How to Lock a Kun Shoulder Rest

A violin with an attached chin rest.

Playing a violin or viola can be a strain on your chin, neck and shoulder without the proper support. Many violins have chin supports, but these are not particularly adjustable. To create a support that can adjust to a player's specific needs and reduce playing strain, violin and bow maker Joseph Kun created the Kun shoulder rest. This rest is adjustable, reduces playing strain and can be locked in position in a few steps.

Things You'll Need

• Kun shoulder rest
• Violin or viola
• Phillips screwdriver

Instructions

1. Remove the screws at both sides of the Kun shoulder rest that hold the "feet" in place. With most models, this may be done by hand. With other models, the screws may be removed with a Phillips screwdriver.

2. Set the desired width for the feet by sliding them in towards the middle or out from the shoulder rest.

3. Insert the screws back into the screwholes once the desired width is set and screw them in place by hand or with a Phillips screwdriver.

4. Set the feet of the shoulder rest on the bottom edge of both sides of a violin or viola near the tailpiece.

5. Adjust the width of the rest's feet so they sit firmly on both sides of the instrument and hold the rest in place.

6. Play the instrument with the rest in its current configuration and make any adjustments to the width or placement of the rest until it feels most comfortable to you.

References

• Kun Shoulder Rest: Products
• Kun Shoulder Rest: Original
• Kun Shoulder Rest: About Kun
• Kun Shoulder Rest: Using Your Kun

Resources

• Kun Shoulder Rest: Home