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Hi everyone.
I'm 16 and I am very new to playing the violin. I started about a month ago, and am so far enjoying it. My favorite song I've learned so far is He's a Pirate. My violin is a Fiddlerman Concert, and so far I love playing on it.
I had one quick question concerning shoulder rests. So far I haven't really liked playing with shoulder rests, and so I started trying to play without, which has worked so much better for me. The problem is that the metal on the violin's end jabs into my collar bone. So I've been looking into different solutions, and one thing I found was the Kreddle Cushion.
I was just wondering if anyone here has tried it, and if so, what do you think? It sounds like the point of it is to cover the metal on it for more comfortable playing without shoulder rests, and I was hoping someone here might know more about it before I try getting one.
Thanks in advance!
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Hello and welcome to the forum, glad to hear you are enjoying your new fiddle.
I use a wolf shoulder rest myself, so dont know about the kreddle, however some violinists just use a piece of cloth over the end of their violin, and onto their shoulder.
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@WynterSkye -
Welcome to the Fiddlerman Forum!
Think you'll find you have embarked on an exciting new adventure with your violin. 🤗
The Kreddle Cushion looks like it should work well - never saw one before!
I also found most shoulder rests too tall and I can't change out my chin rest because it's a wired pre-amp. Plus, I have a 5 string, so it helps me if I can roll it when I need to reach from the E string to the C - many rests make that difficult.
I now use a "SureTone" rest. It covers the metal edge and is arched, so not to dampen the sound from your violin - and, it comes with several little velcro/foam cushions for further adjustment.
You are just starting out, but you might be interested in this thread here.
Glad you joined us!
- Emily
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There was a thread I started here about that problem. It includes my temporary solution and several others added theirs.
diy-fix-for-chin-rest-digging-into-collarbone
I ended up getting a different chin rest with less obtrusive fittings and a shoulder rest (or two).
The old curmudgeon!
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@WynterSkye Welcome to the Forum!
I've never felt comfortable without a shoulder rest, & so I'm not familiar with the Kreddle, but it looks like it might work for you. Or if you google "chin rest cover", there are cloth options.
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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Welcome to the forum @WynterSkye. I am so pleased you have introduced yourself.
I am afraid that I use a shoulder rest, so can’t offer any help with the issue you are having, but it seems you have received some information. I am sure you will receive more as more members see your introduction post.
Welcome to the forum.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
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@WynterSkye
Welcome to the forum,
I to do not use a shoulder rest and just my tee shirt or a piece or cloth works for me, might try the micro cleaning cloth that came with your concert violin draped across your collar bone and see if that works for you.
I had not seen the Kreddle cushion before but it appears it may work.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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Hello and welcome to the forum! It is always nice to have new folks joining in.
As for shoulder rests, I did not use any shoulder rest during my first months of playing the violin, I only started using a shoulder rest for the same reason you mentioned. I used the Fiddlerman's one that comes with my Concert outfit for about one year and then I traded it for the Bon Musica. I found the BM more comfortable but I cannot say "perfectly" comfortable. It is still a bit stiff and cumbersome but better than my first shoulder rest. If I hadn't had any, I would fold a piece of cloth and put it under the violin. I was curious about it and found a video by Red Desert Violin. She has a demo about the Kreddle cushion on YouTube and she showed how to install it. She said that some violin students found it hard to install but she said it is not if you do it correctly so she demonstrated how to do it. The things that she likes about it is that it is very customizable. You can tilt it forward or backward, rock it side by side or even spin it. Once you find your best setting, you just lock it into place!
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The Kreddle cushion looks like something I might look into using on violin even with a shoulder rest. The edge of the violin should ideally rest on your collarbone regardless of whether you are using a shoulder rest; the shoulder rest shouldn't raise the height of the instrument under your jaw but should fill space over your shoulder.
Unfortunately, I can't use it on viola because I can't afford to make my viola even a millimeter taller. I have to use a custom made ultra-low chinrest just to fit a viola between my jaw and collarbone at all.
By the way, I currently use a Viva La Musica Professional shoulder rest on my viola. It's my favorite of all the viola shoulder rests I've tried. On violin, I've recently switched to the Performa, a new brand that hit the market in 2019. Both shoulder rests can be adjusted to be extremely low, and I have both set at the minimum possible height.
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Thanks everyone for the thoughts and advice! It's nice to meet you!
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We hope to see you here often.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Hi WinterSkye,
I’m bony and have definitely suffered with violin hardware. Some side-mount chin rests have helped me in the past. But the greatest, cheapest, easiest, and most effective solution I have used is a wrap around chin rest cover from Amazon. I paid $9.99, but it now costs $7.99. (I first tried a similar cloth sleeve, but it was worthless. )
This Chin Smart chin rest cover wraps around the hardware on the end of the violin and protects me completely from all of the hardware. As a bonus, the little sleeve that slips over the chin rest is very lightly padded— just enough to make the chin rest cozy without adding any bulk whatsoever. It looks like chamois but is really some sort of fabric that does not irritate my sensitive skin. It’s great on hot days, reducing perspiration and protecting the instrument. It does not reduce the resonance or tone of my violin.
At the time I first puchased this, I didn’t see anything like this at FiddlerShop. I think they may sell something like this now, but I don’t think it’s identical. I haven’t tried it.
I always try to buy from and support FiddlerShop first. They are amazing, Fiddlerman Pierre is wonderful, and he provides this great forum.
Hope that helps. I now use a BonMusica shoulder rest, meticulously fitted, and it is great for me, but I’m not young. At your age, you could probably find something less expensive if you do want to use a shoulder rest. The Fiddlerman shoulder rest that comes with his kits is good for many folks who are starting out once you find the placement and position that works best for you.
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Welcome to the forum. I haven't tried the Kreddle but I LOVE the Strad Pad. That is SUPER comfortable to use. I would recommend a large one if you get it. It not only protects the back where the clamps are bothering you but also the chinrest, end button, and back edges.
https://fiddlershop.com/produc.....1329468467
Looking forward to your future posts.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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