Ms. Hahn is one of the few famous people who is just impossible not to like! She is, in addition to being an exquisite violinist, a very bright, genuine, thoughtful and helpful person. This is a wonderful video, packed with useful information! Thanks Hilary!
I'm not a violinist, but I'm really touched by the little story of her father noticing the bruise and whittled the chinrest. Lovely memory of a father's love and sacrifice.
Usui Takumi you can order some at the "Practice" store, they have a very long delivery time though, it might take a lifetime to arrive, but you won't be disappointed with the result
thanks for taking some minutes from your precious time to help us ! I was your fan because of your playing , now I am also a fan because of the nice person that you are !
When I was a child I didn't use a shoulder rest. Many years later I developed some issues with my neck because of it. Once I started using shoulder rests I tried many different ones. At this point I have settled on the Wolf Shoulder rest. It seems to work best for my personal anatomy. But I think what you are saying about each person having to experiment is exactly right. None of us are built exactly alike. And you have to discover what works for your personal anatomy.
Much Thanks for your brave, transparent and genuin revelation on this controvercial issue among string players. My students will appreciate knowing that they are not the only ones using Dr. Scholls pads on their chinrests. As a Suzuki teacher I have used everything from craft foam to rubber shelf liner to address the short comings of violin hardware.
「CELLO KID」 just surprises me how some can maintain there skin and physical appearance though and some to the point where looks are deceiving from when they see it.
In Stradivarius time the average height was a little more than 5 feet. I am over 6 feet and have ZERO chance to hold on to a violin without a shoulder rest.
Hilary, you are a wonderful role model for young girls! And, you are one of the best living violinists. Thank you for making so many sacrifices for us all so that we can hear the music of the great composers. When I listen to you, I am stuck by your unusual calmness. I too love Bach!
Thank you Hilary! In my Meadowmount days, my dear Australian friend, Dean Olding had to give up the violin due to his neck infection that would not go away, even with surgery. To have personal knowledge of your tremendous experience w/o charging $150 an hour is wonderfully unselfish of you. You are also to be commended for your contribution to create the next level of artistry on the violin, and with the skills to carry it out. Your hands are blessed of heaven, and I am so grateful to listen.
They were "lucky" enough to be born with a very short neck, (among many other things...) Hilary Hahn and so many others have longer necks, in which case I believe a shoulder rest is necessary...
After watching this and her performances, I changed my setup to violin + pad (with hairband) + shoulder rest (the one with a hook) + wash cloth; it's soooo stable yet comfortable, perfect for people with long neck and a flat chest, all alignment is perfect and it even absorbs sweat
I am a cellist, so I look at this from a different perspective. It seems to me a shoulder rest would be necessary if you have a long neck. For comments about the great violinists who never use them, perhaps they were short in stature with short necks? And for those who say a shoulder rest dampens sound, can anyone here say she does not project? or Janine Jansen does not project? Obviously they do.
After ~30 years of playing (folk, not classical) I was shown how to hold the instrument by Yaula Hertz. That took her about 30 seconds. No shoulder rest, just a make-up sponge for friction. That one small change opened up whole new worlds for me. But the thing you said about keeping a natural alignment is really the key, no matter how you manage to get there. Keeping relaxed even while trying to tame this impossible instrument and not injuring yourself in the process is critical. Thanks
This is incredibly helpful. I just turned 29 in Feb (2021) and got a violin for my birthday (I’ve always wanted to learn, but we couldn’t afford it growing up)... I have osteoarthritis in my neck and spine, as well as two bones fused together, so figuring out how to hold the violin properly BUT comfortably has been a bit of a struggle..
You're so wonderful, Hilary! ❤ Thank you for mentioning luthiers making custom chinrests, I have in fact made several! A comfortable chinrest makes a huge difference!
1000 stars! This information is not easy to come by for most people. The only part I question is ever holding the violin with only the head, even in high positions. Watching videos of the old masters on RU-vid convinces me that allowing the left hand to balance and support, even in shifts and in high positions is better; even though I have a quite long neck, I am more comfortable rest-less. Rests make the violin easier by lowering the balance necessary but this makes it sound less natural.
