Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Different Violin Chinrest Styles

By Katrina Wheeler


There are various violin chinrest styles in today's market. However, the majority of them can easily fit into just two categories. There are the extended chinrests that can be mounted under the instrument's button and go past the tailpiece, and there are the regular chinrests that can be mounted on the instrument's side and don't go past the tailpiece.

Chinrests can normally be found in all sorts of materials, shapes and sizes. They can also be found with all sorts of names, including Strad, Hill, Guarneri, Wittner, Dresden, Flesch and Tekka. Some of them also have special 'lips', which can fit your jaw shape perfectly if needed. Then there are those that just look flat.

It is hard to decide which model would be the best one for you to get, though. This is because everybody is different. While one violinist might find a certain chinrest exceedingly comfortable, another one might not like its fit at all. So, the minute you realize that you aren't comfortable with your violin's chinrest, make it a point to visit an instrument store nearby and try out different ones. This would be a much better idea than asking other violinists which ones to get and following their advice.

The best stores to visit for this are the ones with a wide range of products available. This way, there won't be a need for you to visit a lot of different stores for the trials. You'll just have to go to one and try all of the available models out there.

If, after trying out a lot of different products, you still can't find one that is comfortable for you, then you might want to add some padding between you and the rest instead. There are products out there that provide protective layers of cushion called gel rests, for instance. These can be found on the Internet and in various traditional stores nowadays.

This particular gel rest can actually found in all sorts of shapes, too. However, its most distinguishing feature would be the fact that it comes with a cushion that consists of a hypoallergenic non-irritating gel that can be fitted over the rest's wood. The manufacturer of this particular gel rest also provides separate gel toppers that can make for double-layered version for people with taller necks.

Other than that, gel rests are also beneficial in various other ways. As mentioned earlier, it consists of a hypoallergenic gel, so it won't irritate the skin in any way. Aside from that, it will never make your chin slip, no matter how much you sweat. It can also help support the neck better whenever you play the violin. Plus, due to the friction that will occur between the body and the cushion during play, the neck won't cramp up in any way, making playing much more comfortable overall.

Aside from violin chinrest styles, don't forget to check out shoulder rest styles, either. In fact, it would be best to check out both of them at the same time in order to find the perfect match and fit for you with ease.




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