Why is violin played on the neck?
Tucking the violin (or viola) under the chin gives it stability. That having been said, any violinist I have ever known has a shoulder rest and frequently uses a soft cloth over the chin rest. The cloth serves to absorb perspiration when playing where it is very warm.
Do violin hickeys go away?
Keep the violin hickey clean, and use a cloth to deter from future violin hickeys. Personally, I recommend using a foam pad to cover the chin rest. I had one for a few months, and my violin hickey nearly disappeared, despite playing multiple hours a day.
Do violinists develop neck problems?
Violinists have twice as much risk of developing pain in the neck, right shoulder and left forearm, when compared with pianists. Violists and violinists have a higher incidence of pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow and forearm than pianists.
How do you get rid of a hickey on a violin?
Fortunately, there’s an easy cure: put gel on your chinrest. Each GelRest is made of a special Gel material that has the feel and texture of our own human skin, so it’s no wonder they make your instrument comfortable. It is truly form-fitting, and makes any violin chinrest feel like it’s custom made to fit your chin.
Do violinists get hickeys?
Also known as fiddler’s neck, violin hickeys are red marks that appear on violinists’ necks for a variety of reasons. One of the more common reasons these spots appear is length of practice time, making them a badge of honor for both amateur and professional players.
Do all violins have chin rests?
Some musicians can take any violin, use whatever chin rest is on it, and be perfectly happy. Most violinists and violists, though, need to find the right fit based on their personal anatomy and playing style. Head, neck, and shoulder anatomies vary widely, so when it comes to chin rests, one size does not fit all.
What is Fiddler’s neck?
Fiddler’s neck is a common dermatologic condition associated with instrument use in violin and viola players. It typically manifests as a submandibular and/or supraclavicular lesion. It is a benign condition, but it may be mistaken for lymphedema or a salivary gland malignancy.
Are violin hickeys bad?
A “violin hickey” blemish is seen as a mark of valor by some string players, but it can be the result of health problems. For most, the violin hickey is a mark of pride, a battle scar, a badge of honor won only through hours of practice and performance—a telltale mark that the bearer is a true string player.
Why do violinists wear a cloth?
Many violinists that I know use some sort of cloth over their chinrest in order to improve comfort and absorb perspiration. It most likely also protects the instrument’s varnish from some wear and helps to prevent the instrument suddenly shifting around in performance.
Do violinists have bad posture?
Proper posture is essential for good violin playing. Many violin players, however, struggle with their posture, which can lead to poor technique and cause both short and long term injuries. Not to mention you’ll end up looking like Quasimodo.
Is Fiddler’s neck bad?
Fiddler’s neck is an occupational disease that affects violin and viola players. It is a cutaneous condition usually characterized by redness, thickening, and inflammation on the left side of the neck below the angle of the jaw where the instrument is held….
| Fiddler’s neck | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Occupational health |
Why does my jaw hurt when I play the violin?
Neck and Jaw (TMJ) is Bent to the Left However, it is unavoidable as a violinist to not use the left neck and temporomandibular joint (or jaw) muscles more than the right. A right side bend stretch is one thing a violinist can do to alleviate this left neck and jaw muscle overuse.