Viola Student's Shoulder Rest Problem
I know, this topic practically starts a war. I have a student who is 12 years old who suddenly grew taller, but her shoulders haven't grown out at all. So she is tall for her age and has very narrow shoulders. Collarbone is quite prominent. Her viola is either slipping around or digging into something. She is using a bar that doesn't have much room for adjustment and has a velvet pad. Today she was crying from pain. This cannot continue. We tried a few different things today, but to no success.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Replies (15)
SR:
1. Viva La Musica "Diamond"; I like this shoulder rest because it can be adjusted quite low and positioned closer or farther from the edge, depending on the angle of its feet.
2. A home-made wedge
"** To make wedge: Take one square of chamois leather,
Fold, to make triangle, fold again to make another, and then another...Finally, roll last smallest triangle, longer corner to longer corner, tightly fasten with rubber band around the final result. Adjustable to all heights,widths,and size of person, comfort of individual."
(http://www.elizabethwallfisch.com/page15.htm)
Depending on the size, material and thickness of the square, the resulting wedge will be smaller or bigger. Even a bigger wedge can be easily adjusted by moving it toward the edge in order to fit in between the instrument and the collar bone.
3. Shar red cosmetic pads:
http://www.sharmusic.com/Accessories/Shoulder-Rests/Red-Sponge-Shoulder-Pad-2-Pack.axd#sthash.qA5Q2ra8.dpbs
Order both thicknesses and combine them.
4. no shoulder-rest at all; to avoid slippage, use a piece of chamois under viola. It can be fixed by the elastics.
Experiment with center-mounted versus side-mounted chin rest, or no SR at all.
Last, but not the least, re-visit the size of her viola; not only body-length, but also rib's height, vibrating string length and neck width and height. Small details can make a viola very uncomfortable to play.
You didn't say if she had recently changed sizes or not, but I heard a recommendation at a Suzuki institute that the instrument's lower bout (bottom to corner) should not extend past the end of the student's shoulder, even if the arms are long enough for the next size. So a smaller size might be the answer.
If that isn't the issue. Maybe a poly-pad or something similar with some non-slip material (the stuff used to keep rugs from slipping cut to size) might offer her a softer cushion.
I find the plastic viva la musica wider and often better than the Kun rest. (Everest's also offer a softer cushion)
She might also like the added security of a Bon Musica with the adjustable hook over her shoulder.
Look at getting a new chin rest also. If she is using a Guarneri chin rest or a chin rest that is too left of the tail piece, or the wrong fit, then she will struggle with movement of the instrument.
I generally find center chinrests a better fit and much more stable.
Jenny, if you're lucky, your local shop people may be knowledgeable about some different options and able to help your student experiment in the store to find an potion that works for her. Not all shops specialize in this but I know there are a couple near me that do, so it may be with checking. They may also have some expertise in helping figure out what she needs.
I would use a leather chamois cloth so nothing digs into the skin, and then after the viola is on the collarbone, experiment what shoulder rest or sponge can best fill the gap between the viola and body.
Chinrests:
Whatever shape I have tried I have always had to file away the edge on its left half, where my jaw-bone crosses it while leaving enough ridge to hook under the jaw without gripping.
Also, the contact with the collar-bone can be even more excruciating due to the metal fittings.
Then, any slipping and insecurity leads to gripping and cramps. I have also had to shorten the screws on some shoulder rests. Th small soft pad can be better than a rigid rest, but some need extra stability in this slim, lanky stage..
At present, my pupils are all young ladies of 11 to 14 and they change so fast, and they are so sensitive..
I actually don't understand if the Viola too tall to go in between the chin and collar bone or too short to go in, but I'll try my best to help.
Okay so anyways.
If it's too short (less likely situation): Has she tried using no SR? It can be helpful in some cases.
If it's too long (most likely situation): Is her shoulder rest adjustable? If so tell her to get a new SR so that she can adjust it.
Exactly where does it hurt?
If there are very precise points of pain, e.g. collarbone, side of jaw, the offending parts of the violin setup can be padded (e.g. Strad-pad style).
(I have never, ever been able to use a chinrest "as is", but I have a good toolbox!)
If the viola is too deep to fit between jaw and collabone, it must sit in front the collarbone and be supported on the shoulder in some way. I any case I like a "real" shoulder rest to be in front of the collarbone, not on it.
If the pain is muscular, the whole setup can be reviewed. Try with no chinrest or shoulder rest at all, and see what is missing; maybe tilt the viola as i suggested above; then try to fill the gaps with great care.
I switched to a Flesch chinrest on my viola...it helped quite a bit because my center of balance (with the instrument) was more stable...
That...combined with my beloved red foam cosmetic sponge...did the trick...
If the foam sponge isn't big enough (for more prominent collarbones than mine) I would then try the thicker foam style rests...
I have one of those too...but find it too bulky...but it might just do the trick for someone else...
BTW...I tried all kinds of shoulder padding (vs. the 'Kun-style' shoulder rest) before settling on the red cosmetic sponge...so it does take some experimentation.
...and sometimes the issue isn't the padding itself...I can play with a chamois quite comfortably...but the fact that any shoulder cloth will move around and needs constant fussing drives me insane...so not an option...
In sympathy... I feel her pain (literally...having an instrument crush on that sensitive spot on the collarbone is agonizing)...
A shoulder rest I'd recommend for this situation is the Bonmusica - see http://thestringzone.co.uk/bonmusica-viola-shoulder-rest.
It has the advantage is that it can be adapted to any size or shape of anatomy, and as the player grows, so this SR can be altered. Likewise, it can be adjusted for violas of different bout widths so that it isn't too tight (which can deaden the tone) or too loose (embarrassing!)
Although perhaps not the prettiest it is one of the most comfortable and secure. I use the violin version.
Or a collar bone transplant? Whatever, John will sort her out ...
John, what made you think it was a joke?
The problem may in part be due to the lower part of the metal clamp of the chin rest being contact with the collar bone. A simple solution to alleviate possible discomfort is to wrap that metal part in overlapping strips of soft chamois leather. I have this on both my violins.
That's a good idea. That metal bit can also react and give you a sore love bite on the neck, so a hanky, or covering up permanently as Trevor suggests is a great idea.
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August 13, 2014 at 08:19 PM · Oh my.....violas AND shoulder rests?!
All you need to do now is mention that the viola she uses is made in China, purchased on EBay and you'll have hit the trifecta!