Attach a manufactured shoulder support
1.
Investigate some of the shoulder support manufacturers such as Kun, Wolf and Viva-SAS. These and rests from other manufacturers can be purchased through your local violin store or online at Sharmusic.com.
2.
Take the violin out of its case and place it upright on your knees as you sit. The front of the instrument should face away from you.
3.
Take shoulder support, make sure your feet are perpendicular to the cushion, not ‘tucked under’ and parallel to it. Note the widest part of the cushion and slide your feet under this area along the lower rear edge of the spring. Start near the chin rest area and slowly pull it up until it is in an acceptable position, at least a few inches from the chin brace area.
4.
Take the other side of the shoulder rest where the narrow part of the cushion is located and slide your feet under this area on the opposite side of the back edge of the violin. Do this until the shoulder support plate is perpendicular to the violin.
5. Place the violin between your chin and the collarbone as if you were playing. Decide how comfortable the shoulder support feels. Make adjustments as needed, being sure to gently move the padded feet along the back edge of the spring. You do not want to damage it by scratching or renaming it.
Make further adjustments to the shoulder rest
1.
Make further adjustments to the shoulder rest if it does not fit well One possibility is to use temporary padding. This can be done simply by using a small towel or soft, thick cloth between the collarbone and the shoulder rest. Alternatively, the garment plate can be placed in the chin rest, rather than under the shoulder rest.
2.
Attach the outer plate permanently to the shoulder support by gluing it there. According to violinist Phillip Pan, use near foam foam cement that can be obtained at a boat or camping store. Cut and shape it with a very sharp knife. Place it on the shoulderrest before gluing to see if it feels comfortable. Make adjustments as needed.
3.
Use contact cement according to Pan, to glue the foam on the shoulder support plate. Paint your new parts the same color as the shoulder support plate with a permanent marker. If the foam is too slippery against the body, use the clean inner tube material or a grippy cloth, which may be less likely to leave marks.
Attach a makeup shoulder cheese
1.
Attach a temporary shoulder support if you are a new student and are unsure if the violin is an instrument you want to play. Also use it if the manufactured rests are uncomfortable for you. Using a standard household cleaning sponge for shoulder supports is a cheap alternative to a factory-built rest, which can start at $ 20.
2.
Find a dry, unused sponge without rough ‘scrubbing’ surfaces. Multipacks of synthetic mushrooms in the dollar store or grocery store will do. Take one of the sponges and place it on the back of the bracket, opposite where the chin rest is attached.
3.
Take a strong rubber band and place it over the sponge, attaching it to the lower corner of the violin. The rubber band should easily extend diagonally across the lower front of the instrument from the lower left corner of the instrument to the lower right curve of the instrument, when viewed from the front perspective.
4.
Place the violin with your sponge shoulder resting between your chin and collar, as if you are going to play. Do not hold the violin with anything other than your chin and necklace. Make adjustments if necessary, including adding an extra sponge so that you are comfortable holding the instrument and playing.
Attaching a shoulder rest to a violin is a fairly simple process. However, you should remember to be careful with the instrument as violets are fragile and can scratch easily. Shoulder support does not require equipment. Famous violin sets, including Itzak Perlman, do not use them. But for those who need them, understanding the type of pillow that best suits your body is most important for attaching a shoulder support properly.
Source:danspela.com