SHOULDER REST

Shoulder Rests come in several different types. All of them are attached underneath the violin and viola on the back of the instrument. The purpose of the shoulder rest is to transfer the weight of the instrument to your shoulder.

There are various opinions on the use of the shoulder rest. Some players prefer to use a sponge attached with rubber bands, while others insist that they prefer not to use one at all. Most orchestra violin and viola players use a shoulder rest.

I recommend that you use a shoulder rest. It makes balancing the instrument easier. A shoulder rests takes the burden off of your left hand. It frees the hand’s range of motion, which allows your hand to travel the instrument more efficiently.

Most shoulder rests have adjustable heights and angles, which allows you to experiment with adjusting it to find the most comfortable position for you. Because everyone is physically different, your best choice is to use a standard shoulder rest that has a curve that matches your shoulder.

Most shoulder rests have a firm, shaped, supporting piece with a foam cushion attached. The feet attach the shoulder rest to the instrument and usually are rubber coated. This helps to protect the finish of the instrument.