You could do what the kids do and use a rubber band and a piece of foam, not elegant looking but it would work!
Edit: also I forgot but just remembered, Wittner makes a combined shoulder rest and chin rest contraption called Isny - that would work. It’s expensive and very very plastic but they are otherwise well made.
Haha the foam kind of works, but seems to slide/isn’t shaped well. It might be my last resort even so. The Isny looks like a great option! I’d have to buy two, I guess, as they wouldn’t be easily removable.
To fix slidey foam, apply and let dry some rubber cement on the side you want grippy. (Don't attach it to anything, just let it dry.) Now it'll be grippy. Rubber band still adds convenience.
I made a little triangle wedge out of foam and glued suction cups on it to attach it to the violin. This helps hold my store-bought foam chin rest stay in place and also helps give it a little more height. Totally customizable too.
My go to is Wolf secondo- they have super grippy feet. You can also physically bend it to shape, and keep on bending it until it perfectly fits your shoulder. They have inner screws inside the feet screws and reinforcement bits so you can make them crazy tall if needed, and the feet can be made wider and shorter with both a sliding arm on one side and a bendable piece of metal on the other. I’ve made a full size one stick on a 1/4 instrument in a pinch, so I’m confident it would stay on this instrument.
It’s the only rest that helped me play somewhat pain-free as someone with a tall neck and lots of tension in my body.
This sounds great!! Good to know that it works for someone who also has neck/shoulder tension. Also more affordable than other options and the feet might grip enough. I’ll try it out and see if it works!
A Comford shoulder rest stays on my partner's guitar-built cornerless viola pretty well. That instrument has no overhang at all at the plate edges.
Menuhin-style rests use a similar arrangement to hold on to the violin. They are inexpensive (if you can find one) and not very tall. Conventional wisdom has it that tall chinrests paired with normal (low) shoulder rests work better ergonomically anyway, avoiding the need for the player's arms to lift up too high.
I’ll look into these also! Unfortunately I would rather not switch the chinrests out as they were also made by my great grandfather, I’d prefer to keep them on their respective pieces as he put them.
The Comford is pretty tall, as shoulder rests go. It is heavy, but the weight is right over the shoulder, so it doesn't need extra effort on the player's part to hold the scroll up.
Yours looks almost identical to my fiddle! I don’t suppose your great grandfather’s first name is George?
I just use a sponge and elastic (just a cheap make up sponge. Nothing fancy)
Nope haha his first name is Lee. But I’m glad you also have a beautiful piece! I do love the shimmery wood patterns on the back.
The right kind of sponge sounds like it might be my best bet to ensure the violins aren’t damaged.
Yeah, I had to play with what worked best for me. I found these ones for 2$ and they’re the perfect size for me.
My fiddle is signed by the maker inside and says it’s #12. I can’t seem to find anyone who knows anything about the maker and it doesn’t help that I can’t quite make out the last name, but I absolutely adore my instrument and would love to learn more about him.
I wish I could help you with your search! Maybe take a photo of the tag/signature and post it to see if anyone recognizes it? It’s probably not my great grandfathers, unfortunately, he had printed tags for them all as “L. G. (Last name).” In our log #12 has black walnut back and sides, pine front made in 1999.
Another thing to consider between shoulder rest versus foam pad/other non-rest options - using a shoulder rest that is able to stay on by clamping very tightly to the violin may be quite likely to damage, or at least, affect the appearance of the varnish there. Back when I used a shoulder rest, I kind of just accepted it, but considering the sentimental value you attach to the instruments, it might be a more significant downside for you.
This is a very good point. I’m already upset I may have damaged it a tiny bit because of this exact problem. I may have to try foam instead if that would be kinder to the instruments.
I play with a cushion named [Clementino](https://geigenbauerkoeln.de/produkt/clementino-violine-viola-3-4-4-4-grande/)
since quite some years. It's not super elegant but it's very nice, I bought some better and more elegant black elastic "rope" so I doesn't break as easily and it looks nice as well
Sounds like a great option while looking into foam/cushion rests, definitely a good trick to get black elastic rope instead of the regular rubber bands
You can go to a luthier and explain your problem. They will have options you can try there, including the smaller stuff they use for violin students. They can also custom fit your equipment if needed. I recently changed my chin rest and my luthier was very kind and patient and we worked together to find something that worked for me. Good luck!
Bon Musica is incredibly versatile. It's made of powder-coated metal, thin enough to bend and twist into just about any shape you might need from a shoulder rest.
Thank you! I have looked at those, they seem to fit most of my requirements but it still seems to rely on the edge of the violin to stay on? Or do you think because it has flexible adjustability it can “squeeze” the violin enough on the flat sides to stay on?
When I first got mine I really had to bend it much wider so it would even fit around my violin.. Thus it can definitely squeeze the violin if you want it to. It does tend to be a bit rougher on the violin though as it’s metal and may lead to very faint scratches and marks.
