Violin and Viola Chinrest Conversations

Lynne Denig, Frisch and Denig Custom-fitted Chinrests, and Katie Bast, violin and viola teacher, talk about how and why chinrest fittings are done.

0:00 Intro
0:13 Frisch & Denig Diagnostic Fitting Kits
1:10 Bast testimonial
5:13 Pain origins
5:47 Paul Rolland and Lynne's pains
7:48 Jaw shape & chinrest choice
8:47 Origins of lifted chinrests
9:29 Hard/rigid shoulder pad use
11:22 History of Frisch & Denig partnership
12:45 Faulty equipment & teacher-student problems
13:37 Taller chinrest? When?
14:28 Why a custom-fitted chinrest?
14:52 Over the tailpiece chinrest
15:21 Instrument placement; how to determine
17:58 Noting fitting details
21:50 Signs a chinrest fits neck height
25:00 Signs a chinrest fits the jaw's shape
28:04 Left hand assisting in instrument support
29:14 Shoulder support of instrument
30:06 Measuring the neck
32:45 Jaw shape vs chinrest shape
36:47 Signs a chinrest is too tall
37:02 Faulty instrument support; forward head
38:14 Signs of too-tall chinrest
38:58 Signs of faulty chinrest shape
40:00 Correct angles of the head/neck/shoulders
41:00 Client feedback during fitting
41:14 Children & chinrest fittings. The Piccolino Kit
42:11 Why measure a child's neck?
42:52 Fortissimo Kit for 3/4 and larger instruments
43:13 Reasons to use both the Crescendo and Fortissimo Kits
43:33 How often should children be fitted?
44:26 Signs a chinrest is too tall/too short
44:47 Changing chinrest shapes?
45:50 What size chinrest to use for children?
47:19 Using shims to shade chinrest height
47:35 Making your own shims
48:46 Using a sponge as a shoulder pad
49:23 Barbara Greenberg, chinrests for children
50:23 Viola and chinrest fittings
51:12 Effects of a too-large instrument
51:45 Over-the-tailpiece chinrests
52:54 Static head positions; problems caused by
53:27 Fittings as part of the lesson
53:58 Credits and Contact Information