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Hi Patti, Here is a link to a youtube video showing how the Bon Musica is adjusted and works. It might help you decide if it is worth trying. There are many good ones but I firmly believe this is the most adjustable one for fit and comfort I have found. Check it out.
Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwO8-4vLaIo
Good luck with your…[Read more]

Thank you Roland & Casey,
I will be interested in knowing which rest Hanneke uses as well. This is an interesting discussion for me as it further shows me how a shoulder rest boils down to an individual preference. However I have never heard of the Bon Musica or Wolfe shoulder rests until yesterday.

I don’t have access to a violin shop, this…[Read more]

Hi, Patti. I think a well-adjusted shoulder rest can definitely help to reduce neck strain. I use a Wolfe Forte Segundo. I’ll check in with Hanneke to see what she uses.

Hi Patti, Roland White Forum Moderator here. Regarding Shoulder Rests for a lot of folks its a work in progress. Most of them are built pretty much the same way so its a matter of being able to try a variety of them to see what works for you. I think Casey likes the Wolfe if I remember correctly, I’m sure he will chime in on this and correct me if…[Read more]

Hi Drew, Glad to hear that changing things up has helped you. Tremolo is used on the plectrum instruments mostly mandolin,and vibrato is used on the violin. It takes a while to develop a good vibrato so study all your favorites and you can check Casey’s suggestions and youtube some basic vibrato lessons to get started. In fiddling its used more on…[Read more]

Thank you for your advice. I have gone out and bought a shoulder rest and have been working to change my technique. Already I can notice that the tone sounds more crisp, as Casey mentioned. I am however finding tremolo nearly impossible, but I am sure that will come once I am more comfortable holding the instrument that way.

Thanks for your…[Read more]

Hi there Forum Readers. Hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner and there are some fun Oregon Workshops coming up to shout out about. First is a Performance and Contest Workshop coming up at the Oregon State Fiddle Contest on March 21 and the Workshop on March 22 both at Chemekata Community in Salem. The Workshop on March 22 is being…[Read more]

Hey Bob & Casey, I don’t know how I missed your post Bob but a very interesting topic. I find myself working on slurs now more than ever, although I have always done them I just tended to do them as specifically ornaments because I play a lot of Celtic tunes. But in Texas tunes and waltz’s I’m now trying to pay attention to how the top players do…[Read more]

One of the top groups in my opinion! making new original music and taking the old tunes to a new level.