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The Right Rest For You
The correct combination of chinrest and shoulder-rest is crucial to comfort and proper relaxation when playing the violin. Professional violinists and violists have, for the last century, been divided over the use of the shoulder-rest. Early during the 20th century, some violinists objected to the use of the shoulder-rest because the use of padding against the violin dampened the resonance of the instrument; today's shoulder-rests, however, touch the instrument only at the edges and actually let the instrument ring more freely than it does when pressed directly against the player's body. Other violinists object on the grounds that it promotes incorrect left-hand technique, or limits the freedom of motion available to the left hand and arm, or causes the bow to contact the strings at the wrong angle.
The vast majority of professional players today use a shoulder-rest, including most of the soloists. However, it's also clear that many people play very well without one. Some players who don't use a shoulder-rest may increase their comfort by using a cloth on the shoulder, a cloth that goes over the chinrest and then under the violin, a small sponge held onto the violin with a rubber band, or shoulder-pads in their suit jacket. Like everything else involved in playing the violin, using a shoulder-rest is a matter of personal choice - do what feels comfortable to you. It is usually advisable to begin by finding a chinrest that is comfortable for you. Chinrests vary in height, width, curvature, and placement; some are centred over the tailpiece (Flesch), some are mounted to the left of the tailpiece (Teka), and some are mounted to the left of the tailpiece but extend over the tailpiece. You should try chinrests until you find one that is comfortable. Chinrests can be made more comfortable by the addition of a "Strad Pad" or similar device - padded material that goes over the chinrest area and can provide a more comfortable cushion. Once you find a chinrest, you will know whether or not you need a shoulder-rest in order to comfortably hold the instrument. If you do, try a number of different models. Most of the models have adjustable-height legs; you should do some experimentation to see if you can find a height and angle of placement that feels right. Popular brands include the Kun, Wolf, and Johnson.