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I seem to be having a constant battle with my shoulder rest every time I practice. Honestly my shoulder rest , if I can get it in the right part of my shoulder is fine and the violin doesn’t move it’s just if I don’t get it in the exact spot it’s an issue and I take forever trying to get it right. But I think it’s just me, I think even if my violin was surgically attached to me I’d still be complaining ! Also if something gets in the way it’s an issue …like some hair or a neck line ! Just find it frustrating. I kind of wonder how everyone else gets on, in particular those who like freedom around where the violin hits the shoulder ! How do you do it ?
Also I really can’t focus at the moment maybe that’s to do with current affairs. I’ve gone from wohlfahrt to Schradieck to Sevcik and can’t decide which to focus on and I’m not really playing a piece or practicing vibrato.
I needed to vent but if anyone has any ideas I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
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I totally agree with the frustration! I don't know how many times I've changed the position and it seems fine for a while, and then it isn't. As far as the stuff getting in the way, I often wear a sweater with a zipper front, and I pull down the left shoulder, so the viola is not resting on it, but on the t-shirt that I normally wear.
The old curmudgeon!
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I used to really struggle with my shoulder rest, but have come to realise 95 per cent of it is to do with relaxation, so now it doesnt bother me really, couldnt play properly without because of the violins height would be too low.
I also jump from one thing to another, but I always practice scales for at least 20 miutes at the begining of practice, I dont go through them all but usually do a few minutes on 3 or 4 , I dont practice all the minor scales enough to be honest, by that I mean the various forms, harmonic , melodic etc. I also run through a few two or 3 octave arpeggios, and dominant 7ths.
Play danny boy for vibrato practice, great tune for practicing that,.
I know what yaou mean about current afffairs, I was only thinking today, if I had been younger I would probably have gone to fight, seriously, I hate bullys.
Cant beat a sunny day
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So right Stringy, everything else seems trivial! I will practice Danny Boy for vibrato … I’d forgotten about that one ! I think whatever I do I will practice scales first and then at least if the rest goes up the swanny at least I will have done some scales.
john g it’s sooo frustrating. I took my shoulder rest off the other day and couldn’t get it back in position but then I found an adjustment I could do with it and thought wow I’ve had a breakthrough and now I’m back to faffing !!loved your videos by the way the first one I especially liked I really admire you - amazing progress. How did you get the things in the background. One of these days I might try and do something fancy rather than the standard Language of Tea poster in the background !
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@Katie L - Thanks! Our library has a green screen which, as its name implies, is a plain green sheet about 8 feet wide and floor to ceiling. Most video processing programs allow you to select that background and then basically erase it and if you have a picture (jpg) "behind" it lets that show instead. Actually, fairly simple when you understand how to use it. I use Corel VideoStudio, but only because I got a "deal" on it since I also own Corel PaintShop Pro, which is really a photo editing tool, rather than a painting program. Both photos used in these two videos were taken by me on vacation trips.
The old curmudgeon!
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I know what you mean. I have a silicone shelf liner zip tied to my shoulder rest and it STILL won't stay put!
Part of that is my shirt fabric. I wear casual button down dress shirts and they're not nearly as grippy as a T shirt or polo. What I think I need to do is sew a suede patch on my "violin" shirts. 
I also understand about the "lack of motivation" thing. Right now I'm struggling with playing even for half an hour per day. Most of that comes from not being able to get any expression into the piece I'm studying. To my ear, no matter how many times I listen to the Suzuki CD, it's still a cacophony of notes rather than a melody.
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@Katie L I don’t think there is an easy answer for getting the right shoulder rest/chinrest setup. I think we’re all different physically, so each of our struggles with changes is going to be different. Most important is to not physically strain/cause injury.
I changed my shoulder rest/chinrest setup several times. I think it partly comes with the learning process. What works for you at first may not work anymore when you learn different things, e.g., using more bow, changing your hand shape, etc.,
In the time I've been taking lessons, my teacher has changed her setup a few times, too (she's using Fiddlerman's new Freedom chinrest right now). I think changes could just be a lifelong thing.
It’s ok to move around on things. Etudes are rote learning. Children are good with rote learning. Adults are not as good at it. Adults learn new things mostly by relating the new thing to a thing they already know. This is why playing a song you recognize, or a nice melody might be easier to work on. Nothing wrong with that if you can find pieces that incorporate the skills you are looking to work on.
In the nearly 9 years I’ve been playing, I have done several Etude exercises—but I have never gone through a book of Etudes all at once. Not saying you can’t—or that is good or bad to do it—just saying I haven’t. I’ve had a teacher for the last 6 years—she doesn’t expect me to, either.