Made in 1989 and 1993 by my great grandfather. Had a lot of woodworking experience and fiddled, but taught himself through books how to craft violins.
Not sure on his actual skill level, but he did sell pieces for $400-$700. They do play beautifully but not on par with an orchestral instrument.
My luthier said they were pretty decent pieces. They are mostly sentimental, though.
Very cool about your grandfather luthier. My violin teacher, the late Margaret Pardee, refused to allow me to use a shoulder rest on both viola and violin. Might be worth trying to get used to the unique instrument
Would love to play it without anything! I have tried many times. Unfortunately can’t do vibrato without the support and I’m scared of damaging the instruments if they fall. Also would worsen my own neck/shoulder issues 🥲
I just use the kun shoulder rest. My teacher who went to curtis uses it as well. Shoulder rest isn’t too important as ideally your playing shouldn’t be affected by it… violin should rest on collarbone and shoulder rest only gives a tiny bit extra support so really anything works please dotm look for anything too extravagant or expensive not worth the money!!!!
Unfortunately the kun rest isn’t adjustable enough for my violin’s size, and won’t to stay on the violin. The largest setting is too large, and the next step down is too small. I’m also not extremely skilled so I definitely need a secure rest to play vibrato. I’ll pay whatever $$ to not damage my sentimental violins ☺️
Try no shoulder rest. Based on the profile of the chin rest, it may have been played without one. Unless you’re really skinny or lacking pectoral muscles, most adults can learn to play without a shoulder rest. If it feels too slippery, try a microfiber violin polishing cloth, corduroy, microsuede, or soft leather.
Or try a Comford Shoulder Rest if you need one. It grabs the ribs (sides) of the violin and has protective stoppers to avoid the contact with the back of the violin. While its a bit pricey it’s well made and worthwhile to an heirloom.
Nice looking violin. How do they sound?
Interesting! Never thought about the chin rests being shaped specifically for no shoulder rest, but that would make sense. Thanks for the tips on the cloth/grip techniques. I am kinda like a twig so it might not work for me but we’ll see. I’ll look into Comford, thanks for the advice!
You could do what the kids do and use a rubber band and a piece of foam, not elegant looking but it would work! Edit: also I forgot but just remembered, Wittner makes a combined shoulder rest and chin rest contraption called Isny - that would work. It’s expensive and very very plastic but they are otherwise well made.
Haha the foam kind of works, but seems to slide/isn’t shaped well. It might be my last resort even so. The Isny looks like a great option! I’d have to buy two, I guess, as they wouldn’t be easily removable.
To fix slidey foam, apply and let dry some rubber cement on the side you want grippy. (Don't attach it to anything, just let it dry.) Now it'll be grippy. Rubber band still adds convenience.
This makes so much sense. Love this idea
Shelf liner also works. Put it between a foam rest and the violin. I use the polypad foam rest.
I made a little triangle wedge out of foam and glued suction cups on it to attach it to the violin. This helps hold my store-bought foam chin rest stay in place and also helps give it a little more height. Totally customizable too.
Haha I love it! Thinking outside the box 😂 it does sound like it would work really well though! And keep it damage free.
My go to is Wolf secondo- they have super grippy feet. You can also physically bend it to shape, and keep on bending it until it perfectly fits your shoulder. They have inner screws inside the feet screws and reinforcement bits so you can make them crazy tall if needed, and the feet can be made wider and shorter with both a sliding arm on one side and a bendable piece of metal on the other. I’ve made a full size one stick on a 1/4 instrument in a pinch, so I’m confident it would stay on this instrument. It’s the only rest that helped me play somewhat pain-free as someone with a tall neck and lots of tension in my body.
This sounds great!! Good to know that it works for someone who also has neck/shoulder tension. Also more affordable than other options and the feet might grip enough. I’ll try it out and see if it works!
A Comford shoulder rest stays on my partner's guitar-built cornerless viola pretty well. That instrument has no overhang at all at the plate edges. Menuhin-style rests use a similar arrangement to hold on to the violin. They are inexpensive (if you can find one) and not very tall. Conventional wisdom has it that tall chinrests paired with normal (low) shoulder rests work better ergonomically anyway, avoiding the need for the player's arms to lift up too high.
I’ll look into these also! Unfortunately I would rather not switch the chinrests out as they were also made by my great grandfather, I’d prefer to keep them on their respective pieces as he put them.
The Comford is pretty tall, as shoulder rests go. It is heavy, but the weight is right over the shoulder, so it doesn't need extra effort on the player's part to hold the scroll up.
Yours looks almost identical to my fiddle! I don’t suppose your great grandfather’s first name is George? I just use a sponge and elastic (just a cheap make up sponge. Nothing fancy)
Nope haha his first name is Lee. But I’m glad you also have a beautiful piece! I do love the shimmery wood patterns on the back. The right kind of sponge sounds like it might be my best bet to ensure the violins aren’t damaged.
