I've been trying it without a shoulder rest, and I feel so free and it just feels better than using a shoulder rest. Thanx for this video and the advice

An excellent tutorial. I followed your instructions and found it was a very comfortable way to play. I’m only a beginner and I’ve been experimenting with chin rests, pads etc. Nothing felt quite right until now. Thank you!

Thank you for the tip - especially placing a rubber pad under the violin; since I cannot (yet) reliably clamp the violin between my chin and collarbone, and thusly tend to hold it up with my left thump, putting a thick scarf underneath already helped so that the end of the violin could rest on my neck by itself in a suitable height, putting most of its weight there, and so that already in a natural position my chin can clamp it down - leaving more freedom for my left thump. Sometimes, it's the simple things - thanks for providing the hint! \m/

I have sloping shoulders and a rather long neck. I have lots of trouble holding a violin. I need to set the violin shoulder rest high and also raise the chin rest as high as possible. I even had trouble finding a high enough chin rest and extending one higher is still in a project. The only way I could hold the violin without the shoulder rest is by deligating the entire hold function to my left hand thumb and pointer fingers, that is - lightly squeezing the violin neck.

This is the GCV Kreisler Replica. GCV is Chinese and has two VSA silver medals for tone, and numerous international awards and certificates. The soloist is also Chinese. The non-Chinese options are quite a bit more expensive if you are looking for this kind of quality.

Ha, that part at 0:40 is funny.

I have never used a shoulder rest because I learned to play the violin from my grandpa and he never used one either. So it feels quite natural for me. But I am thinking about trying a higher chin rest.

This is the case for many. This particular video is geared towards those who have the possibility and the right build.

I have been struggling a lot. I'm skinny and the wooden edges hurt, so my violin Anna is wearing black panties (I personally never liked) which makes her softer. When I started on violin in May, I took off the chin rest (I'm left-handed) and mostly it worked. But on some days my skin seems to be more slippery. Today I put a piece of cloth under her panties and created a hill. This is exactly what I needed! I can move the cloth under the panties and shape it so it feels exactly right at my cheek. You're right, what I need is a pillow for my check, rather than a chin rest. This solution comes in handy, for on Saturday, 29th I will have to play in an open stage project of our club. As I feel, the most difficult thing in playing the violin, is the fact, that the 2 strings next to the one I want to caress are closer than it's comfortable for a beginner. And in order to manage this accuracy, I must find a way to keep the instrument in position safely.

Thanks alot i needed this video since my school orchestra gave me an incomplete viola without a shoulder rest and in just used to using one

There are a few that do it but I don't know of any professional violinist who doesn't use a chin-rest. Theoretically I can see it working if you can hold it while staying very relaxed. I would recommend getting a comfortable chinrest to keep your jaw, chin, off the top of the violin though. Doesn't have to be a big one.

Your fingers from the last joint to the nail can rise slightly above the joint . Yehudi Menuhin last finger joint does as well Carlo Curely Organist was the same . I contend that ability to flex the fingertip inclined from the final joint creates professionally quality instrumentalists

Thanks. 21 good years with a Bon Musica and it started hurting April 2023. I could be chin pinching the violin, but not having the SR has provided relief. I had trouble shifting from 3rd to 1st. Probably not enough practice. I made a sling that starts at my right shoulder, passes across my back and ties to the violin after passing over my left shoulder.

Absolutely. It's important that you don't squeeze or lift the left shoulder.

I am relaxed using or not using a shoulder rest My teacher says use a shoulder rest because I will get taller which makes sense. But I put my chin like you off the chin rest but my jaw is and it is so relaxing for me My teacher says that is wrong but then I have to stretch my arm fully to reach the tip of the bow Have any help

I love the shoulder rest (an Everest), but there are so many videos on KZfaq advocating not using one. I almost feel that the message is that one should not use a shoulder rest. All I know is that it was a struggle for me to concentrate on the other aspects of playing the violin before I got the shoulder rest, because the violin hurt my shoulder, and I could never find a non-painful way to hold it. So, for me, the shoulder rest is more freeing.

They are all equal. The CEVN1 is the closest shape to a conventional violin though.

I can not understand that here people give 7 negative points. :-( The video and the information are TOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Probably the solid contact and maybe a little too much squeeze. The red round rubber pad should eliminate that problem.

Actually the one I'm holding here is one of them. It's a GCV Cremona Kreisler Replicated violin. This one in particular is on the clearance section of Fiddlershop. com because of a repaired minor crack. :-) These violins are consistently good with real sweet sounds plus they project well.

Thanks, I have tried three chin rests, two shoulder rests, and nothing seems to work...no shoulder rest seems to work best, for me...thanks for the video!

Thank you so much!! I really need this😊

I was looking for something like that. Thanks!

do you have a video that can teach me to.vibrato without a shoulder rest? i see my friends learning vibrato easier and faster with their shoulder rest but i personally do not find it comfortable using one.

I wonder how you would feel after 'Tristan und Isolde' this way

Thanks

Got a new violin because I left my old one in my home country and I forgot to get a shoulder rest but I’m dying to play so watching this video 😂😂

I guess its all matter of how much mass you have on the body/ around neck collar bone etc so you can manage to hold it without shoulder rest. I am thin and it rest on my collar bone its impossible for me to hold without the SR.

thanks so much, i'm really looking forward to getting one :)

awesome.

When you choose Stuber, you can choose tall plate height before adding it to your cart. :-) fiddlershop. com/stuber-model-chinrest-violin.html

You are welcome.

