#1
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Fiddle Questions.....For Those Who Play
I have my grandpa's fiddle that I've been messing around with over the years, learning to play. It's been professionally set up and is ready to go. When I took lessons on it about 30 years ago, I purchased an inexpensive shoulder and chin rest. I was playing it a bit today and am finding the shoulder rest to be too high. I tried playing w/o a shoulder rest and my neck started aching. I know comfort is what it's about.
So, I did some searching around. Is the Kun collapsible shoulder rest a decent one to try (being that it's adjustable)? Any others that you'd suggest? I'm wondering if even the chin rest is causing some discomfort. Any chin rests that you suggest? I'm a 3 hour drive from Elderly Instruments, and I could take the fiddle there when I get the chance, to have them "fit" me for the proper shoulder and chin rest. Would that be my best bet? Thanks in advance.
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Susie Taylors: 914 • K24ce • 414 • GSMeK+ Pono Guileles: Mango Baritone Deluxe • Mahogany Baritone Have been finger-pickin' guitar since 1973! Love my mountain dulcimers too! (7 Mountain Dulcimers) |
#2
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The Kun is pretty much the de facto standard. Every violinist in North America probably has one or has had one at one point or another. They work fine for most people and are readily available. Very adjustable in terms of height, moderately adjustable side to side, not too concave. A lot of professionals use a pad or cloth in conjunction with the shoulder rest and chin rest. You might try a soft cloth.
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#3
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Thanks.
Another question....... What is the difference between a chin rest that attaches to the side of the tailpiece and a chin rest that attaches over the tailpiece (I think these are called center mount, but not sure)?
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Susie Taylors: 914 • K24ce • 414 • GSMeK+ Pono Guileles: Mango Baritone Deluxe • Mahogany Baritone Have been finger-pickin' guitar since 1973! Love my mountain dulcimers too! (7 Mountain Dulcimers) |
#4
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I've tried lots of different shoulder rests over the years and always return to the Kuhn. When I used to play for several hours a day, I had some pain and switched to a center mount chin rest. It helped me achieve more comfort when playing for extended sessions such as at contradances. More important though is getting the ergonomics of holding the fiddle correctly. My other two fiddles still have the traditional chinrest, and I find it no longer bothers me to play using those chin rests. Chin rests are cheap though and easy to mount so it wouldn't hurt to experiment.
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#5
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Are you using 'classical' hand positions on the neck and to hold the bow and what music do you play on the fiddle? Regards, Ian.
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#6
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I'm playing old time fiddle tunes. I ended up getting a Kun shoulder rest and a new chinrest from Shar Music. I'm all set and happy with what I got. Thanks to all.
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Susie Taylors: 914 • K24ce • 414 • GSMeK+ Pono Guileles: Mango Baritone Deluxe • Mahogany Baritone Have been finger-pickin' guitar since 1973! Love my mountain dulcimers too! (7 Mountain Dulcimers) |
#7
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Violin Chin and Shoulder Rest
Violin is my first instrument, started when I was a kid. I've always liked the Poehland shoulder rest and Dresden style chin rests.
A trip to Elderly's is ALWAYS a good idea! |