JAVS Spring 2019

In the Studio

Leave it to the Rests! A Violist’s Guide for Chin and Shoulder Rests. Tim Feverston

Posture and Instrument Placement

Before delving into the specifics of both rests, understanding the meaning of “good posture” as it relates to the upper part of the body is fundamental in finding appropriate positioning of the instrument and the chin rest. Having a healthy posture is necessary when playing; it allows the body to move fluidly without

Figure 1. A selection of shoulder and chin rests. Photo by Leanna Oquendo

If you play either the viola or violin, you most certainly have come into possession of two important pieces of equipment: the chin and shoulder rests. These two items are either the player’s worst enemy (discomfort, restriction, frustration) or best friend (comfort, stability, ease). From my perspective, they have always been my worst enemy. The battle between my physicality and the ill-fitting shapes of rests made these past 18 years of music a constant struggle. At one point, I owned nearly every model of chin and shoulder rest available on the market, but none of them seemed to be a definite solution to my dilemma. We are fortunate to have so many different options for chin and shoulder rests on the market today, but generic “one-size-fits-all” brands and models do not work for everyone. Humans are neither one size nor one shape, and, specifically, the difference in how we navigate the collarbone is crucial to our playing. This article is intended to provide insight and understanding for the purpose of selecting an appropriate chin and shoulder rest for a more personalized fit.

tension. With that being said, here are some steps to help guide the process to finding the best position for the instrument. First, remove the chin rest, shoulder rest, sponges, cloth, or any other aids. Next, find your ideal posture, preferably while standing in front of a mirror or with the help of a teacher or colleague. Your ideal posture should include: • Standing firm with feet shoulder-width apart, making sure that your toes are pointing straight in front of you. • Knees slightly bent. • Relaxed shoulders. • Broadening the chest when arms are raised, rotating the shoulders back and down. • The crown of the head stretching upwards. (Feel like there is a string attached to the crown that is being pulled.) In an article in the Spring 2011 issue of JAVS , Hillary Herndon writes, “When standing in front of a mirror, relax your neck, look forward, and allow your head to pivot around the top of your spine (located between your

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 35, No. 1, Spring 2019

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