Monday, November 18, 2013

How To Choose Violin Chinrest Styles

By Katrina Wheeler


There are a lot of different violin chinrest styles out there. The majority of them fit into two main categories, though. There are the chin rests that go past the tailpiece to be mounted under the button, and there are the chin rests that are mounted on the side but don't extend past the tailpiece.

Chinrests can normally be found in all sorts of materials, shapes and sizes. They can also be found with all sorts of names, including Strad, Hill, Guarneri, Wittner, Dresden, Flesch and Tekka. Some of them also have special 'lips', which can fit your jaw shape perfectly if needed. Then there are those that just look flat.

There is no way to say which model is the most preferred one, in general, though. After all, people are never the same. In other words, while a chin rest might be comfortable for one person, it might not be a great fit for another person. So, if you currently have an uncomfortable chin rest, then you may want to go to a violin store and try other ones out instead of asking other people for advice on a product's comfort.

If possible, you should try and look for a shop that has a lot of different models available. This way, you can try out all sorts of models and figure out which one suits you best. If you need help in the matter, then just ask the store personnel to evaluate their fit with your chin.

Whenever people try out a lot of chin rests yet still feel uncomfortable with them, they tend to find it helpful to add an extra layer of padding between their skin and that of the rest. The Strad-Pad, for example, is one of these protective layers and has a cushion known as a gel rest. This gel rest can be found all over the World Wide Web nowadays.

This cushion comes in different shapes, too. However, what really makes it stand out is the fact that it is made out of a hypoallergenic gel, which won't irritate the skin and which fits perfectly over the rest's wood as needed. If you have a tall neck, then you will be happy to hear that they also provide separate gel toppers to make violin-playing even more comfortable for you. These products usually have double layers for the utmost comfort.

Other than that, gel rests are also beneficial in various other ways. As mentioned earlier, it consists of a hypoallergenic gel, so it won't irritate the skin in any way. Aside from that, it will never make your chin slip, no matter how much you sweat. It can also help support the neck better whenever you play the violin. Plus, due to the friction that will occur between the body and the cushion during play, the neck won't cramp up in any way, making playing much more comfortable overall.

Aside from evaluating violin chinrest styles, you shouldn't forget to evaluate shoulder rest styles, either. After all, both of these designs will play a big part in how safe, secure and comfortable your violin will actually be in the end.




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