Attaching a shoulder rest to your violin involves correctly positioning and securing it to the back of the instrument's body for comfortable support while playing.
Understanding the Purpose
A shoulder rest is an essential accessory for most violinists and violists. It provides a comfortable padded surface between the player's shoulder and the instrument, helping to support the violin securely without excessive tension in the neck, jaw, or shoulders. This allows for greater freedom in the arms and hands for bowing and fingering.
Attaching a Shoulder Rest: A Step-by-Step Guide
Attaching a shoulder rest typically involves securing its feet or clamps onto the back of the violin. The exact process can vary slightly depending on the specific design of the shoulder rest (e.g., Korfker, Kun, Everest, Wolf, etc.), but the general principles remain consistent.
Here are the basic steps to attach a common shoulder rest:
1. Orient the Shoulder Rest
Most shoulder rests have a specific orientation. One end is designed to go towards the tailpiece (the end with the fine tuners), and the other towards the chinrest (the end where you rest your chin). Ensure you have it facing the correct direction relative to your instrument.
2. Prepare the Feet
The shoulder rest attaches via two feet, usually with rubber or padded grips, that hook onto the edges of the violin's back. These feet are often adjustable in width and sometimes in angle or height. Adjust the width of the feet slightly wider than the edge of the violin's back to prepare for placement.
3. Position on the Violin
Place the shoulder rest onto the back of the violin, typically across the lower bout (the wider, rounded part). The feet should grip the edges of the instrument's back.
According to the reference, you will slide one of the shoulder rest's connection points (feet) to the widest portion on the back of the violin.
Then, you will slide the other one right into the middle of that widest area. The reference notes that usually right in the middle is the wider spot where the shoulder rest should be positioned if you've done it correctly. This describes positioning the rest across the widest part of the lower bout.
4. Secure the Grip
Once positioned, gently push the feet inwards so they securely grip the edges of the violin's back. The fit should be snug enough that the rest stays in place but not so tight that it stresses the instrument's wood.
5. Check for Security
Give the shoulder rest a gentle tug to ensure it is firmly attached. It should not easily slide off or wobble excessively.
6. Adjust Height and Angle (Optional but Recommended)
Most shoulder rests offer adjustments for height and angle. Place the violin on your shoulder as you would to play and adjust the rest until it feels comfortable and holds the instrument securely against your collarbone without requiring you to lift your shoulder or grip with your chin tightly.
| Adjustment Type | Purpose | How to Adjust (Common) |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Fit the specific size/model of your violin | Slide feet along the rest's body |
| Height | Accommodate player's neck length/shoulder slope | Screw feet up/down, or use adjustable legs |
| Angle | Conform to shoulder contour | Pivot feet, or adjust leg angle (on some models) |
Practical Tips
- Always ensure the rubber or padding on the feet is intact to prevent damage to the violin's finish.
- Avoid overtightening adjustable feet, as this can potentially compress or damage the violin's edges.
- Experiment with different positions across the lower bout to find what is most comfortable and effective for you.
- Some players prefer the rest slightly offset rather than perfectly centered on the widest point.
By following these steps, including positioning the feet by sliding them to the widest portion and the middle of the lower bout as mentioned in the reference, you can effectively attach a shoulder rest to your violin.
