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I’ve been struggling for months now with a couple of aches and pains ! Mostly in my neck and trapezius areas.
it’s so weird what’s happening because I feel really comfortable when I play . I’ve experimented with different chin rests and shoulder rests and always come back to the same shoulder rest ( I have changed my chin rest though) I like my set up and I think I look ok. Also I’ve had several experts have a good look and they all say I’m ok.
So basically , I was getting neck aches and I bought a new higher chin rest and that seems to have worked but now the ache has gone into my trapezius area and I can’t work out what’s going on ! The ache starts to come on after playing a few minutes and disappears when I take my violin down off my shoulder. I feel like I’m not raising my shoulder at all and I’m really conscious of making sure I don’t do that. But I must be something terrible to cause it. I say that but it’s not a terrible ache it just puts me off playing !
I did watch a really good Murphy music video about the trapezius muscles which I think applies to me and he suggested lifting a weight and not using the trapezius, just the arm so I’ve been doing that .. maybe that will work. I wonder if it is just weak muscles that I need to strengthen. Also I have a sports massage app in January . I’ve had to have knots ironed out in the past so maybe that the problem.
Anyway if anyone has any ideas I’d love to know them ! I did the Xmas project ( my contribution wasn’t great I didn’t have a huge amount of time to practice) and I’m practicing for the Xmas party . I’m doing Oh holy night - past fiddlerman project and really enjoying it .
still practicing every day but I feel like my progress is non existent .. still just about enjoying he violin though just not a lot to report just my aches !!
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Personally, I would check with my doctor.
Not to scare you, but I purchased an electric violin from someone who had to stop playing because he was having those pains and found out that he had slipped a couple neck discs. He is a former teacher. But, he could no longer play his violin because of his neck issue. He now plays and teaches guitar and the many other instruments he teaches and plays. The doctors and PT's all say it was the violin that caused it.
You may be fine with it, but you did not state you had seen a doctor, had an MRI, CT Scan, etc to find the root of the matter. For me, that is what I would do first, rather than play with suggestions, not based on the actual issue.
Forum members' experiences and solutions may not be what is right for you at the moment. Just a thought based on what you have stated. I hope this is helpful.
Forum admin or owners are not responsible for any medical advice asked or given by members.
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@Katie L, I’m so happy to see you back here this morning, but saddened to hear that you’re struggling with pain. I was thinking of you and saw your file on Fiddlerman’s Christmas project list. I was wondering what happened to you!
You said: “still practicing every day but I feel like my progress is non existent .. still just about enjoying the violin though just not a lot to report just my aches !!”
First, you must realize that practicing every day is progress! That alone says that you will prevail with your music. Eventually this rough patch will pass. So many people want to be musicians but just let the practice commitment fall by the wayside, and they eventually give it up. Practicing daily despite this setback is an accomplishment.
I agree that it might be good to check with your doctor. But you are young, and I’m sure you’ll work through this. I think building muscle as you mentioned is a good idea.
I’m not giving advice, just sharing my personal experience. When I was a kid and a younger person, I never had pain or fatigue whatsoever from playing violin or any other instrument. In recent years, crazy schedules have kept me from my daily workouts and I now have pain or fatigue from playing violin or doing many activities after I’ve been sedentary. Life tension actually collects in my back. I keep thinking that I need to work out steadily again.
I’ve returned to playing while standing up with proper form, and that helps. Recently, I began doing push-ups again to rebuild strength and stamina. You’ve inspired me, and when I log off I will pull out my hand weights and resume workouts right now. Thanks for that.
Somewhere, Fiddlerman mentioned that when he was playing professionally, he felt much better when he sat upright on the edge of his chair rather than sitting back in the chair. Maybe that’s a start.
Good luck to you. Keep us posted, and welcome back!
Unfretted
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Thanks Mouse and Unfretted 👍
I wouldn’t call it pain ( I know I did) more of an irritation or an ache ! I think it’s weird how it’s gone from my neck to my trapezius I guess they are the same muscle . It’s almost like I’m feeding it with attention .. I’m sure that’s a thing ! I have been doing some foam roller exercises which I love so relaxing and some trapezius circles.
I have been here all the time I think they call it lurking ha ha .. I just haven’t had anything to report. It’s been ages since I commented but I’ve been watching all the vids I love the Xmas party ones and Sharon’s out takes ! My Xmas tune wasn’t very good . I’m sorry to say I was planning on recording ( on the day of the deadline ) and had to have my cat put to sleep that very evening . I wasn’t in the best place but getting my entry in was really good ( even though it was rubbish)
but anyway I played Oh Holy Night for my friend this aft and she’s very honest and she liked it !!! I like the tutorial from fiddlerman too. I’m also doing deck the halls .. so I’ll be contributing to that too!
Sounds good Unfretted I’ve got some 2 kg weights so I’m going to do some exercises with them !!!
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Good to hear from you Katie, thought you had moved on in your violin playing.
I think mouses idea is good, q neck xray isnt a bad idea. For my two pennorth I would say it really could be anything. Pillow on your bed too soft or hard, creates strain when doing other activities. Pressing too hard with the chin, chin rest in wrong place, neck joint problems, middle of the back problems, the list goes on, all I can say is I get exactly the same thing, still do, mine is caused by pressing too hard with chin, cant get out of the habit unfortunately, try neck rotation exercises, but see a doc or physio if you are worried, dont think he will find anything but make sure you tell him you are a violinist.
