Reese's Pieces

March 14, 2009 at 1:54 AM

TO REST OR NOT TO REST, THAT IS THE QUESTION!

I have been playing the violin for a number or years now, over twenty in fact. One of the things I've always regretted in my playing is having to use a shoulder rest. It does make holding the violin easier, but I am convinced it has the effect of deadening the sound of my violin to some degree. This past week, I was with a friend and we were playing some duets and I had forgotten to bring my shoulder rest and so played without one. It was someone more difficult to play, but my violin sounded much better and I could feel it more (if you know what I mean) while I was playing. And so my question is has anyone ever switched from having used a shoulder rest to playing without one? If so, was it a long transition before you were used to it? Any help here would be appreciated. Thanks, and it's good to be back!!!

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on March 14, 2009 at 9:23 PM

Sure, we have had a numbers of shoulder rest wars here but I am pacific and don't claim one side is better than the other. Good soloists are in the two sides (with and without rest). However, as silly as it can look, my neck is too long for all comercial rests and I have to tilt a lot my violin. I had to lift my shoulder and my violin was always flat like a pancake so it was quite hard to bow and play without pain. I can not play with just a cloth because my neck is too long and my head is not even touching the chin rest when I do this... but I made numerous experiences with little home maid cushions that hold with an elastic on the back of my violin. Yes, it was a long process. About one year to be totally able to play whatever I want that is at my level. At first, the left thumb slips and you have to be careful to not drop the violin! But your muscles become stronger and by adjusting the angle of violin, the place where it touches your collarbone you can find a point where the left thumb doesn't slip anymore. Also if you play with a little cussion, it has to have the smallest contact point possible with the back of your violin because you don't want it to "muff" the instrument, you have to be sure that the violin does touch at least in one point to your collarbone for stability. Otherwise it is like playing on a tennis ball and the whole violins follows your hand when you shift downwards! Now, I would never never NEVER go back to my rest. I'm not even able to play twinkle with it and I don't exagerate. It has given freedom to my shoulders and a better ergonomic posture. The sound is much more powerful but maybe this depens on the instrument because some good soloists do make a big sound with a rest! Just so that you know that you can have a little cushion for the same feel as without a rest but for those who have a too long neck for nothing. And I'll tell you what... many big soloists of the past who had nothing behind their violins hided pad, sponges, towels or sewed pads after their coat! I can relate to Stern, Oistrakh, Ferras etc... I think it takes creativity and a little time when you will get frustrated but one day, you should find someting if it is this you want!

Good luck! But, ask help from a teacher that knows about this technique because you can get seriously injured if you try anything at home, really... And whatever the side you choose, good players are in the two so never feel bad about anything! Many non resters claim this is the only way, but it's not true! Big masters didn't have rests because they did not exist and many of the stars of today have them because it is an invention of their era!

Anne-Marie

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Reese's Pieces

Subscribe

Laurie's Books