How to Put on the Chin Rest for a Violin
The chin rest is the violin's primary point of support. The music written for the violin in the 19th century included more technical requirements of the left hand and this required supporting the violin more at the base. The chin rest for the violin was invented in 1820 by Louis Spohr. It gradually evolved throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Today violinists are able to choose from a large variety of chin rests. The technique for attaching the chin rest to the violin involves securing it to the violin and then adjusting it to fit your playing style.
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Instructions
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Watch yourself in the mirror while holding the violin in playing position. Pay attention to the relationship between your chin and the violin. You chin should be in the center of the violin. Also pay attention to the angle of your left arm.
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Attach the chin rest to the violin. Place the chin rest in the center at the bottom edge of the violin. Different styles of chin rests are secured to the violin differently. The clamps on some models attach to the tailpiece of the violin while other models attach to the base of the violin. Read the instruction manual and attach the clamps to the appropriate spot.
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Tighten the clamps. Turn the clamps until they are tight enough to secure the chin rest to the violin but not too tight. The clamps may damage the ribs of the violin if they are too tight.
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Adjust the chin rest. Play the violin and inspect the position of the chin rest. Your jaw should rest completely in the cup of the chin rest as you play. If your jaw sits more to the left side than in the center, the chin rest needs to be adjusted. Adjust the position, height, tilt and angle of the chin rest. This may require loosening the chin rest and slightly moving it and then tightening the clamps. Some chin rests have more options for adjustments than others. Consider the degree for making adjustments when buying a chin rest.
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