I decided to bring my violin out of hibernation, and one of the first things I did was adjust my shoulder rest to keep my shoulders straight like you suggested in the video. OMG millions better! Thanks, now I just need to fix the chinrest..
This is great information and much can be learned from your feet! I am an avid walker and the most important thing I have learned is to change shoes regularly and insoles. Sometimes I change insoles between pairs of shoes too. In this way, by variation, you avoid repetative injury to your body. This principle would also apply to avoiding "violin chin". Change things up!
She is so lovely and soft well spoken! And always trying to help. Wish I could see her girls playing violín one day! Thank you so much Hilary. I remind you, you are the best! And these words come from a lady who has always been a great fan of Perlman whom I deeply respect. A chacun son tour.
+Larry Saltzman Berliner Zeitung 12.08.2006 von Wolfgang Fuhrmann "Ein neuer Typus hält Einzug ins Klassik - Gewerbe: junge Musiker mit verstärktem Niedlichkeitsfaktor" .... "Die Vermarktungsmethoden, mit denen die Klassikfirmen heute aus ihrer Talsohle herauszukommen versuchen, orientieren sich offener an den glänzenden Oberflächen des Mainstream-Popgeschäfts. Dabei geht es nicht so sehr um den Sex-Sells-Faktor, wie er etwa bei Anna Netrebko eingesetzt wird, wenn deren schwarze Mähne so wild ums Haupt fliegt, dass man förmlich den Praktikanten in den Kulissen mit dem Hochleistungsventilator hantieren sieht. Die neue Strategie der Plattenvermarktung setzt vielmehr auf das Prinzip Schnuckelklassik: eher Knuffigkeitsfaktor als Erotik (was ja auch immer etwas mit Distanz zu tun hat), eher Kylie Minogue und Britney Spears als Christina Aguileira oder Madonna. Noch ist Schnuckelklassik kein Begriff - Google kennt keine Einträge. Aber wir werden um das Wort nicht herumkommen, um diese Marketing-Strategie zu beschreiben. Stars müssen nicht nur so jung sein wie das ersehnte Zielpublikum, sie müssen auch so niedlich und knuddelig wirken, dass man sie am liebsten als Stofftiere mit ins Bett nehmen würde. Dafür dürfen sie auch ruhig Beethoven oder Bartók spielen - und tun es in den meisten Fällen nicht einmal schlecht. Der Glaube, klassische Musiker müssten sich mit Crossover-Projekten für die Pophörer profilieren, ist ein wenig geschwunden. Ruppiger Spätpunker-Charme wie bei Nigel Kennedy und allzu offensive asiatische Sinnlichkeit wie bei Vanessa Mae sind jedenfalls passé. Angestaubt wirken diese beiden Vertreter der 90er-Jahre vor allem auch durch ihre ständigen popmusikalischen Anbiederungen (Elektrogeige und dergleichen). Heute, da der Klassikleiter der Universal Music Group Deutschland, Christian Kellersmann, als Credo verkündet: "Klassik ist die neue Popmusik", hat sich die Beweislast eher umgekehrt, und so wird demnächst Sting ein Album mit Liedern des elisabethanischen Lautenisten John Dowland aufnehmen. Nicht zufällig bei der Deutschen Grammophon (DG), die zu Universal gehört. Und nicht zufällig kommen auch die meisten Schnuckelklassiker bei diesem altehrwürdigen Klassik-Label groß raus. Das ist auch historisch nicht unverständlich. Denn sollte je eine Geschichte der Schnuckelklassik geschrieben werden, würde der Geigerin Anne-Sophie Mutter, Karajan-Zögling und DG-Star, darin gewiss die Rolle der Ahnherrin zukommen - auch wenn sie dem pausbäckigen Wunderkinddasein längst ent- und in die schulterfreie Abendrobe hineingewachsen ist. So ist es nur folgerichtig, dass der Typus des Schnuckelklassikers derzeit in Reinkultur vor allem bei jungen Geigerinnen auftritt. Man denke nur an die Amerikanerin Hilary Hahn, deren immer ein wenig von Jungmädchen-Ernsthaftigkeit geprägtes Antlitz beim Betrachter