Ask Rhiannon Series: Chin Rest and Collarbone Discomfort

(Download Bon Musica Instructions as a PDF)

Stankov violin chin rest and endpinQuestion

I just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying my new violin; however, I find the chin rest being installed directly over the button very uncomfortable on my clavicle. The chin rest itself is fine.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I could fix this? Am I going to have to replace the chin rest to one that installs more off-centre?

 

Answer from Rhiannon

I am sorry to hear you are having discomfort on your clavicle/collarbone.

For starters, the "Guarneri chin rest" with the centre attachment really is best for the violin’s “health" as it mounts over a strong, maple interior structure block and not over just the thin rib and plates. Ideally we can make this one work so you don’t have to switch to another style.
 
You can technically relocate this chin rest so it is further to the left and no longer straddles the tailpiece, but it will create an awkward angle for the cup of the rest. In this case you would likely need to purchase a different kind of chin rest. So let's try to make this one work.
 
I know how it feels as I am very flexible (I had a rare condition that makes me unusually hypermobile) and have a pronounced collarbone too and I have tried a combination of things to protect myself from discomfort and pain.
 
Something you can do to help would be to attach a piece of padding along the endpin and just under the violin as protection. Or you can use a shoulder rest that is angled so it intercepts that part of the violin before it touches your body. At one point I sewed some satin cloth with a bit of foam padding under it to my chin rest. The fabric had a long "apron" of sorts handing over the end pin and with enough to spare to protect my collarbone. Every few weeks I would remove it and wash it to keep it hygenic.
 
You can also try attaching a thin foam sponge (a new kitchen sponge would do the trick nicely) on the bottom back of the violin with a couple looped elastics. (Going around the chin rest with one band, and the one looped through that one connects to the opposite point at the rib.)
 
That said, I use a Deluxe (velcro attachment Strad Pad on my Guarneri style chin rest with my Bon Musica Shoulder Rest (altered to include the HKG50 long claw section on both ends to accommodate my very long neck. It works like a charm for me! I sell both these items here and here.