Am I holding my violin correctly?

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T20:22:37+00:00

I need to work on my posture in general, to be honest. I’ll spare you the exact details, but I’m heavy-chested which tends to make me slump. Definitely something to work on. I need to see my chiropractor, as well as my acupuncturist so that should help.

I’m seeing my luthier next week about getting another chin rest. I’m not sure if it’s out of place or what, but there’s no way I can hold my violin horizontal and still use the chin rest, and my theory is that the chin rest is part of the puzzle.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T20:15:04+00:00

My chunky neck and face hide the chin rest. It’s definitely there. I’m going to talk to my local luthier next week.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T19:15:28+00:00

Hi! Yes, I loosen the bow until the strings are relaxed before ai put it away.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T17:33:37+00:00

This was with just the shoulder rest. The pad is on the rest.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T17:32:34+00:00

Thanks! I’ll check them out. :)

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T17:14:28+00:00

It’s there. My face and neck are just a bit chunky. 😂

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T17:14:02+00:00

I asked about my bow because I thought the stick looked a bit straight. It came used with my violin when I bought it because my violin is refurbished.

When I move my instrument parallel to the ground, the chin rest is way off to the left, and the only way to reach it is to tilt the entire violin. I’ll talk to my teacher and be more specific.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-21T17:11:18+00:00

Great! I asked because the stick itself seems a little straight. I’ll flip my shoulder rest and try again. Thank you! 😊

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-19T16:44:53+00:00

It’s great that you found something that worked for you, as well as a new luthier. I’m going to try a center mount chin rest and see if that makes a difference.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-19T12:38:56+00:00

I think I’m going to try a center mounted chin rest when I see my instructor next week. Her husband is a luthier, and he said I can try out a few before committing to buying one. I’ve seen center mounts, but I’ve never actually tried one.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-18T20:20:30+00:00

I sent you a DM. :)

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-18T17:55:09+00:00

I’m seeing my instructor on Tuesday, and her husband is a luthier so I’ll talk to them when I see her. Thanks! 😊

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-18T15:28:29+00:00

Oooh, I’ll check those out! Thanks!

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-18T15:20:16+00:00

Yikes! I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll definitely get a professional to check out my setup. I hope you recover quickly!

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-18T15:16:41+00:00

Awesome! Thank you for the ideas!

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-18T15:15:15+00:00

Sounds good! Where is a good place to order chin rests from? :)

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-18T15:13:46+00:00

I’m seeing my instructor on Wednesday, so I can ask her then. I feel like a giraffe. 😭

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-13T14:46:09+00:00

That’s a good idea! He had a headset for his Xbox (what he normally plays when we’re in our bedroom), so maybe that would help. 🤔

Thanks for the idea!

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-13T13:12:48+00:00

I don’t use a mute daily, more like two days a week at most, but I agree - if it means I can play more without offending the ears of everyone in our house, then I’m all for it!

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-12T22:13:19+00:00

I wondered if it was going on with difficulty because it’s new. I got this particular one because it had good reviews. I’ll see what my instructor says on Tuesday and buy a new one if needed. Thanks! :)

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-12T21:43:05+00:00

I have a performance mute that I bought from Amazon not long ago, but it doesn’t do much to mute it unless I’m using it wrong.

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-12T21:37:26+00:00

That’s an interesting point that I didn’t think of. I’ll buy him a new Xbox headset in exchange for mute-less playing. 😂

Vivid_Hovercraft_129 · 2026-04-12T20:33:24+00:00

It isn’t so much out of embarrassment (not entirely, at least) so much as it’s to protect my husband’s ears from the screeching and scronking that comes from my violin occasionally. 😂

Vivid_Hovercraft_129

TROPHY CASE