Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Tips In Choosing A Violin Chinrest

By Claudine MacDonald


Most string players are using the same violin chinrest that comes with their violins on purchase. What many fail to acknowledge is that most really do not fit them. The use of an ill fitting attachment may affect your performance. The faces of different people really vary and so would the attachments available. One would have to secure the one that would fit him best.

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.

Having a fit that is right for an attachment would be so beneficial because one gets to play much better. One would get to play with proper body mechanics. This gives better support to one's body and instrument in turn.

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 would have to take note of the height of the chin rest. You would know that the height is right if you can put one finger on the space between your jaw and the rest. You need to look straight forward when you test this out. If you need to bow very low, the rest is quite short for you. If your nod is too shallow, the rest is quite high.

You should also consider the kind of flexibility of your shoulder. Players who have greater flexibility with their shoulders often prefer rests that are mounted on the left of the violin's tailpiece. Those with lesser flexibility prefer those that reaches a little over their tailpiece. You would need to consider what makes you feel most comfortable.

There are many variations one can find for every chin rest. There are those which have arcs that are deep and some are closer to being flat. Some have them mounted to the left and some are on the center. One has to find the one that has the best contour suited to his jaw and causing the least 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.

See to it that you would have the best violin chinrest suited to you. Choose one in a similar fashion you employ for choosing instruments. The search will be time consuming but the effort will really pay off.




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