The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: FT
Date: 2002-01-01 21:25
Why do violinists play violin with a little piece of cloth in their necks?????
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Author: Peter
Date: 2002-01-01 23:20
Keeps them from sweating on the wood while they play under hot lights.
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2002-01-01 23:36
Some people have problems with a "violin hickey" (a big bruise on their necks) and a cloth supposedly helps out there. I tried using one once, but I didn't really take to it- I only have a smallish brown spot on my neck anyway because I don't practice enough (too much clarinet!).
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Author: Gene Wie
Date: 2002-01-02 03:11
The "violin hickey" is a result of the chinrest rubbing against the neck. This condition is aggravated by the manner in which a lot of people are taught to hold the instrument (over to the left side, neck turned, instrument over the shoulder).
This is something I was made aware of recently: the violin is not held over the shoulder, but over the collarbone, more to the front. Not only does this level out the instrument and make it more comfortable to hold, it reduces the excessive extension of the arm required to play on the highest and lowest strings.
It's more fun playing with less junk 'round the neck. =)
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2002-01-02 15:22
Gene- also, violinists who don't use shoulder rests are more prone to getting a "violin hickey." The majority of American violinists use shoulder rests, but those who don't hold the violin between the collarbone and the chin because violins aren't very thick- holding it between the shoulder and chin would require a tense, raised shoulder. I use a shoulder rest, which I find much more comfortable.
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Author: Gene Wie
Date: 2002-01-03 03:57
Well, I always use a "shoulder" rest while playing (Kun) for comfort's sake, but manage to arrange it so that I'm able to maintain the more forward playing position offered by positioning it between the collarbone and the chin. Years ago I switched to a Vermeer chinrest in order to solve the "thickness" problem.
I had been playing in the "looking left" posture for over a decade until corrections were made by a mentor a few weeks ago. The change came about not only to solve some technical issues in left hand positioning, but also to reduce strain on my right shoulder and upper arm.
As a result, I'm positioned almost right dead-center on the instrument, looking right over the tailpiece (and without having to turn my head to the left much at all). It took some getting used to, but I have to admit playing feels much easier.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-01-08 04:19
As a professional viola player, I'm fully qualified to answer this ... sweat and it's affect on your neck and the resultant nasty marks. But they're nothing like the finger tip numbing caloses (sp) you get on your left hand from the strings.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-01-08 04:20
Wow, cool ... I'm a viola player who also happens to play the clarinet.
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