@starise said

I've noticed several users fall in and out of love with the BM. They have a period where they like it, and then they don't.

I think this has to do with a change in how violinists/violists will change their hold over the years. I don’t necessarily think it is due to the BM, exactly, although we will all say it is the BM. 😁

With newbies, which I still consider myself, as we learn to play, we are also learning to hold. As that changes, the setup actually has to change. That setup you loved no longer works. Also, as you become more comfortable, those that purchased it for the “secure” feel, tend to feel constrained by it because of that secure feeling we liked at first. I think professionals will also have issues with body changes that cause the setup they loved, no longer suitable.

I also think the type of music you play affects how you hold. Fiddle music, in my opinion, is a freer, more relaxed sort of playing, a shoulder rest as secure as the BM prevents that movement. I think a classical violinist moves the body, but not so much the violin as it rests on the shoulder. It may be subtle, but that is what I see in a lot of fiddle players vs classical players. I think the violin moves more with the body in classical players, where the fiddle moves more with the music. So, if a person plays both, I would not be surprised if they had two different shoulder rests, in some cases.

I don’t think it means a shoulder rest is at fault. We change as we play, as we learn, as we get a better comfort level, as we age. I think these all affect our set up choice.   

I do need a shoulder rest for the 15 1/2” viola I got when I traded in my 16” viola. My BM will not work. I am actually thinking of getting the 15 1/2” BM shoulder rest because, right now, as I am experimenting with the best angle hold, I need the security. After I get comfortable, I might change it. But, maybe with the viola being larger than my violin, I will keep using it.

My concern is the hardware between the back of the instrument and the BM, should it slip. I will just have to be aware.

starise said
One thing my 1st teacher commented on to me was that most of the stuff we buy for our violins won't really help us play any better. In her view an average setup with decent strings should be all I need to get to an acceptable level of playing. Adults are probably the worst for this because we often think buying something will help us.

I have to disagree. The setup has a LOT to do with your playing. If you do not have the proper set up, violinists/violists will develop issues with their necks, their backs, their arms, and their jaws. This is not just a “buy it so I play better”. It actually will make you play better because you have the proper posture, and are more comfortable. You will not be fighting with the instrument as you play, either. Will it turn you into a virtuoso? No. But will it help you improve? Yes. Will it help eliminate issues with joints, muscles, arms, neck, jaw, back, etc? Definitely. 

I also do not think adults are going to shell out bunches of money for these things because they want something new. I think that adults know that simply buying something new willy nilly is not going to make us better players. Have I a lot of set up options? Yes. Did I think they would suddenly make me have good intonation, bowing, etc. No. It was for comfort, eliminating possibility of injury. All of these points, in the end, will help your practicing and playing help you become better.

So I've been trying to have the tough mentality to make do because I've already bought stuff I probably didn't need thinking it would help. 

You will most likely purchase a number of shoulder and chin rests until you find the proper set up, and years from now, that may change. If you still have the older ones, you can see if they now work before buying different ones.

I believe anything that helps you to hold a violin so that you can play it better is very important.

Exactly!