I am under the impression that your chin should go there, but everyone in the vids seems to use the back of their jaw. Is it a taught thing, since I never took formal lessons. Does it matter? ie, improves sound or your hearing the sound to use the back of your jaw?Maybe the neck isnt strained, I dont feel mine is though. Just curious. No I didnt search the site for previous related posts cause its too easy just to post a question. Peace, Love, Apple Pie, Jesus. Rob.

I think its a matter of whats comfortable to you. Ive noticed those that use the rests centered over the tail piece tend to use their chins vs the ones off to the side use their jaw. Also Ive noticed players of the classical variety tend to lay their heads more to the side where as most fiddlers remain upright. Again I think its what works for you.

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Originally posted by Barry1963

I think its a matter of whats comfortable to you. Ive noticed those that use the rests centered over the tail piece tend to use their chins vs the ones off to the side use their jaw. Also Ive noticed players of the classical variety tend to lay their heads more to the side where as most fiddlers remain upright. Again I think its what works for you.

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 Hey, I used to live in Brentwood years ago. I miss Nashville, just not the icy winters. I have what I can assume is a basic no frills chin rest and was wondering if when I replace everything else should I look into a "better" one, but what constitutes better?

I love Nashville, been here near 20 years. As for chin rests I have an assortment Ive collected as I tried different types. I settled on a bakelite that i like. I also have a raised one that can be mounted either center or side that isnt too bad.

Just curious , are you the same picklefish on fiddlerman ?

I think a person gets better results by going to a fiddle shop with lots of different styles of chin rests and shoulder rests.  Then, have a qualified person check your anatomy, and try different combinations of chin/shoulder rests.  Often, the shoulder rests have to be modified.  Different chin rests will be located in different places on the violin.  The size and depth of the "cup" in the chinrests can vary. 

Several weeks ago, I did what I recommended here.  I also got a few subtle pointers on using these items.  I was never 100% satisifed with my chin and shoulder rest.  I ended up with a different style chin rest, a modified shoulder rest, and now I am about as satisfied as I will probably ever get.

If you have shoulder rest problems, check the "reddesertviolin" website.  It explains how velcro can be used to help reduce shoulder rest problems.  I think it is a clever idea.  Some people's anatomy can create a problem when holding a violin.

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Originally posted by Barry1963

I love Nashville, been here near 20 years. As for chin rests I have an assortment Ive collected as I tried different types. I settled on a bakelite that i like. I also have a raised one that can be mounted either center or side that isnt too bad.

Just curious , are you the same picklefish on fiddlerman ?

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 Yes I am, I assumed you were the same also.

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Originally posted by Dick Hauser

I think a person gets better results by going to a fiddle shop with lots of different styles of chin rests and shoulder rests.  Then, have a qualified person check your anatomy, and try different combinations of chin/shoulder rests.  Often, the shoulder rests have to be modified.  Different chin rests will be located in different places on the violin.  The size and depth of the "cup" in the chinrests can vary. 

Several weeks ago, I did what I recommended here.  I also got a few subtle pointers on using these items.  I was never 100% satisifed with my chin and shoulder rest.  I ended up with a different style chin rest, a modified shoulder rest, and now I am about as satisfied as I will probably ever get.

If you have shoulder rest problems, check the "reddesertviolin" website.  It explains how velcro can be used to help reduce shoulder rest problems.  I think it is a clever idea.  Some people's anatomy can create a problem when holding a violin.

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 I have a kuhn adjustable shoulder rest that fits me perfectly, albeit all the way adjusted up. And I am comfortable with my chin in my chin rest. The pic I use is the fiddle I use so you can see what I am dealing with. As soon as I have the extra cash I am planning on upgrading my entire setup, but only if it improves the instrument, playability, tone etc. Im sure its been at least 20 years since any part of it has been replaced. I am excited about making it better.

Pretty common among classical players to have the side of the jaw on the "chinrest". I can't think of anybody who puts the chin right into a chinrest, even the center-mount styles, but probably there's someone out there. No idea why they weren't named "jaw rests".

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Originally posted by p1cklef1sh

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Originally posted by Barry1963

I love Nashville, been here near 20 years. As for chin rests I have an assortment Ive collected as I tried different types. I settled on a bakelite that i like. I also have a raised one that can be mounted either center or side that isnt too bad.

Just curious , are you the same picklefish on fiddlerman ?

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 Yes I am, I assumed you were the same also.

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I was pretty sure which was why I sent the request

I wish a player could go into a violin shop and try an assortment of chin and shoulder rests. When I go to New Jersey, there is a violin shop there that has a couple of choices, but not nearly enough. I guess if you drove to Shar music you could do so. There is a high end violin shop near me in Maine , two actually, that do not have these choices even though they sell instruments and bows costing into the many many thousands.

I took mine off and tossed it. Using a chin rest actually was screwing up my neck and causing problems. Everyone is physically built differently and no one set up  fits every  person, despite what a classically trained violinist will tell you. Tossing the chin rest was the best thing I ever did. My chin fits very nicely against the tail piece with out  it and for me, it was just excess weight and I like my fiddles appearance more with out it.

Edited by - John12865 on 07/03/2012 15:05:58

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Originally posted by Dick Hauser

I think a person gets better results by going to a fiddle shop with lots of different styles of chin rests and shoulder rests.  Then, have a qualified person check your anatomy, and try different combinations of chin/shoulder rests.  Often, the shoulder rests have to be modified.  Different chin rests will be located in different places on the violin.  The size and depth of the "cup" in the chinrests can vary. 

Several weeks ago, I did what I recommended here.  I also got a few subtle pointers on using these items.  I was never 100% satisifed with my chin and shoulder rest.  I ended up with a different style chin rest, a modified shoulder rest, and now I am about as satisfied as I will probably ever get.

 

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I'll second that advice!  I did that several years ago.  (Well, minus the shoulder-rest part of the equation.)  When I first changed to a center-mount rest, I took care of it myself, and thought what I got was okay.  But when I got an extra fiddle, I bought & installed & was unhappy with several different chinrests.  So when I took it for a luthier visit I mentioned my chinrest difficulties.  As I recall, he slipped a few different ones on & off, whilst checking out how I hold the fiddle, and also taking into account the fiddle itself.  He eventually suggested one I never would have considered, but which of course turned out to be the best. 

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Originally posted by Mandogryl

I wish a player could go into a violin shop and try an assortment of chin and shoulder rests. When I go to New Jersey, there is a violin shop there that has a couple of choices, but not nearly enough. I guess if you drove to Shar music you could do so. There is a high end violin shop near me in Maine , two actually, that do not have these choices even though they sell instruments and bows costing into the many many thousands.

 

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How far up in Maine are you?  If you ever get to Nottingham NH (near Dover, which is near the NH coast), you could visit Jim Robinson.  If you contact him ahead of time & tell him you're unhappy with your chin & shoulder rests, I'm sure he would help you find the right ones.

Edited by - fiddlejen on 07/03/2012 17:23:21

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Originally posted by Sue B.

Pretty common among classical players to have the side of the jaw on the "chinrest". I can't think of anybody who puts the chin right into a chinrest, even the center-mount styles, but probably there's someone out there. No idea why they weren't named "jaw rests".

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 My point exactly. Ive always taken the literal approach so when I started learnin myself I assumed chin rest meant chin. I guess its a stylistic thing, posistion of comfort thing and a whatever works for you thing all rolled up.