unwillkürlich den Eindruck entstehen lässt, hier mache sich jemand ganz doll Gedanken über den Zustand der Welt. Im Gespräch kann sie zurückhaltend bis zum Nichtssagenden sein. Tatsächlich aber ist Hahn durchaus - und sehr amerikanisch - offen für allerlei volksnahen Unfug; auf ihrer Internet-Seite findet sich wunderbare "Fan Art"; Selbstgemaltes von Bewunderern (wir empfehlen das lustige Sonnenbild!), außerdem gibt es "Itty Bitty News" (zum Beispiel eine Todesanzeige ihres Meerschweinchens Psyche: "starb am 30. Juli 2004 mit zweieinhalb Jahren an einer rätselhaften Verdauungsstörung") und ein regelmäßig geführtes Reisetagebuch. Die Seite enthält auch Tipps, wie man alleine Zeit in einem Hotelzimmer verbringen kann: zum Beispiel mit "Lesen", "Auf dem Bett auf und ab springen", "Bügeln", "Fernsehen (Filme, ausländische Sendungen, Tierrettungsshows, Sport oder verrückte amerikanische Sendungen, wenn jemand Amerikaner ist und Heimweh hat)", "Alle Möbel umstellen (eine meiner Lieblingsbeschäftigungen)" und so weiter. Außerdem führt Hahn gerne mit Mitmusikern Interviews, wobei immer dieselben Fragen gestellt werden: "Ist Schokolade eine Droge?" - "Lieblingstiere?" - "Was halten Sie von Bach?" - "Schnittblumen?" und so fort. Dass man sie auf ihren Fotos kaum je lachen sieht, ist also erstaunlich; da sie diese Fotos aber selbst auswählt, vielleicht auch erklärbar. Sie sieht sich, wie so manche junge Dame, wohl nicht gern selbst beim Lachen zu. Ein richtiger Wonneproppen hingegen ist Hahns niederländische Kollegin Janine Jansen: Sie strahlt am liebsten von einem Ohr zum anderen. Jansen ist sich auch nicht zu fein, auf ihrer Homepage mit einer Fotogalerie von nicht weniger als fünfzehn Bildern zu prunken, während ihre lettische Konkurrentin Baiba Skride sich gerade mal sechs gestattet. Und wo Skride auf dem Cover zu ihrem Solo-Recital in Jeansanzug vor einem Bretterzaun street credibility einforderte, da sieht man Frau Jansen in abendgerechten Tüll- und Seidenträumen, aber auch im kleinen Schwarzen oder schlichten weißen Hosenanzug. Kurz: eine Frau fürs zarte Geigendiner, wo Skride eher den Typ zum Pferdeausreißen gibt. Die schnuckelklassischste aller Photogalerien aber hat die Berlinerin Caroline Fischer aufzuweisen. Auf ihrer Website präsentiert sich die "Pianistin aus Leidenschaft" auf neunzehn (Rekord!) Bildern in allen Lebenslagen: sinnlich schmollend, verschmust lächelnd, kühn viel nacktes Bein von sich spreizend. Man meint, plötzlich in die Bewerbungsmappe für eine Teenie-Modelagentur geraten zu sein, so ungehemmt trägt Fischer hier ihr Aussehen zu Markte. Und Klavier spielen kann sie auch noch! Die Herren spielen bei der Schnuckelklassik vorläufig noch die zweite Geige. Rolando Villazón, an dessen Charme nichts zu rütteln ist, hat große haarige Raupen statt Augenbrauen, und der junge griechische Geiger Leonidas Kavakos besteht überhaupt nur aus Behaarung. Das mag für Teddybären angehen - die Bedingungen der Schnuckelklassik erfüllt ein freundlicher Klavierknuddel mit lustiger Igelfrisur aber doch besser. Der Mann heißt Lang Lang und hat schon hartgesottene Politik-Redakteurinnen dieser Zeitung in Verzückung versetzt. Und ein ganz heißer Kandidat als erster Schnuckelklassik-Dirigent ist Gustavo Dudamel. Lockenköpfig, liebenswürdig, enthusiastisch wie ein Welpe, laut der Tageszeitung "El Universal" einer der schönsten Menschen Venezuelas - und ein wunderbarer Musiker, der demnächst, so ein Zufall, groß bei der DG rauskommen wird. Herzigkeit sells! Und Klassik ist die neue Schnuckelmusik. ------------------------------ Fotos (5) : Caroline Fischer So entspannt sich die "Pianistin aus Leidenschaft" (siehe www.carolinefischer. com), wenn sie gerade mal nicht in die Tasten greift. Anne-Sophie