Sunday, January 20, 2013

Tips In Choosing A Violin Chinrest

By Claudine MacDonald


Most string players use the violin chinrest that came with their instruments when they bought it. What they do not realize is that they fit only a few people. Using an ill fitting attachment can affect your performance. Faces of people have different structures and that is why you can also see that there are a variety of styles for this attachment. You need to find the right one for you.

An ill fitting rest would affect your performance and most obviously, your comfort. You would have problems such as clenching, sores and aches. This would be from the pressure of your chin on a small part of your neck. When you find yourself feeling these, it is high time for you to head to the shop and get one that is of a better fit.

Getting a good fit on the attachment that you have would be quite beneficial since you get to play better. You will be able to have proper posture. You also get better support on your instrument and you body.

It really is important that one goes to get his rest himself. Ordering online would not be a good idea because there are different fits available and different manufacturers even have different fits for the same style. One would have to fit each one and find the rest that provides the best comfort and fit.

You need to take note how high the chin rest is. You will know that it is the proper height for you if there is a finger breadth space between the rest and your jaw. You should be looking straight ahead when measuring this. If you need to bow too far down, then that means the rest is too short. Too shallow a nod means it is too high for you.

The flexibility on your shoulder should also be looked into. Players with great flexibility on their shoulders prefer to use ones that get mounted left to the tailpiece of the violin. Those who are less flexible use rests mounted a bit over the tailpiece. You have to note what would be most comfortable to you as well.

There really are a lot of variations for chin rests. You can find those that have deep arcs while some are almost flat. You can choose one that is mounted on the left of the instrument or on the center. You really need to look for one that fits the contour of your jaw well and causes no discomfort.

Finding a well fitting attachment is really beneficial to your health and to your playing as well. With the right one, you are freeing your left collarbone of static tension and it becomes free to move. The weight is also brought closer to the body so it becomes easier and lighter to carry. You would be able to move your arms more and your scroll height improves.

Be sure that you have the perfect violin chinrest. Choose it in the same way you would for your instrument. This can be really time consuming but well worth it.




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