Violinists, do you use a shoulder rest? Do you know anyone who doesn't?

Question:I don't.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I don't.

I do use a shoulder rest but I am trying to learn to play without one ; it feels so restricting.
It can also cause problems with the neck and shoulder which is ironic ; they were invented to prevent such problems.

But playing without a shoulder rest is difficult when shifting or doing vibrato. The problem is that now very few teachers know how to teach how to play without a shoulder rest.

I have recently bought some centre mounted chinrests which will enable me to get the violin in the right position ; resting high on the collar bone....not sloping down the front of the shoulder. I am hoping that this will help.

Ther are some lengthy and heated discussion on violinist.com about playing without shoulder rests.

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/resp...

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/resp...

Some violinists claim that their violins sound better without a shoulder rest but I think this is an illusion ; you recieve more vibrations through your collar bone when playing without a rest hence it feels and sounds quite different to the player, but the person across the room will not notice any difference.

i dont use one, but i'm last chair in my orchestra so you shouldnt really take my advice. lol

I don't know many people who don't. But a friend of mine who used one before she went to the Sibelius academy returned and now doesn't use one anymore. She says there is a reason....I just don't know what it is!

I use one. I've known two people who didn't use one, and never really had a problem with it. I just think it's painful x_X and doesn't that cause problems for your neck in the future?

Most people I know use a shoulder rest, but some use sponges.
I tried playing without one, and it hurt my neck and it was difficult to vibrato and shift.