Mutter Überaus stürmisch geigte die Ahnfrau der Schnuckelklassik schon in jungen Jahren (....). Janine Jansen In französischen Fauteuils ist gut fläzen. Die Geigerin wählt dazu einen duftigen Tüll-und-Seiden-Traum (....). Lang Lang liegt flach im Sand: der chinesische Pianist bei einer Dehnübung. Gleich wird er wieder im Rachmaninow wüten (....). Hilary Hahn Wenn sie mal nicht ihre Geige in Schach halten muss, springt sie gern kontemplativ in Hotelbetten auf und ab (....). Ein neuer Typus hält Einzug ins Klassik-Gewerbe: junge Musiker mit verstärktem Niedlichkeitsfaktor: Schnuckelklassik!!!
happy I saw you have a video on this, this might have been posted years ago but remains to be very insightful, I was having issues with my shoulder rest and was struggling to adjust what I might need to do so thank you Hilary as always.
When I began learning I had so much trouble finding a chin rest and shoulder rest combination that worked for me. I ended up carving my own chin rest to fit my anatomy. Very affirming to hear that I’m not the only one who has had to play around a lot with their gear.
Very well said. I have spent my entire life as a professional violinist. And during that time I have had my own trials with shoulder rests and chin rests. I have had the issues where my jaw would bleed from playing 8 and 10 hrs a day. But in the past few years I seem to have solved my problem. And believe-it-or-not, I did it by learning a different way to approach the placement of the instrument. I actually came up with this from my study of Aikido. And it works for my students as well.
I don't play the violin, but I am sure I am not the only one who doesn't play the instrument and who listened attentively all the way to the end... It was a pleasure to learn! 👌
I've heard you playing Paganini Caprice 24 in both versions:No words can match the way she's playing with gorgeous and Marvelous expression. This way of perfectionism is extremely rare! WELL DONE
I am a beginner viola and violin player and i found no shoulder rest just a little sponge held in place by a rubber band, was the way to go for me it feels so free and unrestricted and if you pay attention to you body posture eg. lifting shoulders etc.. you will not injure yourself . I also really like my adjustable Rainer Wilfer chin rest. Thanks for sharing and your inspiration.
Wonderful video. I'm a 64 year old amateur, still trying to find a comfortable setup. I have been too timid to carve up a chinrest. Maybe it's time to be bold. Not all of us have such a fear of sharp objects though (I shave with a straight razor). Then again, after hearing about Nadia Salerno Sonnenberg's experience, I'd agree one should keep away from sharp edges unless you REALLY know what you are doing!
FYI: We have begun to use Arnica cream for my daughter's neck and it has helped, almost to the point of clearing completely!! Also divided practice into mini sessions in between homeschool classes.
Really interesting. A long time ago ,i was looking for the best equipment. never stopping to change the height and the location of the shouldere rest ,molding chinrest myself... ect ....finally i decides to remove all except eventually a thin chinrest that i place on the left to avoid any sliding of the violin to the right..Believe it or not, but for me, at this day it is the most comfortable position I've ever known.
We would have been in orchestra together (based on date of birth). I can't imagine how much easier it would have become to get better to have Joshua Bell answering questions on RU-vid. You're doing the next Gen a tremendous service. Oh, and based on what you said, my posture still sucks, so I still have work to do before I can play my bucket list pieces.
