Do all violinists use a chin rest?
Some musicians can take any violin, use whatever chin rest is on it, and be perfectly happy. Most violinists and violists, though, need to find the right fit based on their personal anatomy and playing style. Head, neck, and shoulder anatomies vary widely, so when it comes to chin rests, one size does not fit all.
What is the chin rest on a violin called?
Flesch Chinrest
The most popular include: The Flesch Chinrest. Named for Hungarian violinist Carl Flesch, this features a cupped chinrest centered over the tailpiece, much like Spohr’s original. The Guarneri Chinrest.
Can you change violin chin rest?
Use as little glue as you can get away with. The little screws on the chin-rest clamp can be tightened by any piece of thicker wire. I take the little wire handle off of small (1″) black binder clip and the end fits perfectly into the hole and it’s nice rigid metal.
What is the purpose of a chin rest?
A chinrest is a shaped piece of wood (or plastic) attached to the body of a violin or a viola to aid in the positioning of the player’s jaw or chin on the instrument.
Is a chin rest necessary?
Chinrests and shoulder rests are very personal and must be adjusted to the individual player. Also the choice whether or not to use them is highly personal. There are fantastic violinists playing without shoulder rest and there are fantastic violinists playing with shoulder rest.
Why do violinists put a cloth?
Many violinists that I know use some sort of cloth over their chinrest in order to improve comfort and absorb perspiration. It most likely also protects the instrument’s varnish from some wear and helps to prevent the instrument suddenly shifting around in performance.
How do I choose a chinrest?
The proper height for a chin rest is one that leaves a gap of about one finger-width between the top of the rest and the jaw when the eyes are looking forward (and not looking up or down). If one must nod down in an exaggerated fashion to touch the top of the chin rest, it is too short.
Do professional violinists use shoulder rests?
Violinists and violists use shoulder rests because they need to move up and down the neck of the instrument. In moving up the neck, one has one’s own neck to push the chin rest side of the instrument against.
Do I need a chin rest?
Without any chin rest or shoulder rest, the accustomed grip becomes hellishly uncomfortable, if not impossible! Place the fiddle on your collar bone, with the chin a little to the right of the tailpiece – not, as is conventional in modern playing, to the left – but not touching the violin. The head is completely free.