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I have been trying to learn viola for a few years now. I still do not have a setup that I think is correct. I am not sure what to do about it.
I seem to have to use my left hand to actually hold it and keep it stable, which causes tension. Tension in my arm, hand, and wrist, and in my mind. I spend too much time thinking about it.
I have had instructors. Nine of them would help with this. I was told that it was up to me to figure it out. I have never really been taught the proper way to hild it, I keep reading different opinions, but, it then goes back to my setup, ie chinrest and shoulder rest. I know preferred rest of either kind, are favored by different people, but how do tou decide without spending a bunchnof bucks?
How should the correct setup feel?
Thanks
The Bumble Bee Flies
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I tend to think that being able to hold the instrument without any support from the left hand is important (to have a better freedom of motion, for shifting especially) - just the viola itself, forget the bow altogether. Which doesn't mean that the left hand never can come and help for support while playing.
I'm surprised that your teachers didn't help you on this. So maybe I'm mistaken and it's not that important(*)? Then again, I never tried taking lessons. Just watched a bunch of videos on youtube about how to hold the viola in the beginning. As I didn't want to spend a lot of money on 10 different shoulder rests, I decided I'd do without (… sounds logical doesn't it? but I wouldn't advise anyone to do this). Then got myself one that suits me well a few years later.
Do you find it any easier on the violin, which is smaller/lighter? or do you have the same problems?
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(*) Probably there are tons of music styles (non-classical) for which it's not a problem at all to have the left hand providing some, or much, of the support. Notably if there's little shifting or vibrato involved. Whatever works for you is fine as long as it works, I don't wish to dictate.
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I was very surprised by the fact that neither of the instructors would help out, or just plain address it with some information.
I don't know if it is that I just do not know what the proper set up should feel or look like or what. but, I just seem to have no control. It may be I am afraid to cause neck damage? I have had so many violists/violinist and non-players tell me to be careful I don't hurt my neck, my nerves in my neck, etc. I am very literal and I tend to take this kind of caution to heart.
That said, above about the neck, I am not sure about angle, pushing against the neck - without meaning to, holding it, how much the head should (or neck) should bend, etc. I have read everything I know and most of it is different, depending on which book. Plus, you really need someone who knows and can see. "Not to high" is really based on others' perspectives. Ugh!
Sponges, rests, no rests, how do you tell? All I know is that my set up on my viola and violin are not correct. I get one I like, but when I am actually playing, the movements, etc, it is just not right. Sponges? I think they would make your instrument stick too much in one spot.
My violin is easier in some aspects, but the smaller size does work against me, also. It just does not feel like the set up is correct.
Is the jaw area supposed to be on the chinrest (why is it not called a jaw rest?) when playing and just be there in case you need it, or is the jaw supposed to be on it while you play? I don't watch the videos because it is hard to tell, and people who are really good tend to get a little flashy. Plus, I don't know if what works for the advanced player or professional is what a beginner is to do. Sometimes when people get good at something, they cut corners and do not follow what they are taught, so I take what the advanced and professional are doing whatever they do with a grain of salt. Does that make any sense? I think I may be wrong on that thinking.
I have been doing this for so many years, very very slow progress, and it always goes back to my setup, my hold, etc and those things were never covered, and I have heard too many times about neck injuries from improper setup, I don't know how rare that is, so it is always on my mind. I really think that this being in the back or forefront of my mind is a barrier.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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Don't ask me why it's called a chin rest (except concerning centrally-mounted chinrests, for which it makes sense).
Sure, the jaw is supposed to be on the "jaw rest" most of the time (for me 'most' is close to 100%), the viola being sandwiched between the jaw and clavicle. That's what's holding it in place. It shouldn't be necessary to squeeze though - and it shouldn't hurt, except that your skin at the point of contact chin rest/neck may suffer somewhat after extended periods of playing. Many have some sort of mark there, due to friction (if you want an example, look at Brett's from TwoSet).
As to the multiple possibilities of setup… from what you're saying, you're not starting from scratch! you already know to rule out sponges. You know that you want some freedom of movement, so not something that will hold the instrument too much in one place. Also, some rests are more "customizable" than others as to height etc, so you might want to look at those. Personally I have a "Viva la musica Diamond" and it took me several tries to get it in the way that suits me best. I have no idea if I have the perfect setup (probably not), but it works fine for the amount I play.
(N.B. I have never played around with different chinrests - not even tried a centrally-mounted one.)
I don't think you're risking a neck injury without playing a lot each day. Some sort of pain would show up before any serious issue, wouldn't it? and any pain should be a signal to stop (take a break of appropriate duration, be it a few minutes in a practice session, or several days if it's lasting). Anyway short practice/play sessions should be alright, until you're comfortable for longer ones.
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Thanks, @wtw That was all very helpful and very encouraging.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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The ideal position of the instrument will vary depending on your body shape, and the chinrest and shoulder rest (if using one) should facilitate that.
There's an article on chinrest choice in the American String Teacher journal that describes how you would go about finding that position. It's on the 4th page of the PDF (marked as p. 49), under "The Importance of Posture in the Fitting Process." I understand that it can be done with whatever chinrest is on the instrument, because selecting the setup that works best in that position is really the next step.
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensit.....ST.doc.pdf
The steps are written from a teacher's perspective, because the article is written for teachers, but you should be able to follow the same steps yourself without a teacher.
(Note: the authors are also the owners of Frisch & Denig, the company that I bought my custom-made chinrest from. But the article does not promote their products at all; the study described in it was conducted entirely with off-the-shelf chinrests.)
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Thanks AndrewH and wtw. I will look at the PDF after breakfast. It sounds like it will be really helpful. I would like to be able to use the chinrest I have because I really like it.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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Awesome, thanks.
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I have been reading the info from AndrewH. I have to get out my chin rests and compare them to the ones mentioned and then go from there. They are all in a bag, I have many.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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I should probably spend a little time working on this as well. My 15 fits comfortably but it's a $99 student. My FM Masters is 15.5 and sounds terrific but I'm struggling with it.
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Interesting. Exactly why do you think you struggle with it?
Sometimes, when an instrument is real good, people work harder than they need to with them. They normally resonate more and are easier to play.
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I am now happy with my setup. I have been doing more violin than cello or viola lately, but I am really going to do viola more, now. Been distracted with things to get done around the house lately, so I have had limited time.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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