Hardware problems

September 13, 2008 at 4:31 AM

The set-up I changed to worked fine - that was until I SAT down to play in my community orchestra and quartet group. The wolf rest that I had liked so much started causing me issues - the feet popped off from time to time and it tilted in directions I didn't want it to tilt. My teacher said that when he had problems like that, it was more of a "user" issue than a "hardware" issue. But, let's face it. Where my playing is at right now, I need a little more chin pressure to shift into stratosphere positions, and a bit more than that to do vibrato. Having my shoulder rest hinder where I am at skill-wise right now was hurting more than helping. (And yes, my teacher and I had a long discussion on this topic already). The attempts I made to "fix" those issues turned into an ergonomics nightmare and threw my intonation down the drain and eliminated any vibrato that I had developed.

My teacher and I reworked out the proper viola placement and basic adjustments to set me back on the right path. Thank goodness he is so patient with me!!!! I'm now experimenting with my other rests with assorted cosmetic sponges and chamois, and sponges on their own. The basic setup I need is to have the left side as non-existent as I can make it, and the right side a bit higher than what most rests adjust to - and WIHTOUT much of a contour. There simply aren't any like that on the market. The WOLF worked great for this except for the feet popping off and the "tilt" problem.

So, I took my Viva rest and added various thickness sponges to lift the right side a bit more and remove the contour which were causing pressure point problems. So far it seems to work well both standing and sitting. The draw back right now is the added weight. If I put that disadvantage to the side for the moment and this ends up working out for me, I'm going to try something - manufacturing my own shoulder rest. I certainly have enough "shop" equipment in my garage, wood working and metal machining skills to make a prototype. If the prototype stands the test of time, I can engage more skilled friends & professionals to make an aesthetically pleasing version.

Stay tuned....

From Paul Grant
Posted on September 13, 2008 at 9:31 AM

I know the problem you're having. I also switched to a lower chinrest years ago and to this day I have the same problem about finding a shoulder rest that fits just right. I had a shoulder rest that I enjoyed for years called Otto and I don't think they make it anymore but I really liked it. Now I use a Kun Bravo which I'm surprisingly content with, though it's a little pricey. I have a few other shoulder rests collecting dust on my shelf, a bon music, a kun, and a wolf...didn't like either. If your shoulder rest keeps moving you're definitely squeezing too much with your chin. I think there should be equal pressure between holding the instrument with the hand and the chin. I know ...easier said than done. I still have that problem to this day. I hope this new solution works out better or you!

Good luck!
Paul

From Stacy Pigott
Posted on September 15, 2008 at 8:14 PM

I feel life we are on similar paths! My instructor tweaked my left thumb a few weeks ago, causing me to lose any vibrato I had, too. While mine was not caused by equipment -- I am still happy with the chin/shoulder rest combination I finally found -- I know how frustrating it can be to lose something like vibrato!

I hope your shoulder rest woes will soon be a thing of the past. And if you do develop your own rest, put me on your mailing list! :)

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Hardware problems

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