How to Put a Shoulder Rest on a Violin (and Adjust It So It Sits Right)

To put a shoulder rest on a violin, hold the violin or lay it on a folded towel with the back facing up, hook the rest's two feet over the edges of the lower body until they grip, then fine-tune the height and angle with the violin in playing position. Attaching takes a minute. The fitting is what makes the difference, so this guide covers both, along with what a shoulder rest does, how to match one to your violin size and the mistakes that are easy to avoid.

What a shoulder rest does and whether you need one

A shoulder rest is a curved bar with a pad that attaches to the back of the violin. It fills the gap between the instrument and your collarbone and shoulder, so the violin has something to sit on while your chin and hands do other work. Whether you need one depends on your neck, shoulders and build, and players and teachers differ on it: some use a rest, some use a folded cloth or a sponge, and some use nothing. If you are learning, ask your teacher what suits you before you buy anything.

Match the rest to the violin size

Rests are made for particular violin sizes. A rest sized for a 4/4 (full-size) or 3/4 violin will not necessarily suit a smaller violin or a viola, and a rest of the wrong size either will not grip or will sit in the wrong place. Check the size range on the packaging or listing, and if you are not sure what size your violin is, ask your teacher or a violin shop.

Step by step: attaching the rest

1. Hold the violin with the back facing you, or lay it on a folded towel with the back facing up. Press only gently while you attach the rest, so the bridge and the top plate do not take much force.
2. Check that the rest, its feet and the back of the violin are clean. A speck of rosin dust or grit under a foot can mark the varnish.
3. Turn the rest so the pad faces away from the violin. Hook one foot over the edge of the lower part of the body on each side, so the rest sits across the back near the tailpiece end of the instrument.
4. Press gently until both feet grip the edge. The rest should hold itself on the violin without being forced, and it should not twist the body.
5. Turn the violin over and check that the feet sit square on the edge and that the pad is facing your shoulder side.

Adjust the height and angle

Now put the violin into playing position: rest it on your collarbone, let your head settle on the chin rest and keep your shoulders relaxed. The violin should stay up with little effort, your head should be upright rather than craned, and the instrument should sit level enough for the bow to meet the strings comfortably. If you have to lift your shoulder or push your head down to hold the violin, change the rest.

The feet adjust the height of each end of the bar, which also changes the angle of the violin. A taller setting generally suits a longer neck, and a lower one a shorter neck. Change one foot by a small step at a time, return to playing position and play a few notes before you change anything else. If you feel pain or strain, stop and ask your teacher. Comfort matters more than any measurement.

Common mistakes

• Wrong size. Check the size range printed on the rest before you buy it.
• Too tight. The feet should grip, not squeeze. If the rest leaves a mark on the finish or the body looks pinched, loosen it.
• Leaving it on in the case. Take the rest off before you close the case so it does not press on the instrument or the lid, unless your case is made to hold the violin with the rest on.
• Dirty contact points. Wipe the pad and feet with a dry cloth and check the foot tips from time to time.
• Changing everything at once. Make one small adjustment, then test it.

When to see a luthier

A rest that wobbles, slips off or will not grip even though it is the right size, a rest that seems to make the violin buzz, or a mark or lifting seam near the edge of the body are all worth showing to a luthier, the person who builds and repairs violins. A teacher can also check your set-up in a few minutes and is often the quickest way to find the right height.

If you are shopping for one, the black adjustable shoulder rest for 3/4 and 4/4 violins follows the layout described here: a curved bar with a foam pad and two feet that adjust for height and angle. It is listed for 3/4 and 4/4 violins only, not for smaller sizes or violas. You can find more instrument and hobby items in our Games & Hobby collection.