JAVS Spring 2019

the shoulder rest. Keep in mind that a shoulder rest is on a fixed axis. Adjusting the height of the feet changes the angle of the shoulder rest in relation to the instrument. Some players generally compensate the leftover space with sponges, cloth, or other items. However, with a properly fitted chin rest, there should be less space overall that needs to be filled. The shoulder rest should simply add to the comfort, and not complexity, to your setup. Or, there is always the option not to use one. As with all aspects of setup, there are positive and negative outcomes of playing without a shoulder rest. In my own personal viola-playing experience, I have found that not using a shoulder rest has been the most enlightening process. I suddenly found myself very aware of my every body movement, particularly in the shoulders and back. My decision to forsake the shoulder rest was met with skepticism from other players. There was one instance in particular which I remember very well. In front of an audience at a viola festival, an unnamed educator told me after my performance that I “will never be a professional viola player if you do not use a shoulder rest.” The remaining time during this master class Shoulder Rest-less

arm, finger placement and arm motion are affected, making intonation and shifting more difficult. It is much more difficult to stretch and shift to higher notes while supporting the instrument in the same arm. With practice and attention, these issues can be overcome. While the shoulder rest may seem like a clear winner in terms of left-hand mobility, the rest-less option has some unique benefits. In many cases the shoulder rest can actually inhibit the player’s mobility by cutting off access to the shoulder. With no shoulder rest in the way, the rest-less player is free to make decisions based on how the shoulder and left arm moves. For example, if I want to get an even heavier and louder sound on the C-string, I can bring my entire left arm closer to my center. Likewise, I can even change the angle of the instrument to better suit the lower strings.

The Shoulder Rest

For those who do wish to use a shoulder rest, fortunately there are many different models and customization options available!

consisted of this person not really knowing or caring what to say next about my actual playing. In the following years, I have had the opportunity to meet some fabulous violists and hear their superb performances all without a shoulder rest. It all comes down to the personal preferences of the individual to pick the set-up that feels right for them. biggest challenges when first removing the rest are stamina and intonation. You will find that after two hours into an orchestra rehearsal, your instrument feels like it weighs two hundred pounds. Players who do not use a shoulder rest have to lift and support the bulk of the instrument with their arm and it can be quite tiring. Newfound tension can also appear in the left hand quite easily now that the arm does all the heavy lifting. With the increased workload on the left As I stated before, playing with no shoulder rest has its benefits and complications. The

Figure 3. A comparison of shoulder rest heights. The photo on the left shows an appropriately selected shoulder rest that provides the correct amount of height for his figure. On the right, a too-large shoulder rest tilts the head back and prevents the instrument from fitting under the jaw. Photo by Leanna Oquendo

53

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