I've looked on fiddlershop and wasn't able to find a raised chin rest, i'd really be interested in one similar to the chin rest you use in most of your videos, if you could provide a link that'd be great. thanks :D

Cool :-) I'm glad to hear it.

i have trouble holding it with my chin and shoulder I guess my shoulders are a little bet more in a hunch position

Great that you found something that suits you. :-)

Could be hard to shift down without any grip what so ever but if it works for you then great. :)

Interesting, using a violin without a shoulder rest does have it's advantages but can that also be a curse as much as it is a blessing when you play it?

How old is the oldest fiddle you have? I am 15 and teaching myself how to play. Your videos are helping me so much.

I think my new second hand violin is too heavy... Not using a shoulder rest might help. My teacher hasnt seen my violin yet but it is a Gilga gems 1 advanced. I was using a lighter weight yamaha before so i feel the difference. My arms are tensing i think because i it a but heavier. It weighs in without the shoulder rest at 580grams almost 590! I didnt think about this until after I bought it. But maybe i need to have a better shoulder rest? I have a boney shoulder and a very looong neck!

A good rest is the difference between being comfortable or not.

what violin are you playing in the video and is the soloist Chinese

I haven't tried that. I am not sure it's something that one would benefit from. How about you?

I got tired of my beginners sponge there for awhile until my friend let me have her extra shoulder rest but im slowly getting used to it

Could you play "talk dirty" by Jason derulo,that part with trumpets would be nice with a violin!thanks!!

I couldn't find that chin rest at the Fiddlerman shop, the tall one like you are using here.

What is that rubber thing that you showed at the end of the video?

How about holding the violin on the collar bone with the chin more or less on (or just above) the chin rest? Do you think such a position could cause problems - or maybe its not as stable as how you have it closer to your shoulder?

I don’t know if I will get a reply or not but what’s wrong in trying to seek help. Well, from what I saw in few videos, I realised I learnt violin a lot in wrong way. My hand movement is restricted to the size of my hand. Instead of resting it on my shoulder, violin rests on my hand entirely. I asked about this but my teacher said it’s totally normal and he also does this. Strangely he plays really good but his hand is restricted too. What should I do? I cant seem to progress much and it’s really frustrating to limit what I can learn but can’t. Edit- I tried to copy it but my collar bone hurts and chin too. I cant keep it steady when playing for more than 2 strings.

This week I try to get rid of my shoulder rest (it makes my neck PAIN), and no problem with vibrato and upward shifting. However, I found that I need to tense up my shoulder muscle to support the violin when I'm shifting down (violin doesn't contact with shoulder otherwise), is it regular? Sorry for the dumb question, I'm bit of self-learned. Thanks for reply if there is any :).

The metal piece of the shoulder rest is pressing into body near the bottom of my neck, it is to the right of the hole in the back. i put a temporary pad to stop the pain but i was wondering if i'm doing something wrong or if the metal piece is just too far forward (to the right). its the CVN 700.

Thumbs up!~~John

This week I try to get rid of my shoulder rest (it makes my neck and shoulder PAIN), and no problem with vibrato and upward shifting. However, I found that I need to tense up my shoulder muscle a little to support the violin when I'm shifting down (violin doesn't contact with shoulder otherwise), is it regular or is there any tips when shifting down? Sorry for the dumb question, I'm bit of self-learned. Thanks for reply if there is any :).

If I leave my violin hanging on the wall. Is it OK to leave the shoulder rest on, or should I remove it? Is it also alright to keep it hanging on a regular hanger. I see you have a diagonal hanger. I am thinking about getting a couple of those. One for my mandolin too.

I've been trying to to get wrist vibrato for the longest time but I can never successfully do it. Would you suggest not using the shoulder rest?

Hey, Fiddleman! I just bought my first Violin and I'm teaching myself to play. I don't have a shoulder-rest and I don't really want to have to get one, but I just might. My violin is a Cecilio electric body type 2 and the weight is all in the center of the body. It won't stay balanced between my collar and jaw bone. How do you play your Cecilio electric without a shoulder-rest?

hey i play the viola, and i dont use a shoulder rest. for some reason at the beginning of the year (im junior) the other violists that dont know me give me funny looks at first. is it uncommon practice or something?

I know it helped me. :-)

:-) Thanks

What is your favorite Violin, out of all of your fiddles. Which one do you love to play the most?

Shoulder-rest or not... depends of the large of your neck...

Now can I play it without a chin rest?

Bro I had to do this when I was in 4th grade because my violin didn’t come with a shoulder rest and my violin teacher refused to give me the sponge while he gave the sponge to others to this day istg he hated me lmao it was uncomfortable at first but you get used to it

sorry; I drank coffee today. thanks for the help.

how much your cheapest violin ??? can you ship in philippines?/??

I've never understood why we have shoulder rest it's so hard

man you should give me one violin I would love to have one

JAW!

My neck hurts when i did this

Someone explain why my chin rest is actually in the way of my chin 😒

I use shoulder rest. I don't use chin rest.

lol mine came without a shoulder rest f

XYZ

;-)

pretty much for those having trouble, find a suitable chin rest

My back hurts wtf

Heifetz didn't use a shoulder rest, proof that you don't need one

This week I try to get rid of my shoulder rest (it makes my neck PAIN), and no problem with vibrato and upward shifting. However, I found that I need to tense up my shoulder muscle to support the violin when I'm shifting down (violin doesn't contact with shoulder otherwise), is it regular? Sorry for the dumb question, I'm bit of self-learned. Thanks for reply if there is any :).