Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Make The Right Choice Between Different Violin Chinrest Styles

By Essie Osborn


Chinrests are used to free the left hand without exposing you to the risk of dropping your instrument. Finding the right style enhances your technical ability by eliminating physical barriers. Many players may not be aware of the importance of getting this aspect right. They probably got theirs with the instrument and never gave it a second thought.

Choice of the most suitable among the many violin chinrest styles enhances the posture of players. Supporting the instrument enables players to search for balance between the collarbone and the left hand. Focus thus shifts to technical skills that enhance the performance of a player.

There are natural signs that a chin rest is not properly fitted. Prolonged use will result in pains and aches which eventually lead to clenching issues. Part of your instrument lies on a single area of the neck, causing undue pressure.

Signs such as discomfort while playing are an indication that something is wrong with the chin rest. The head may tilt left and right as you attempt to maintain a comfortable playing position. This causes players to adapt unnatural positions that affect their style of play. Bypassing a crucial issue like positioning makes the player unprofessional and thus unable to achieve his full potential.

The stylishness of chin rests may affect the quality of sound produced during play. It alters the technique used by different players depending on positioning. Classical players were not using the cups. Contemporary violinists have adapted the trend to introduce an element of dexterity and flexibility. A player is given easier access to the fingering board.

Chin rests are also used to ensure the durability of violins by preventing individuals with oily skins from causing the varnish to peel off. Each player desires a unique degree of comfort that can only be offered by a particular style. These are the factors that guide a violinist when making a choice.

It takes time to identify the best style for you. Some players would prefer one that is capped on the side because of how they position their violin. Others prefer a centrally placed cap for personal reasons. After using each of these options for a while, a player is able to identify what suits his style of play.

Perfecting the choice of cup leaves the hand free to easily move up and down the fingering board. It does not hurt the neck or the jaws. The musician has an excellent experience during practice or performance. The presence of a slight bump on the neck due to continued use should not be a cause for alarm. It is not painful and neither does it change physical appearance.

The manner in which a chinrest is clipped affects the volume of sound production. It determines the frequency and depth of resonance for the sound produced. Going too deep into the body of any violin affects the vibration of the sound produced. Chin cups are used to adapt to larger or smaller instruments.

Chinrests have been used to add an element of style to violins. They are matched with the color or pattern. Fancy designs affect appearance which should not be allowed to overshadow sound quality. It is upon the player to find a perfect balance between these aspects.




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