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i am not using a shoulder rest or pad just the pure violin with chin rest let say i try to hold the violin to the FM video then my neck get a huge pain do i need a shoulder rest or what
?
thanks
Regulars
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Sounds that way to me.
Improvise with elastic bands and sponges to fill some of the gap until you get one
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
Yep.. of course the muscles in your neck are doing something new as well, so it's hard to say whether it's something you're doing wrong or something you're doing new... but cushioning the violin can't hurt, with a pair of folded socks or anything.
I did get a shoulder rest and found it helped very much.
Mt. Fiddler
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Regulars
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A shoulder rest would probably help. Try a few if you can get the 1 that makes u and your violin fit best. I have 5 they all work some better than others. The best 1 is the 1 that fits you best.
Regulars
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ftufc does a superb SlipperRest. Best one I tried, bu tits worth sampling a few varieties and sizes first.
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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I'd say a shoulder rest couldn't hurt I was trying to do the hands free exercises the other night and wound up the same way thought it doesn't help that my entire back has been messed up for 20+ years either but my shoulder rest didn't fit properly either so I was pretty much without one even when it was on the instrument.
Regulars
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Thanks for the "plug" Terry!
And he's absolutely right, no rest is perfect for everyone. My teacher, who's been playing for 50 years, thought The Slipper TM (officially Monday) was very comfortable when he first tried it, but didn't think it suited his style of play. However, after trying The Slipper TM "off and on" for the past 9 months, he's decided this past Thursday that he's converting to The Slipper TM for good!!!
Btw, you're hearing it here first here; I'm almost finished designing The Slipper TM for viola!!!! It should be available by March 1st 2013!!! A professional violist in France, who's been playing orchestrally for 40+ commissioned me to make one for him and as soon as I've finished his and provided him time to enjoy his "one-only" viola Slipper, I'm going to start making them available to everyone.
I now have two incredible prototypes for the viola; one that fits even better (to me) than even The Slipper TM for violin and one that is the exact same design as The Slipper TM for violin, just a bit larger, which is the one my teacher is in love with.
I think one of the most important benefits of a well-fitted shoulder rest is that it relieves virtually ALL neck strain and keeps your neck upright instead of "crooked over" having to "pinch" the instrument. My two cents anyway,,,,, actually it looks like I've spewed more like $1.25 (apologies,,,, I'm just excited, lol)
Regulars
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(So what's the difference between the "Slipper TM" shoulder rest and the "Slipper" shoulder rest? What does TM stand for? I haven't heard of this new version until now.)
Steve
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TM stands for Trademark. It's obvious that the slipper is a perfect solution for many people.
I don't have much of a neck and prefer playing without a shoulder-rest but it's important not to squeeze whether you use a shoulder-rest or not.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
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My issue, and I am new to the fiddle, is my back shoulder blade on my left side. I am right handed so my fiddle is being held up with my left hand. After about 15 minutes or so it gets all cramped up and I have to take a break and shake it off. Just wondering if this is something that is common when one starts or if the shoulder pad thing will help with my back shoulder blade.
Regulars
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I had exactly the same problem StoneDog. I don't suffer anymore, and I can't exactly say when it stopped, certainly, it lasted for a couple of months, bu tit did pass.
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
Regulars
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Thanks TerryT > Knowing others have experienced it is a good thing, >I will just work through it.
Pro advisor
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http://www.violinistinbalance......ncingv.htm
I encourage you to look into this type of thing. Pain can be avoided and your playing improved at the same time.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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I had the same experience as Terry as well, but it only lasted about 1 month for me,,, I think because I'm a lot tougher than Terry!!! Haaaaaa.
But I did experience that discomfort for several weeks, and then, it just wasn't there. All about new use of muscles I imagine.
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You should definitely consider trying a shoulder rest. Many people cannot play without one.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
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After some rather severe surgery on my neck I had a similar problem. I tried no shoulder rest and various shoulder rests of many brands and sizes and finally found one that worked.
One of the good things about it was its adjustability. It can be bent to most any shape you like. Its the Wolf Forte Secondo
I would recommend it highly.
You can see it at:
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of 
..... What was I saying???? 
Fiddlerman said
You should definitely consider trying a shoulder rest. Many people cannot play without one.
Yep. Me for example =). Tried couple times - useless.
Had neck and shoulder pains before. All gone after the proper chin-rest and shoulder-rest adjustments =)
Good luck with it!
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