Playing the Violin without a shoulder rest

Playing the Violin without a shoulder rest
edited to add:
the large arch in my left hand away from the violin in the higher position may be a bit exaggerated because I was trying to demonstrate. My palm is usually closer to the fingerboard or violin, and I'll try to demonstrate that in another video (I hope), but my point remains the same, you can really assume any position you want and get good sound if you do it 'right'.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Violin
• Shoulder
• rest
• Playing
• the
• violin
• without
• shoulder
• Instruction
• on
• playing

[Mrclarkbars]

When I was a kid in the 60's violins were held this way. I have second thoughts for best sound production. It was without a shoulder rest the violin plates are free to vibrate more, but this video shows the shoulder is touching the back of the violin, muting the sound with the extra contact with the body. So where is the middle ground where with out turning the violin so far and clamping down on it. Or is the shoulder rest the answer with less contact on the instrument.

[Violinistik]

@Mrclarkbars You make a good point about the shoulder and it's potential to muffle sound. Usually, while I'm actively playing, the shoulder drops down and it's the jaw and collarbone that makes the contact. If I'm palying heavily on the g string e.g. with slides, I incorporate more shoulder, it seems inevitable, but here, it's more the end of the humerus rather than like 'full shoulder'. I'll try to post my playing a Kreutzer to demonstrate this in the future and thank you for your comment.

[joparkeruk]

you are 'blessed' that you can rest your violin on your shoulder and it 'stays' there with minimal contact from your chin. I have to hold my violin with my hand or it will fly to the floor LOL as I have a gap of half an inch because of slightly sloping shoulders. I can play perfectly well with no rest and no sponge, but I HAVE to use my index finger and thumb to support my violin at all times, there is NO WAY I can let go of with my thumb as you do, my violin would drop to the floor!