Do you need a soft and rigid shoulder rest for violin instruments

105 6
There is much debate amongst the musical community about which type of violin shoulder rest is the most useful. In fact, there is a large number of violinists who debate the use of such rests at all. This article is going to discuss the difference between rigid and soft violin shoulder rests, in attempt to help the reader make an informed choice.

Contrary to popular belief, violin shoulder rests have not been around for many years. Although the violin achieved widespread notoriety during the 16th century, violin rests weren’t introduced until the middle of the 1900s. Obviously the fact that so many great violinists never used such musical accessories before has prompted many musicians to debate the usefulness of violin rests.

There are two types of violin shoulder rests, soft and rigid. Rigid shoulder rests were the first line introduced by the Kun family in the 1900s. Many players prefer using rigid rests because they are sturdier and actually lock the player into a particular position, ensuring they adopt the most suitable body position for performing. Rigid shoulder rests also do not affect the sound of the violin in the same way many soft versions do.

Soft shoulder rests for violin [http://myinternetarticles.com/violin-shoulder-rest/] are much more versatile than their rigid contemporaries. These come in the form of bladders made out of soft materials such as sponges and foam. Unlike rigid rests, soft violin rests can be adjusted to suit any player’s body type by altering the amount of air within the foam bladder. Most violinists agree that soft rests are the most comfortable option; however these have been known to affect the sound being produced by the violin. Many musicians claim that the bladder actually dampens the notes because the foam material is pressed against the back of the instrument.Do bear in mind that you will need to purchase the right size violin case [http://myinternetarticles.com/violin-case/] if you want to store the shoulder rest with your instrument.

As with most things in music, the type of violin rest you purchase is going to be a personal choice. Many musicians still refuse to use violin shoulder rests and there is nothing wrong with that. At the end of the day, a violin shoulder rest will only provide you with a more comfortable playing experience. Over 90% of the greatest violinists that ever lived never even saw one of these rests in their lifetime, so it isn’t a make or break decision.

Source...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.