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RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 01/30/2021: 15:06:24
I own a pocket fiddle (pochette, kit fiddle) that I bought from Lark in the Morning quite a few years ago. They still sell something similar, see larkinthemorning.com/products/...725635168
They call it something of a cross between a violin and a rebec, and that's actually how I think of it myself.
I really only use it sometimes for travel. One thing I don't like about it, though, is it's hard to hold without a shoulder rest. So I think I'm going to buy a miniature shoulder rest for a small child's violin. The smallest made by Kun is the Kun Mini, so that's going to be my default. Even then I may have to modify the shoulder rest.
I realize most people won't have experience with small shoulder rests, but I thought I'd ask. Does anyone have a suggestion for a small shoulder rest besides the Kun Mini?
The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 01/30/2021: 19:01:06
I think the pochette was typically played more on the shoulder or arm than under the chin. That’s part of why the body could be so small without it being hard to play. That kind of position relied on the left hand to hold the instrument, and the body was more of a place to anchor it. That would make it much easier to use in a dance, as these small instruments were often used by dancing masters.
RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 01/31/2021: 07:33:10
Thanks for the comments. I actually do play this some on the arm and similar positions. The small size basically forces you to try other positions to find something that works. It does limit mobility, though. It's difficult to play my normal repertoire on this, so when I travel with it I'll take for example Deborah Greenblatt's Renaissance Fiddler's Tune Book. And I'll play simpler Old Time tunes.
My understanding is that pochettes were used by dancing masters when they gave private lessons in people's homes. So I suspect even the dancing masters did not play their full repertoire on them.
Anyway, I still want to rig up a small shoulder rest as an experiment.
The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 01/31/2021: 08:59:01
quote:
Originally posted by RinconMtnErnie
My understanding is that pochettes were used by dancing masters when they gave private lessons in people's homes. So I suspect even the dancing masters did not play their full repertoire on them.
Anyway, I still want to rig up a small shoulder rest as an experiment.
Pochettes were used regularly in dances. They were especially desirable for playing in that setting because they were easier to play in crowded spaces and tended to put out a lot more volume than you might expect. They were also so easy to carry in the large pockets of the time, so there would be much more reason to use them outside the home. Niel Gow carried one whenever he went out, and they were popular with street performers. It's a common misconception that they were used by children because they were small.
As to finding a shoulder rest, I know there are models that are designed to be adjustable for many sizes, so that might be a place to start. Also, have you considered something like an Acoustagrip? That wouldn't clamp the instrument, but it would help it stay in place.
acoustagrip.com/
Edited by - The Violin Beautiful on 01/31/2021 09:04:49
RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 01/31/2021: 11:46:20
A foam shoulder rest is a good suggestion! I have thought about doing that in the past, but it didn't occur to me this time. I would probably try to attach it with a larger strip of hook-and-loop fastener (velcro), gluing the "loop" to the fiddle and the "hook" to the shoulder rest. Maybe I'd use a thin piece of wood to have something better to glue to.
I'm attaching a picture of mine that I posted several years ago. It differs from the one sold now in that it doesn't have a scroll and, more significantly, the tailpiece is attached to the top with screws instead of an end pin with a tailgut.
I also have a Wiplstix fiddle that I use for some overseas and airplane trips. (Remember those?) For that I use a natural sea sponge with a big hole cut in it as a chin rest. I chose a natural sponge for aesthetical reasons. It works pretty well.
RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 01/31/2021: 15:59:16
I did not notice that the AcoustaGrip adheres temporarily. So maybe that would work by itself, but the surface area will be small.
ChinnRest - Posted - 02/01/2021: 18:58:36
Ernie, I built a box fiddle last fall. I use a Kun mini with it. I just pulled it out and configured it as small as it will go. Narrowest is 3 3/8”.
RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 02/01/2021: 19:06:37
quote:
Originally posted by ChinnRest
Ernie, I built a box fiddle last fall. I use a Kun mini with it. I just pulled it out and configured it as small as it will go. Narrowest is 3 3/8”.
That's very helpful, thank you!
RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 03/07/2021: 20:00:05
I did end up buying a Kun Mini. Even at its smallest it's too wide. Now, I have read about getting a second adjustable "end member" to narrow the width even more. In this case, though, I don't think that would work either.
I normally play this tucked under my chin. I tried playing it on the arm and other positions, but it wants to roll. Even more problematic, my left hand doesn't sit very well. I can hardly finger the G string.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