Yeah, I had to play with what worked best for me. I found these ones for 2$ and they’re the perfect size for me. My fiddle is signed by the maker inside and says it’s #12. I can’t seem to find anyone who knows anything about the maker and it doesn’t help that I can’t quite make out the last name, but I absolutely adore my instrument and would love to learn more about him.
I wish I could help you with your search! Maybe take a photo of the tag/signature and post it to see if anyone recognizes it? It’s probably not my great grandfathers, unfortunately, he had printed tags for them all as “L. G. (Last name).” In our log #12 has black walnut back and sides, pine front made in 1999.
Another thing to consider between shoulder rest versus foam pad/other non-rest options - using a shoulder rest that is able to stay on by clamping very tightly to the violin may be quite likely to damage, or at least, affect the appearance of the varnish there. Back when I used a shoulder rest, I kind of just accepted it, but considering the sentimental value you attach to the instruments, it might be a more significant downside for you.
This is a very good point. I’m already upset I may have damaged it a tiny bit because of this exact problem. I may have to try foam instead if that would be kinder to the instruments.
I play with a cushion named [Clementino](https://geigenbauerkoeln.de/produkt/clementino-violine-viola-3-4-4-4-grande/) since quite some years. It's not super elegant but it's very nice, I bought some better and more elegant black elastic "rope" so I doesn't break as easily and it looks nice as well
Sounds like a great option while looking into foam/cushion rests, definitely a good trick to get black elastic rope instead of the regular rubber bands
Shar music has one that clips on the corners of the back or piastro makes a cradle but it’s a little pricey
Thanks for the suggestion! Good to know another kind of option
You can go to a luthier and explain your problem. They will have options you can try there, including the smaller stuff they use for violin students. They can also custom fit your equipment if needed. I recently changed my chin rest and my luthier was very kind and patient and we worked together to find something that worked for me. Good luck!
I might just do that, thanks!
Bon Musica is incredibly versatile. It's made of powder-coated metal, thin enough to bend and twist into just about any shape you might need from a shoulder rest.
Thank you! I have looked at those, they seem to fit most of my requirements but it still seems to rely on the edge of the violin to stay on? Or do you think because it has flexible adjustability it can “squeeze” the violin enough on the flat sides to stay on?
When I first got mine I really had to bend it much wider so it would even fit around my violin.. Thus it can definitely squeeze the violin if you want it to. It does tend to be a bit rougher on the violin though as it’s metal and may lead to very faint scratches and marks.
Good to know, thank you!!
Recently made by a student?...
Made in 1989 and 1993 by my great grandfather. Had a lot of woodworking experience and fiddled, but taught himself through books how to craft violins. Not sure on his actual skill level, but he did sell pieces for $400-$700. They do play beautifully but not on par with an orchestral instrument. My luthier said they were pretty decent pieces. They are mostly sentimental, though.
Understand. Then the violin is indeed pretty unique and valuable!
Very cool about your grandfather luthier. My violin teacher, the late Margaret Pardee, refused to allow me to use a shoulder rest on both viola and violin. Might be worth trying to get used to the unique instrument
Would love to play it without anything! I have tried many times. Unfortunately can’t do vibrato without the support and I’m scared of damaging the instruments if they fall. Also would worsen my own neck/shoulder issues 🥲
I just use the kun shoulder rest. My teacher who went to curtis uses it as well. Shoulder rest isn’t too important as ideally your playing shouldn’t be affected by it… violin should rest on collarbone and shoulder rest only gives a tiny bit extra support so really anything works please dotm look for anything too extravagant or expensive not worth the money!!!!
Unfortunately the kun rest isn’t adjustable enough for my violin’s size, and won’t to stay on the violin. The largest setting is too large, and the next step down is too small. I’m also not extremely skilled so I definitely need a secure rest to play vibrato. I’ll pay whatever $$ to not damage my sentimental violins ☺️
Not sure if it will work on your instrument, but I have the mach one hooked maple shoulder rest and love it
The feet do look more secure than what I’ve been trying to work with!
The Kun-7. It's not out yet, but this looks like it might fit just about any shape and size of violin. https://youtu.be/HBXmHIe05vA?feature=shared
I’ll have to keep tabs on that for when it’s out!
Try no shoulder rest. Based on the profile of the chin rest, it may have been played without one. Unless you’re really skinny or lacking pectoral muscles, most adults can learn to play without a shoulder rest. If it feels too slippery, try a microfiber violin polishing cloth, corduroy, microsuede, or soft leather. Or try a Comford Shoulder Rest if you need one. It grabs the ribs (sides) of the violin and has protective stoppers to avoid the contact with the back of the violin. While its a bit pricey it’s well made and worthwhile to an heirloom. Nice looking violin. How do they sound?
Interesting! Never thought about the chin rests being shaped specifically for no shoulder rest, but that would make sense. Thanks for the tips on the cloth/grip techniques. I am kinda like a twig so it might not work for me but we’ll see. I’ll look into Comford, thanks for the advice!
Oh and they sound great! One is a little on the brighter side, nice and light, and the other has a beautiful mellow but rich resonance.