A chinrest is a violin attachment that is commonly made up of a wood or a plastic. This equipment ensures that the chin and jaw of a violinist is positioned properly. The best kind of wood that suits a chinrest is ebony and rosewood. But some modern ones are made up of plastic. Due to the advantage it gives, it is already considered as a typical part of the instrument.

Depending on what your playing position is, the chinrest will provide you that needed stability for a better performance. In finding a chinrest that perfectly fits you, it often needs a trial and error like procedure. But having the knowledge about the differences between the various types of violin chinrest styles can lower down the time and effort you might need to consume. In this article, we will know more about it.

Since there are various types of rests, it is a good idea to select one that you think suits your jaws perfectly well. Generally, selecting is contingent upon the length of your arms as well as your overall comfort. Improper selection can greatly affect the performance due to the constraints it may provide.

We cannot deny the fact that young players have shorter arms compared to adults. This means that they will have a little bit of trouble playing the instrument. To address this issue, it is better to choose an across the tailpiece type of chinrest. This will give the needed nearness to play the violin with ease.

Some people tend to have bonier jaws. If this is the case, it is better if you select a rest that is well curved. In the contrary, if you have full figured jaws, you might need a lengthier and a not so elevated ridge. It is essential that you select that perfect curvature depending on your jaw structure to prevent complications and injuries in the long run especially if you are playing in a longer period of time.

Keep in mind that if a rest does not properly fits you, it can create skin sores and strains in your muscles. Having a device that will help you hold the violin hands free is a very important thing specially if you are performing in a longer duration. It also prevents you from developing fiddlers neck.

This kind of condition is common in people who use a violin in an extended period. You can determine that, if you can see a reddish and inflated sore on the neck of a person where the instrument is usually placed. This is caused by the too much friction and extreme pressure.

Although there are some other factors you need to consider, it is by far the most important ones that you need to know. If you are a person with sensitive skin, then choosing a rest that is hypoallergenic metal should be your primary choice. Alternatively, you can also use plastic hardware.

Overall, comfortability should always be your primary concern. Even though it is not that expensive but still you are comfortable, then go for it. If you are still unsure of what chinrests to choose, you might need to seek for professional help.