Neck and jaw pain

[margaret1961]

This chin-to-shoulder position is resulting in stiffness and pain in my neck, shoulder and jaw. Besides trying to relax, are there any techniques or exercises to help correct this?

[CorrinRadd]

Are you using a shoulder rest? If not, you should. I got mine on amazon for less than twenty bucks. They are adjustable, so you should be able to raise or lower it to a point where there’ll be no more pain.

[Richard]

I know your pain. I have gone through half a dozen shoulder rests and four chins rests trying to find the ideal set up. The combination of shoulder rest and/or chinrest is very personal so Amazon is a good place to try out equipment, as CorinnRadd suggested, because you can return stuff with ease. I have found that the Bonmusica shoulder rest works well for me. It was a bit pricey but it can be adjusted every way imaginable.

[jason kleinberg]

There are a lot of reasons why you can have discomfort. Shoulder and neck issues could be posture problems. Do you sit or stand when you play? Is your back straight? Is your weight balanced? Is your violin position pulling your shoulders and neck down? Jaw could be tension or it might just be the equipment you have needs to be adjusted. Do you know another fiddler or violin player who could take a look at your set up? Many music stores have knowledgeable salespeople who are musicians who can be helpful. It is always good to form a relationship with them. If you need to change equipment, buy it from them and begin a relationship with them. Make a friend there. Are you overplaying? Can you take breaks and stretch during playing/practice times? Every twenty minutes or every ten if that doesn’t work. Good luck!

[Lucy]

You could try playing without a shoulder rest too! I find i’m much less tempted to grab my violin with my chin and hunch up into wierd positions if my violin is out of reach of my head. It forces me to do most of the balancing and supporting with my shoulder/chest and hand instead. I was getting insane headaches before but they’ve gone since I took away the shoulder rest ?

[margaret1961]

Thanks for all the encouragement. Being conscious of my posture and taking breaks every ten minutes have helped. Definitely standing and walking around are more relaxing for me than sitting, although mildly annoying to my family : )

[Author]

Posts