Bonmusica - 4/4 Full size, adjustable, violin shoulder rest in metal.

I am a violinist and bought this as my last huskies thought it might help me as I currently have a shoulder injury. I didn’t find it comfortable. I found it dug in to my chest area and made you have to hold the violin at an unrealistic angle so it would never work for me as I have no desire to alter my technique to that degree. It is also fairly unsightly date I say it and I felt that it clashes cosmetically with a beautiful violin. I think the concept of it extending more over the left shoulder does have potential but in it’s current form it’s not a workable option for me personally

These are great, I have a 5 string violin and an Octave violin, neither are 'normal' violin shaped (depth or width) and these adjust to hold them beautifully and are comfortable On the shoulder.

The most adjustable on the shoulder rests but a downside is that it's a bit bulky to store.

The Bonmusica shoulder rest has been of no help to me, even though I have a long neck (or to be more precise, a head that is set a little too forward on my shoulders, making me slightly hollow-chested - not at all the ideal build for a fiddler). Although I am an advanced violinist, having graduated from music-college with a Distinction and played many of the big concertos, I have always struggled to find a truly comfortable way of holding the violin that didn't interfere with my left-hand finger action and shifting. My various teachers have been quite useless on this matter, either suggesting shoulder rests that were far too low (I end up supporting the instrument with my left hand and then almost drop it on down-shifts!) or telling me that I was neurotic about the issue of my left thumb bearing too much weight (funny how I've ended up with arthritis in that particular joint in later life...). After many many years of experimentation, and a very instructive nine months playing a viola, I have in fact approached a solution. Long-necked violinists tend to move their instrument higher on their shoulder, so that their chin falls more over the tail-piece than onto the (conventional) left-mounted chin-rest, because this gains them some extra height. I certainly did this in a big way as student - at times I could hardly see the violin as I played! But my chastening viola experience showed me that another way is possible. Position the instrument lower on your chest, so that your chin lands well to the left of centre, properly onto the chin-rest. But then aim the instrument outwards at a wider angle from straight ahead (so that the scroll points well to the left) - this way you gain maximum support from your left shoulder, without tensing it or hunching. Then use a supportive shoulder rest - I've been using an old Wolf Forte Primo rest with the chest-side leg on a higher setting than the shoulder-side leg, and, looking at the back of the violin, angled more towards the C-bout on the shoulder side. This has been something of a revelation - as much for my bowing arm which is far less cramped, because it now moves in a much larger arc and I can keep my right wrist much flatter - try it out if you don't understand. The benefits for left-right coordination are amazing in my case. Even so my Wolf FP shoulder rest is quite old and can come loose. And I had high hopes that the Bonmusica would solve some residual difficulties over keeping the violin securely located. But it doesn't suit my "new method". The pronounced hook on the shoulder side tends to drag my violin towards my shoulder i.e. back towards the old position I try to avoid. Straightening out the curve helps a little, but the screw-out legs soon foul the backplate if you do this, and then the rubber tip drops off. But worst of all, this rest does not offer as much "lift" as my old one, so that my left hand still ends up supporting excessively the weight of the instrument. I think this is because, even with the legs screwed well out, the middle of the rest curves quite close to the back of the instrument, so in effect it only offers the support of quite a low shoulder-rest. I can even feel my collar-bone contacting the back of the violin at most settings. For many, this may be a virtue, but for me, it spells lumpy left-hand action, missed shifts and a subtle but pervasive hardening of my tone. Phew! Thank you for your patience dear reader! Would love to know if other players have similar experiences. To be positive, I recommend the Wolf Forte Primo very highly. MInor point - the padding on the Bonmusica is a cheap affair. It has a break about half way along, presumably to allow for different width settings. But the break is very crudely cut on mine; I thought at first that someone had broken it and glued it back on . Not good for £45-50.

This is a good shoulder rest but the rubber feet marked my expensive violin and the varnish came off when it was being repaired so I definately wouldnt buy again !

I have a long neck, and neck pain problems, and violin has always been impossible for me, I’ve tried loads of shoulder and chin tests and never found one that was comfortable. So I’ve never been able to learn violin, much to my disappointment. However I saw this on a YouTube video and thought I may as well give it a try, and it is the solution for me! I’m so happy :)

As a violinist of just over eight years now, I brought this shoulder rest to replace my previous, low quality shoulder rest that offered little support and/or adjustment. I chose the Bonmusica as it offered a large amount of adjustment and seemed to be high quality. However, when the rest arrived I was most disappointed. The over the shoulder design is restricting, allowing no movement and throwing the violin into an unrealistic and uncomfortable angle. The clunky and large design didn’t fit into my case and got damaged very easily in transit (particularly the foam padding which was of low quality). Finally, although the rest grips to the violin very well it seems to do so too tightly; to the point where it is almost chocking the violin. (And I have quite a narrow violin as well). Overall, after purchasing the Bonmusica I soon gave up and ditched my shoulder rest all together. Since then, my playing has improved dramatically. I have felt less restricted and, as a result, have had the ability to play more freely with less tension. To put it simply, to pay £60 + on a shoulder rest like this is quite ridiculous. I would advise to look elsewhere or ditch the shoulder rest completely.

Fits very well, very adaptable to the shape of violin and violinist. Well made and very comfortable. Allows violin to resonate freely.