, it may be worth trying - part of it is due to bad habit, which would need time for readjustment, but I've seen it work very well for some students! Although I usually advise them a different chinrest first...if they can...before assessing shoulder rest situation. It really is individual.
Thank you for this video. Do you keep the magic pad on at all times? Does it stay on? Have you noticed any damage on your varnish? Thanks!!
No varnish damage on my end! Magic pad stays on/I keep it on so it doesn't lose its place. Case still closes easily. If it stops sticking, a tiny bit of water makes it sticky again.
In earlier times violinists probably did not use shoulder rest
Nor chinrests...
@@Violinnanor Magic pads😊
On even earlier time violinists..didn't violin