Having something you enjoy playing can help with motivation. Ending your practice session on a tune you like to play, or a section of what you’ve learned that you’ve feel good about playing is a good idea. If you find yourself dreading practice, you need to change something.
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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@Katie L -
I hear your pain about focus - all it takes is seeing a cat hair on my instrument or bow & I completely lose it! (lol)
🤣 I'm starting to wonder how many people are truly happy, completely content, with their shoulder rest and chinrest combination.
If you get too frustrated with your setup, consider finding a Luthier or teacher who you can pay to physically help you find what shoulder rest and chinrest fit you best.
By getting a larger Viola than my Violin, I've just recently opened up a whole new can of worms for myself! Doesn't help that my clothes are loose and my posture is terrible.
On my Violin, the chinrest houses the electronics - I can't change it out, which removes some adjustment possibilities. I don't have this issues with my Viola, so I'm starting to think about a different chinrest, but it's like starting the whole process over from scratch, again.
I used to think something like the "Dolfinos" system, a combination of adjustable shoulder rest and chinrest, was ridiculously expensive - but, some of us have probably wasted that much money by buying many separate pieces, just to find them all inadequate.
...I've seen people use a neck strap to hold the violin.
@SharonC said:
It’s ok to move around on things. Etudes are note learning. Children are good with note learning. Adults are not as good at it. Adults learn new things mostly by relating the new thing to a thing they already know. This is why playing a song you recognize, or a nice melody might be easier to work on. Nothing wrong with that if you can find pieces that incorporate the skills you are looking to work on.
Really nice! 🤗
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Thanks for the replies Emily Sharon and RDP.. really like hearing your thoughts. I’ve actually put one of those violin dusters over my chin test today and that feels a bit nicer and my shoulder feels like it’s actually in the right place. I’ve noticed I also turn my head to look at my fingers and that causes everything to mess up. So need to stop doing that and listen rather than look. Also gone back to Danny boy. Oh yes so my left thumb Kind of lays down which it has to do so I can try to vibrate but I was getting lots on tension but I find if I tap it against the neck that relieves the tension . I feel like I’m in no pain at all so can’t complain .
I feel like I’m just so amazed when I watch people play how do they do it and how can they be so comfortable ! Oh and I’m definitely not good with note learning and after a few days not playing a piece it’s really nice to get back to a melody .
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@Katie L
I believe that you need to focus on something a bit different. When I used a shoulder rest as a youngster I had issues. The problem for me was that the violin had to be fixed in one position which made things more difficult for me.
I'm not saying loose the shoulder rest. Shoulder rests are great for many people.
What I believe will be your savior is to learn to hold the violin so incredibly loose that it's more or less just balance on your collar/shoulder.... anywhere that feels right. Then the other side is supported by your left hand but just barely as well. Unless you are shifting down, you'll find that you don't need to hold the violin very hard.
Give it a shot but do it progressively. It takes time to get used to but you have to consciously think about it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Hi Katie
I realised my shoulder rest was causing me a lot of pain so I got rid of it, it took a while to get used to but I love the freedom of being able to pick up a violin without having to adjust the rest etc and just play. I noticed I like to move around a bit too lol. I know they are great for lots of people though.
As for focus, I have been so so busy recently its been added pressure to try and fit in Violin practice, it started to feel like a chore! So, I just played what I enjoyed playing for a bit, things that made me happy! Secretly that included the Christmas songs when the family were out of the house! That worked for me and now I just pick out some things daily depending on how I feel. I'm not working towards any grades or anything so I can have freedom to choose.
Emily
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Thanks Emily and Fiddlerman!
I’ve actually just done something . So I’ve removed my bon musica which I swear by and have adjusted to the millimetre! And put on the shoulder rest that came with my eBay Stentor. Will need a shoulder rest there is no way I can play without but I have always found the Bon musica makes the violin really heavy and clumpy. I only had time to play a few notes but it feels a lot lighter and I think I may actually be able to do it. I’m going to give it a really good go and try not to focus on it too much.
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Katie M
Just food for thought, even with a shoulder rest I believe the end of the fiddle should rest on the collar bone and the shoulder rest filling the gap if needed.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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Thanks Mark I think that’s what I pretty much have now. I’ve ditched my Bon musica and have my wolf one now which is lighter and better I think. I have to have a rest to fill the gap. I’ve been having a look back at your vids you look very comfortable playing and have such a nice sound ! Hopefully I can get past this I think I will.
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Katie M
Thank you.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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Lot's of people swear by the Bon Musica shoulder rest but that one in particular, if you want freedom I think you're going the wrong way.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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