How to Play Violin Without a Shoulder Rest

Learn all the basics of how to play the violin without a shoulder rest. These techniques and exercises will help you find an easier way to play the violin with or without shoulder rest. I recommend first trying them out without any contact between your shoulder and the violin, and then once you've tried everything, you will likely find more ease in your playing with or without a pad or shoulder rest. If your collarbone hurts, you can place some padding between the violin and the collarbone. If your arm or thumb becomes tired, take a break.

Using pads or shoulder rests are also great options, but we can learn a lot playing at least a little bit every day without any shoulder pad or shoulder rest. You will improve a lot and see for yourself the benefits.

I played most of my life with a shoulder rest, 6 years with a pad, and now 2 years with no pad. Now I am more comfortable and the sound is better, and so that is why I play without a shoulder rest. There are advantages and disadvantages to playing with or without shoulder rest, so I recommend not blindly believing anyone who is so confident one way is better than the other. You have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and decide what's best for you.

In the future I will make a video on how to shift and vibrate without a shoulder rest, so please subscribe to learn more. There are so many things I learned along the way I wish I knew when I first took off my shoulder rest! I'm here to help, so please ask any questions you have, and feel free to request videos.