I have always liked listening to your music and felt there is something special about it. I came upon this video and noticed you are also very kind. Somehow it brought to my mind these words from the Writings of Baha'u'llah: "A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding." Thank you for your music, and also for your kindness.
Dear Mrs Hahn, thank you for sharing your opinion to the masses and for being so open to the public. I was wondering whether you sometimes use earplugs or a mute when practicing, to protect your ears from the strong sounds (I can't say noise!) and prevent hear loss, and if you would advice this in general. All the best,
Hilary , you deserve like 7 billion subscribers ( ok not that much but you get the picture right ) I'm often surprised you have 17,462 subscribers and you deserve waaaaayyyyy more than that . I hope can be like you one day . ♥♡♥♡ :-D
Sounds fine to me buddy. I can hear her just fine. And I agree about the Paganini, her performance seriously shocked me when I first got that CD. I had always wondered why Heifetz never recorded much Paganini (aside from a couple of caprices, I don't think he did anything). Her precision, her control, and especially her tone, are just ridiculous. Hilary handles one of the most difficult and technically challenging violin pieces ever written with the grace and skill of an angel. She's incredible.
Que pessoa maravilhosa! Responde o que me pergunto: Quanto de sacrifício tem na genialidade...na perfeição? Admiro tanto o virtuosismo quanto a caminhada.
What a great contribution you have made to the art of violin playing and performance. Thanks for your experience, wisdom, personality and beauty. I hope you don't mind if we love you!
i have just discovered the SAS chinrests…..they are totally adjustable in angle and come in 4 (i belive) heights….i am using the max height of 32 mm…..the only problem is i have take it off every time as it doesnt fit in the case lol…..but after 4 decades i have finally found comfort, in as far as it is posibble when playing violin.The SAS is a bit expensive, but i have found it to be worth it…..here in UK it is about £43.00. this plus a bon musica shoulder rest, and im a happy bunny
I use a thick, unused duster as a chin rest (folded) because my chin lies over some switches (electric violin) and I play a right hand violin left handed, so most chin rests are for right hand violin players. I have no pressure sores or marks on my neck, chin or shoulder. I removed the chin rest because it was making the G string sound like it's get up and go had got up and gone and I did not like how it was resonating. Sounds good now and I use a shoulder rest because the violin falls off my shoulder without it😅
Hi Hilary!This is interesting.They seam to miss the point in comments!ToDo or not todo!Whatever is best for the violinist to make it as comfortable as possible.The sound coming out of the violin is what its all about.When You play it perfectly-then comes the violin singing with You putting so much in Beautyful music comes out.You have helped so many violinists with plain instructions-so the Beautyful sound comes out.LotsaLove to You, and always pray to keep You safe.*XOo*-*oOX* *-*
@Piano194 Good advise. I agree. Would like some music and possilbly some of what you think are important pointers in learning or playing your music...I love the way you explain thinks...very very clear and personalable. Please be my messager. Your fan, ...from Miami.
I play w/o a shoulder rest. Life is easier...for me. I would recommend it. But I am only a violinist 3rd or 4th class. A lot of the 1st class folks I admire and have had the opportunity to learn from play without. But in the end, good is as good does. If shoulder rest helps her play as well as she does, it it 100% correct. Feel free to criticize when you can play half as well.
You will be my six years old grandson online tutor, I'm a hobby player very occasional- What size will be best 1/4 or 2/4 for that age? It is fantastic the progress to avoid injury with the shoulder rest, violin playing can be traumatic if not handled properly! Thanks Hillary
Having read almost all arguments about shoulderrest and great violonists I am stunned. To me a great violonist plays so well that you are emotionally moved. Whether or not he or she playes with a shoulderrest is totally irrelevant.
Great!!! Very Helpful Ms. Hahn, Could you made a Video with some examples, I fix my Chinrest problems, but i continue searching for the Shoulder rests, I have 30 years playing and I can't fix this important part and my jaw begin to feel tired, I try of all, may be is there a Tip could help me!!!
A quality shoulder rest is a must for me, but I don't like to detach and reattach it, so my daily violin sits out of its case. Maybe I should design a case that accommodates the shoulder rest. ;-)
