There are a lot of different violin chinrest styles out there. The majority of them fit into two main categories, though. There are the chin rests that go past the tailpiece to be mounted under the button, and there are the chin rests that are mounted on the side but don't extend past the tailpiece.

These chin rests exist in a lot of different sizes, shapes and materials. They can be called Guarneri, Hill, Strad, Flesch, Wittner, Tekka or Dresdren. Some even have lips that can fit the jaw shape of the violinist, while others seem to have an appearance that is more flat.

It is hard to decide which model would be the best one for you to get, though. This is because everybody is different. While one violinist might find a certain chinrest exceedingly comfortable, another one might not like its fit at all. So, the minute you realize that you aren't comfortable with your violin's chinrest, make it a point to visit an instrument store nearby and try out different ones. This would be a much better idea than asking other violinists which ones to get and following their advice.

If possible, you should try and look for a shop that has a lot of different models available. This way, you can try out all sorts of models and figure out which one suits you best. If you need help in the matter, then just ask the store personnel to evaluate their fit with your chin.

Whenever people try out a lot of chin rests yet still feel uncomfortable with them, they tend to find it helpful to add an extra layer of padding between their skin and that of the rest. The Strad-Pad, for example, is one of these protective layers and has a cushion known as a gel rest. This gel rest can be found all over the World Wide Web nowadays.

This particular gel rest can actually found in all sorts of shapes, too. However, its most distinguishing feature would be the fact that it comes with a cushion that consists of a hypoallergenic non-irritating gel that can be fitted over the rest's wood. The manufacturer of this particular gel rest also provides separate gel toppers that can make for double-layered version for people with taller necks.

Other than that, gel rests are also beneficial in various other ways. As mentioned earlier, it consists of a hypoallergenic gel, so it won't irritate the skin in any way. Aside from that, it will never make your chin slip, no matter how much you sweat. It can also help support the neck better whenever you play the violin. Plus, due to the friction that will occur between the body and the cushion during play, the neck won't cramp up in any way, making playing much more comfortable overall.

While it is vital to check out different violin chinrest styles in today's market, it would also be vital to check out their overall fit. It would also be vital to check out the shoulder rest at the same time. After all, the shoulder rest's design will influence the necessary traits in a matching chin rest, thus ensuring that they produce a secure fit in the end.