Caryana Dominguez

The goal of this project is to create a method to properly fit chinrests to upper string musicians (violin and viola players). Oftentimes, upper-string players will invest in multiple styles of shoulder rests to alleviate pain or discomfort. Though adjusting the shoulder rest may help the musician, the problem typically initiates from an improperly fitted chinrest. The misconception is that a proper set-up comes from elevating the distance between the instrument and shoulder. However, a proper set-up comes from the instrument's contact point between the collarbone and the jaw. Using the Frisch and Denig Violin and Viola Chinrest Fitting Systems, players can measure their collarbone to the jaw, as well as try different chinrest sizes, and different chinrest shapes. In this study, students would be measured and fitted to a recommended chinrest. The measurements of all participants will be placed into a spreadsheet that contains student neck sizes, instrument and chinrest size, and chinrest shape. Students’ self-reported levels of tension and discomfort will be recorded, before and after the fitting, using a survey. The findings from this research will be displayed as a poster and shared at the UWW Research day, UW-Symposium, American String Teachers Association Conference, and National Conference of Undergraduate Research.

The goal of this project is to create a method to properly fit chinrests to upper string musicians (violin and viola players). Oftentimes, upper-string players will invest in multiple styles of shoulder rests to alleviate pain or discomfort. Though adjusting the shoulder rest may help the musician, the problem typically initiates from an improperly fitted chinrest. The misconception is that a proper set-up comes from elevating the distance between the instrument and shoulder. However, a proper set-up comes from the instrument's contact point between the collarbone and the jaw. Using the Frisch and Denig Violin and Viola Chinrest Fitting Systems, players can measure their collarbone to the jaw, as well as try different chinrest sizes, and different chinrest shapes. In this study, students would be measured and fitted to a recommended chinrest. The measurements of all participants will be placed into a spreadsheet that contains student neck sizes, instrument and chinrest size, and chinrest shape. Students’ self-reported levels of tension and discomfort will be recorded, before and after the fitting, using a survey. The findings from this research will be displayed as a poster and shared at the UWW Research day, UW-Symposium, American String Teachers Association Conference, and National Conference of Undergraduate Research.