Cant beat a sunny day
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@Katie L Glad to hear from you & that you’ve joined the Xmas GP!
Sorry to hear of your ache/pains trouble, though, and so sorry about your cat 
Hopefully, your sports massage app and some strengthening exercises will help you. Please do follow up with a doctor if it does not—you might need some kind of physical therapy to point you in the right direction for exercises that will both heal you now as well as help you prevent hurting yourself in the future.
I’ve got frequent flyer miles in PT (for my back pre & post surgeries, shoulders, etc.,), but have been fortunate enough to have good physical therapists who have given me good direction.
Important note: If you do go see a doctor/physical therapist, it is important to tell the doctor/therapist that you play the violin, as stringy indicated—they’re not going to guess that on their own.
I know those who start playing violin as adults may sometimes be hesitant to mention it, but it’s important for the medical folks to understand the somewhat awkward positions that violin playing creates so they can give good, specific guidance.
Looking forward to hearing your O Holy Night and Deck the Halls at the Party! 
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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I agree with the above comments and making sure that you tell your physician that you play violin. Better yet, take your violin with you so they can see exactly how you hold it and can better diagnose where your problem is coming from and any specific tension you are applying to your neck and shoulder. A chiropractor may be of more help.
Missed seeing your posts. Hope everything goes well for you.
Grandpa
Violin ---- the most human of all instruments
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@Grandpafiddle I was going to add to bring the violin, That is what the guy I biught my electronic violin I mentioned did. It helped a lot.
I even bring my sheet music when I get my glasses so I get my music stand glass made correctly. 😁
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Katie L
Great to hear from you, grats on the Christmas project and, Oh Holy Night.
I know we all love our acoustic fiddles, but I listen to a fiddle player who had neck issues from playing the fiddle and had to quit playing because of the pain, until she tried a Mark Woods viper, it's self supporting no neck support needed, it saved her career,.
Just food for thought
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
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@Katie L -
Happy to hear from you & that you participated in the Xmas GP!
Not happy to hear about your pain & the loss of your sweet little furry companion (very heartbreaking)!
I do feel much better, now - knowing you are lurking.
Hope you figure out what's causing the pain & feel better soon.
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Thank you Sharon , Emily , Mark, Mouse, Stringy and Grandpa 😀 !
That’s a really good idea I’ll take my violin to my appointment!
ohhhh does anyone have a foam roller ? I was using it on my back earlier it’s really nice ! Just felt good. I definitely find posture the hardest thing about playing the violin. That and squeezing . It’s weird , I feel comfortable playing I don’t understand the aches but I must be doing something weird. It must be the violin though because it comes on when I start practicing! There is always some sort of drama going on with my violin playing !!!
Yes it was sad losing our cat she was a really good cat , very amicable and cooperative , always pleased to see us and never complained. Not like the other one who wakes me up in the night meowing in my face and wanting fuss.
I did film Oh Holy Night I’ll put it in the critique corner ! Early days etc 👍
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Wow I had a look at the viper ! Amazing !!
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I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. Never easyvto lose a furry friend.
If your pain turns out to be from posture issues while playing violin you might want to look into something called The Alexander technique. It was recommended ri me by someone a few years back. Sadly none in my area.
Best wishes!
It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself. Johann S.Bach
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Thanks AnnyJ , there will be many more furry friends , we are a cat family . 😀
You might not believe thin( actually I thought I’d already written this) but … drum rolll …….. I have an appointment with someone who practices the Alexander technique where I live in Northampton . … tomorrow ! I e mailed yesterday and he fitted me in tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it goes !
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Funnily enough, it dawned on me two or three weeks ago that I hadn't seen you on here for a while, and I hoped you hadn't quit. Otoh, I haven't been on here a lot lately, so I may have missed your appearances.
It's difficult for us to help - your smartphone videos are a bit restricted: it's hard to tell if your right shoulder is relaxed or raised. Alexander technique might work - otoh, it probably won't be concerned with the violin. (sorry, I see now that people have considered that point)
The way you stand initially with left hand off the violin looks like good relaxation, but the pegbox does tend to sag towards the floor a little - try to keep it horizontal, or microscopically raised. That and the bent wrist are possibly signs of something that is happening in your left arm, but I can't diagnose it. Perhaps it is a bad combination of chinrest and shoulder rest (I can't see how long your neck is). But also I can't tell, assuming you are facing 12 O'Clock, what O'Clock the violin is. It might be too close to 12 O'Clock, which would make it harder to bring your left elbow under to reach the G string.
One possibility is that, since you bow mostly with the the upper half of the bow, your right arm is always extended (a long way, since you seem tall) and weighs heavily on your right shoulder and perhaps spine. If you bow in the third quarter of the bow from the tip, and relax your right shoulder, your right arm will be less extended and this may relieve your right trapezius. Also your tone will improve because the bow's weight will be working for you and you won't have to apply pressure with your right index finger. Possibly your violin is too close to 12 O'Clock in order to make it easier for you to bow near the tip.
A dozen violin lessons (£500?) might work out cheaper than medical help or Alexander technique sessions.
Andrew
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