How
to Choose A Shoulder Rest
Shoulder
Rests 101
Choosing the correct shoulder rest is a more complex
decision than you would think. There are many options
available to players today, and thank goodness! The most
important advice we at Shar can offer on choosing a
shoulder rest is that you need to find something that
will fit your body appropriately. Because every player's
body and style of playing is different, we recommend
trying a few shoulder rest to see what works for you. To
help out with your selection, we gathered a few SHAR
staff, all with completely different set-ups, and here's
some of what we found:
Chinrests and Shoulder Rests... What's the
Difference?
A chinrest sits under your chin, and is often
contoured to give you a good grip on the instrument from
the top while playing. A shoulder rest is used to make
up the space between your collarbone/shoulder and the
back of the instrument in order to stabilize and support
the instrument. They are both dependent on each other,
so you should never discount the importance of matching
up the correct chinrest and shoulder rest for your
particular needs.
Shoulder Rest Height... What's right for me?
Generally, if you have a longer neck, you will want
something a bit taller, like a Bon Musica, a high
Resonans or a Wolf that is very adjustable. For those
who are looking for something a bit lower, something
like a Maestro, the K-Rest or the Featherweight might be
more appropriate. Kun rests have always been popular
because they are so highly adjustable, and generally are
a good "fit" for most players. Finding the
right height is very important for any player,
especially since so many players are affected by
injuries at some point in their careers.
How does a shoulder rest affect sound?
Certainly everything that comes in to contact with
your instrument like a shoulder rest will affect the
sound that comes out of it, and there are many differing
opinions on this matter because sound is very
subjective. Generally speaking, a shoulder rest that
rests flush against the back of the instrument, like the
Playonair or a sponge can result in a change or muting
of the tone (which some people really like!), while
something more like a bar with only a few touch points
on the instrument will allow the instrument to resonate
more underneath your chin. Shoulder rests like the Kun
Bravo or the Mach One with maple are both constructed
with wood and will generally resonate more as a result.
The Comford Shoulder Cradle comes in three different
materials based on the tone that you are trying to bring
out in your instrument.
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Magic
Touch Shoulder Rest
Made
from Neoprene and foam, comes with rubber bands and
doe suede pouch.
Priced
at $ 10.00 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-3/4 |
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Artino
Shoulder Rest
Adjustable
to fit all violins from 4/4 to 1/8 size! Foam
padded ergonomic plastic frame.
Priced
at $ 12.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-1/8 |
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Bon
Musica Shoulder Rest
Completely
adjustable! Allows players to easily form the metal
arch to fit their shoulder precisely.
Priced
from $ 39.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4, 3/4,
1/2 & 1/4 |
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Comford
Shoulder Cradle System
Ergonomically
designed to reduce strain.
Priced
from $ 13.49 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4, 3/4,
1/2 & 1/4
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Cosmetic
Sponges
Used
by teachers for years, these simple yet effective
sponges provide just enough padding!
Priced
at $ 1.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-1/16
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Crescent
Shoulder Rest
Firm
cushion shoulder rest - attaches to end button with
sliding strap.
Priced
from $ 5.49 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-1/16
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Featherweight
Shoulder Rest
Corduroy,
padded bar slides on strap, allowing for varying
positions.
Priced
from $ 11.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-1/2
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Fiddle
Friends
Shoulder Pad
Extremely
soft, yet durable critters, made from chamois leather
and natural rubbers.
Priced
at $ 19.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-1/16
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Kinder
Chinder Shoulder Pad/Chinrest
Cushion
Shoulder
pad/chinrest cushion combination - may be used with or
without a separate chinrest.
Priced
from $ 14.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-1/16
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Kun
Shoulder Rests
All
Kun models have ergonomically contoured, foam padded
bars for comfort and support.
Priced
from $ 21.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-1/16
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Mach
One Shoulder Rest
High
shoulder rest features an ergonomic design that fits
naturally on your shoulder.
Priced
from $ 13.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2
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Maestro
Shoulder Rest
A
new version of the classic Menuhin-style design, in
two sizes. Lightweight and comfortable!
Priced
at $ 6.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4-3/4,
1/2-1/4
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Perfect
Shoulder Rest
At
last, a high quality, inexpensive foam shoulder rest!
The unique curved design of this rest allows it to fit
most sizes of instruments.
Priced
at $ 6.95 |
Available
Sizes:
one size fits
1/2 - 4/4 violin
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Playonair
Shoulder Rests
Most
comfortable shoulder rests available, made of a
non-slip suede material that is soft and pliable
allowing player to hold instrument securely and
comfortably.
Priced
from $ 16.49 |
Available
Sizes:
4/4-1/16
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Resonans
Shoulder Rests
Attractively
priced rests - lightly-foamed bar provides
comfortable, rigid support.
Priced
from $ 7.69 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4, 3/4
1/2, 1/4
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Sostenuto
Shoulder Rest
A
unique approach, the Sostenuto offers a distinct
advantage over many other shoulder rests.
Designed to hold the instrument on the collarbone,
allowing freedom of movement.
Priced
from $ 16.99 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4
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Super
Sensitive Shoulder Rest
3" x 6" shoulder pad. Slips easily
into place with attached elastic straps. Chose
from thin or thick.
Priced
from $ 7.49 |
Available
Sizes:
4/4
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Wolf
Shoulder Rests
Rubber
padded bar. Height and pitch adjustable with screw-on
swiveling legs.
Priced
from $ 27.50 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4 & 3/4,
1/4 & 1/2
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Zaret
Shoulder Rests
Contoured
sponge pad easily attaches with rubber band.
Priced
from $ 4.29 |
Available
Sizes: 4/4, 3/4
1/2, 1/4
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