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I just wanted to ask how many viola members and guest (sign on and join in on the conversation) use a shoulder rest to play your viola.
I have noticed that I am taking my viola off the rack and playing without a shoulder rest, of late. Isn't that odd?
I do notice that it depends on. what I play, as to whether it is helpful or not. I cannot try vibrato, I am not ready for violamvibrato, anyway. I can do the pieces I have memorized without the shoulder rest.
@Violaman, @wtw, @Ripton, and guests, I am wondering if I should pursue trying to go without a shoulder rest, including areas that give me issue, or if I should stop doing that and use the shoulder rest.
I am not sure if going back and forth is just going to cause more issues. I would like to just forget the shoulder rest. With the violin, the instrument is small, that I cannot hold it without the shoulder rest. It just flies around. The viola, even my 15 1/2" viola, has more bulk and it seems to be enough to keep it in position.
I am not sure how it will be when I attempt to do some shifting. As of yet, I have not done any serious shifting on my viola. For some reason, it seems daunting. I have tried with the shoukder rest and it seemed very awkward. Should I give that a go without a shoulder rest?
I don't know.
Thanks.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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hmmm, I thought I already answered this question. Well here goes (again). Not sure if shoulder rests were a thing or too pricey when I started violin back in the 60s. Never used one until an adult starting all over. On my 15.5 I need a shoulder rest, just haven't found a setup I like (between the shoulder and the chin). On my 15 that I keep at camp I played for quite a while without a rest and now know why folks use a teatowel when they have no rest. I actually like it better without a rest but don't have as much control. Still same issue with my 15.5. I have tried so many rests and combinations of rests I have a whole store room of them in my drawers, almost enough to give fiddlershop some competition. 
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I have a collection, too. But like you, I find I have no control to do anything but simple 1st position, and the C string is harder for me. I should give a towel a try.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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I started without a shoulder rest, for the first 2-3 years maybe. Mostly, I had understood from different websites and forums that it was complicated to find the "right" setup, and didn't want to invest the time and effort (and money). So I spent 3 months learning to hold my viola without a shoulder rest and without support from the left hand, so that it could be free in order to move, shift etc. And it somehow worked.
I started using one after destroying my brand-new viola varnish due to body sweat. Unexpectedly, I had not much trouble finding one that suits me well (Viva la musica Diamond - it's beautiful, too). I bought the same for the violin (violin without a shoulder rest turned out to be impossible for me, it's too thin).
Playing with it is certainly different than without, but I found that it has advantages. I had to adjust my position though : without it, I used to hold my viola almost parallel to the floor, and playing the C string was very difficult (for both hands). Now my viola is more at an angle (in front of my shoulder, rather than standing in equilibrium upon it) which makes it easier to access the C string. It's still difficult to play it of course, but now the difficulty is "just" getting a nice sound.
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Gordon Shumway
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Violaman
