July 24, 2006 at 11:24 PM

Over the past three weeks, I've worked on my posture at the suggestion of a symphony player. She has helped me enormously and I will be indebted to her for the rest of my life. Playing is so much more comfortable now. It doesn't strain my neck or shoulders, so I can practice much longer now without getting tired.

And one of the strangest things I have discovered is that higher is not always better for shoulder rests. I have a long neck, and I thought having my shoulder rest at it's full 3inch height would be good, but I have found it actually puts stress of the back of my neck near where C1 meets the occipital bone, so it is high up the back of the neck.

So, I lowered my shoulder rest today. haha

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on July 25, 2006 at 4:04 AM

Greetings,
Charlie , so glad you feel better.
>And one of the strangest things I have discovered is that higher is not always better for shoulder rests. I have a long neck, and I thought having my shoulder rest at it's full 3inch height would be good, but I have found it actually puts stress of the back of my neck near where C1 meets the occipital bone, so it is high up the back of the neck.

I have pointed this out so many times on this list I feel like screaming!!!!!!@#$%$#@*&^%$#@!!

All the best,
Buri

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on July 25, 2006 at 4:06 AM

Greetings,
where c1 meets the ob is -not- at the back of the neck. It is right in ther middle. The spine is like a tree trunk. It is nothing to do with the back of your body. If you want to find that spot put your fingers in the hollow bellow and behind each ear. Iagine they connect like a pencil running through your brain. The middle of the pencil is where you are actually talking about.
I Have said this so many times on this list I want to scream @#$%^&*(*&^%$#@

;)
Buri

From John Lanceley
Posted on July 25, 2006 at 8:47 AM

Hey buri, just say it! I know what you mean when you try and tell people stuff for their own good and they look at you like your from mars!!! Haha. Im not talking about anyone on here.
I have one side of my s/rest on max height, and one on min. It makes the violin fairly flat which helps with sound.

From John Lanceley
Posted on July 25, 2006 at 8:47 AM

From John Lanceley
Posted on July 25, 2006 at 8:57 AM

Also I hate repeating myself

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