Choosing Between Different Violin Chinrest Styles

By Marylou Forbes


Chin rests provided the much needed relief to the left hand so that violinists can pay attention to strings. Violin chinrest styles help different players to master their technical skills as well as enhance sound production quality. Some are customized to reflect individual styles and preferences depending on their area of musical specialization.

The styles defer from one player to the other and depending on environment of play. Making the best choice will enhance your posture and effectiveness in producing the intended sound. Players who support their instruments well have the right balance especially of the collar bone and left hand. This helps to improve technical skills.

Failure to place the chin rest in the right position can be identified naturally. This is signaled by pains or aches which are followed by clenching challenges after a prolonged period with the instrument. This happens because of the pressure that comes with positioning the violin at the same place for too long.

Any discomfort during play should alert you of a challenge with positioning. Tilting the head to the right or left in order to accommodate positioning is not the best approach. It makes it difficult to master technical skills and affects your professionalism. This position is not natural and will hinder the player from performing maximally.

Sound quality is easily affected by the manner of clipping the rest. The styles vary from one violinist to the other. Classical violinists did not use the caps. These caps were introduced later and had a transformational effect on flexibility and dexterity in play. They made fingering boards easier to access.

Oily skins are likely to eat away varnish from violins with continued use. This is why it is advisable to use chin rests. An individual is only comfortable to a particular extent depending on personal preferences. This means that considerations vary from one violinist to the next.

The best cap and positioning are easily identified over time and during practice. Most clips are placed on the left or center. It takes individual effort and practice to master the most comfortable position. Directions from a seasoned violin tutor will assist you find the best style. This will move you closer to achieving full potential.

Freeing the left hand allows violinists to improve on technical skills. This includes finger movement and relieving pressure from the jaw and neck. This will improve your performance at the world stage. It is likely to cause a bump on the neck, though this does not affect your facial features.

The clipping of chin rests affects sound quality and production. Chin rest that reach the inner body affect the quality of vibrations which in turn reduces resonance and sound depth. This means that every violinist must be concerned at how the clipping is done. Caps are effective in adapting instruments depending on whether they are too big or small.

Violinists have used chin rests to make their instruments fashionable. This is achieved through choice of complementary patterns or colors. This must be done in moderation to preserve sound quality.




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