Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Member
Offline
I've been playing violin for 8 months non stop, like i can never put it down but now my right arm and shoulder hurts after 10 minutes of playing and my left hand hurts more, to the point i cant do vibrato without pain
Any suggestions?
Member
Offline
I don't use a shoulder rest, the violin doesn't feel comfortable at all, it digs into my collar bone and makes it sore
Regulars
Offline
OMGitsDannie said
I don't use a shoulder rest, the violin doesn't feel comfortable at all, it digs into my collar bone and makes it sore
Yeah, you will have that. >you need to make some adjustments.> consider everything that members will suggest. > It hurt my collar bone for a bit > I said to myself > that SUCKs!! > I then made adjustments so it would not do that > I was able to correct that by trying what others posted here > It was a big help > It is not much of an issue anymore > Yeah > you will have that.
Members
Offline
I use a shoulder rest on electric and don't use one on acoustic, but both of them would bite into the collarbone. Not because of the violin, but because of the metal chinrest clamp. Some folks lay a cloth or handkerchief over the chinrest and around the bottom of the violin, some use something like a thin cosmetic sponge to give it a bit of cushioning.
My solution was just to cut a scrap of soft leather and punch a couple holes in it.
I don't know what is up with chinrest clamps. I can only guess that they were designed by people who played though several layers of clothing or maybe just were sadistic. LOL
But the left hand and the right arm and shoulder hurting aren't likely caused by that. Are any other joints of the body that maybe you don't think of as connected with violin playing hurting as well? If it is a more widespread problem, you might need to consider seeing a doctor. If it seems strictly limited to what you use when playing, is there anyone near where you live who teaches or plays that might be able to check your posture and etc in person?
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
Offline
The only way playing without a shoulder rest makes sense is when you can play and hold the instrument freely and comfortably. I don't use one but I have a soft round rubber pad under the violin to keep a good contact (non slippery) to my collar-bone/shoulder. It's a good idea to balance the violin so you don't feel the need to grip it IMO.
For MANY, the shoulder-rest is an important piece of equipment to be able to comfortably hold the instrument.
We could give much better advice if we could see you holding the instrument. Same thing with your right arm and shoulder problem.
My guess is that you are bowing using your shoulder movement and not your elbow as you should be doing. Spend the first 10 minutes of your practice doing nice relaxed bowing exercises making sure the movement is not coming from your shoulder and ensuring that you are relaxed and not tense. Bow full bows from the frog to the tip (perhaps in front of a mirror), then bow half bows from the middle of the bow to the tip and from the frog to the middle. Try this for a while, as boring as it may seem, and see if it doesn't bring you a more relaxed bowing technique within a month or so.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Member
Offline
DanielB
Thank you for showing me that picture, i used that the cloth solution and it helped alot
i have made some adjustments to my violin, i have ordered a shoulder rest but for now i attached a few socks to the bottom of my violin and it actually helped haha, i find the bow too long for me so i was wondering if i could use a 3/4 bow instead?
I'm self taught so i knew i would run into some problems but there is no violin tutors where i live 
Regulars
Offline
My first question is this: What changed in the past month that now makes your arm hurt and prevents more than 10 minutes of play/practice?
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
Member
Offline
If your left hand is also hurting, there might also be something with posture or with gripping too much.
The violin should feel light and airy under your neck and no real clamping there, reaching with your left arm or gripping with your left hand should be necessary. Everything should sort of feel loose and flexible.
Definitely give the shoulder rest a shot; it will most likely make everything feel more stable and allow you to grip a little less. Although I began learning without and can still play without one, certain techniques, such as vibrato, feel much easier to me when using a shoulder rest.
In any case, if you have a video of yourself playing, we could probably give you more specific pointers.
Member
Offline
I took a day off from playing violin which i think helped, also should i be gripping the violin neck? because i've noticed i do that alot.
This is how i'm holding the violin & bow
Offline
On the bow hold,
Try not spreading your fingers like that. Causes tension for almost everyone who does it. Your pinky should be on top of the stick to relieve pressure and your thumb should be curved/rounded slightly.
Gripping is a tough word to address. You should hold the violin loosely but not grip with any force or tension. My violin just rests in my hand.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Member
Offline
Thank you, i'm going to take a break learning songs and focus more on properly holding.
Advanced member
Offline
I suggest you send another two pictures of the new situation after you modify both your left hand and right hand holds.
It is also possible the bow screw has been tightened too far (I cannot see from the photograph) so that could be checked with a third photograph of the middle section of the bow (side on) if you would add that too.
1 Guest(s)
ELCBK
Strabo
Mouse
Fiddlerman
