GB2368183A

GB2368183A - A Shoulder Rest for a Musical Instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2368183A
Application number: GB0015221A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karen Jane Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-21
Filing date: 2000-06-21
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Also published as: GB0015221D0

Abstract

The present invention concerns a shoulder rest for use in conjunction with a musical instrument (20). The rest takes the form of a support (2) having a profiled support surface, shaped to the profile of a player's upper shoulder region. The rest further has an attachment means (11) for coupling of the rest to said instrument. In use, the profiled support surface of the rest sits and hooks around a player's upper shoulder region, deterring the instrument from sliding down the player's shoulder, the support also being arranged to support the instrument away from a player's chest.

Description

A SHOULDER REST The present invention relates to a shoulder rest which is intended to be used in conjunction with a musical instrument.

In order to promote a high level of musical attainment in individuals it is common to begin musical training at a young age. However, as young children are physically smaller than adults and do not possess fully developed hand-eye co-ordination, strength or manual dexterity, it is often necessary to adapt some musical instruments in order to facilitate early learning.

For example, children learning string instruments such as the violin or viola tend to learn on smaller scaled-down versions. This said, scaling down the instrument does not necessarily eradicate all the areas of difficulty. In particular, a further problem in learning to play such stringed instruments relates to the correct holding and maintaining of the instrument in position over a prolonged period of time.

In this connection, in the ideal position the voila/violin is abutted against the chin and neck, the bottom of the instrument resting slightly on the player's shoulder, with the non-bow hand being raised to support the instrument such that it extends generally at right angles to the player's body.

The instrument is hence wedged to a degree between the player's chin and shoulder/collarbone. A problem in maintaining the instrument in this position is that the space between a player's chin and their upper shoulder/collarbone is greater than the thickness of the instrument placed in this space. As such in order to retain the instrument in position the player has to reduce this space by either lowering their head or raising their shoulder. Whilst experienced players learn how to achieve this without detrimentally affecting their posture, for beginners, particularly children, the problem of keeping the instrument securely correctly positioned is significant.

When a beginner, particularly a child, places the instrument under their chin, it will tend to slide out of the correct position down their collar bone, due to the shiny underside of the instrument and the generally downward inclination of the shoulder area. This forces the non bow (left) wrist to move upwards to try to support the instrument. However, this leads to a poor posture, sets up undesirable tension in the bow arm and results in the head moving downwards and the neck becoming strained. Moreover the instrument is held at an incorrect angle, such that the bow cannot be drawn straight across the strings to produce a good sound. No progress in learning to play the viola/violin correctly can be made until the instrument is held at the correct angle and maintained at the correct posture.

To assist the learner there are known shoulder rests which are intended to try to overcome the above mentioned problems. Some of the presently available shoulder rests comprise a piece of foam which is intended to make contact with the shoulder area and support the violin. Such known shoulder rests are attached to the violin via an elastic band. They are provided to cover the point of contact of the shoulder of the player and the instrument, reducing the soreness created by such contact. Such devices only address the underlying problem of the instrument sliding down onto the player's shoulder onto the collar bone to the extent that they seek to increase the overall thickness of the instrument in the space between the player's chin and shoulder area. As such the player does not have to lower their head or raise their shoulder to the same extent.

Further known shoulder rests comprise an inflatable pillow.

Again, such known shoulder rests are intended to sit on the shoulder, padding the shoulder from prolonged direct contact with the instrument and reducing the extent the player has to lower their head or raise their shoulder.

Hence, whilst both of the above shoulder rests add a degree of padding to the player's shoulder and temporarily raise the instrument so that it is closer to the player's chin, they do not attack the underlying problem of the instrument sliding down the player's shoulder area. Further, the methods of attachment of such known shoulder rests to the instrument tend to be somewhat unreliable, allowing the rest to slip and move undesirably in relation to the instrument. Moreover, such devices can be cumbersome to fit and inflexible, allowing little or difficult adjustment.

A further known type of shoulder rest which is currently available includes a relatively rigid bar which clips onto the back of the violin. Such rigid rests are not aimed for comfort but for improving positioning of the instrument and posture of the player. In this regard, they act as before in increasing the overall thickness of the instrument so that it is easier to clamp between the chin and shoulder area. They are not however directed towards preventing the instrument sliding down onto the player's chest.

Further, such rigid shoulder rests are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time as they dig into the shoulder and chin at uncomfortable angles and can as such discourage a learner from practising their instrument. Repetitive playing of the violin in conjunction with a rigid shoulder rest can lead to the development of uncomfortable and unsightly pressure sores on the neck, shoulder and chest areas.

Further, shoulder rests of the above kind are relatively expensive and are rarely used for those just beginning to learn to play the violin. They are also quite difficult to attach correctly to the instrument. Hence, they are not suited to beginners, particularly children.

An object of the present invention is to seek to provide a means for assisting a beginner to adopt and maintain the correct posture when playing a musical instrument such as a violin or viola, whilst avoiding the abovementioned problems.

A further object of the present invention is to seek to provide a teaching aid for a viola/violin in the form of a shoulder rest that will be comfortable and appeal to a beginner and which can be easily attached to the instrument.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoulder rest for use in conjunction with a musical instrument; the rest comprising a support having a support surface, the support surface having the profile of a player's upper shoulder region, the rest further comprising attachment means for coupling of the rest to an instrument.

Preferably, the support surface is shaped for allowing secure seating thereof on a player's shoulder. Conveniently, the support surface is arcuate and is formed as a shallow hook. As such the rest is deterred from sliding down the player's shoulder, making it easier to play the instrument for prolonged periods at the correct posture.

In preferred embodiments, the rest is a generally longitudinal member with the support surface being provided on an underside surface thereof, the thickness at one end of the rest being greater that at the other end. In this regard, the thickness of the rest is greater at the end thereof distal from the player's shoulder in use, namely that which abuts the player's chest area under their chin. As such the increased thickness of the rest at this area assists to keep the instrument it supports elevated.

Supporting the instrument in this manner allows the player to concentrate on technique rather than on maintaining the instrument at the correct position.

Conveniently, the rest support surface comprises in profile a first inclined portion, and a second inclined portion, the first and second inclined portions having opposed gradients. The support surface is thereby intended to seat over a player's shoulder, from their back to their front. Preferably, the support is formed of a resilient material such as foam. The support may in alternative embodiments be more fluid/conformable in use, namely comprise for example a bean-bag type arrangement, i. e. a bag filled with a plurality of polystyrene balls. In the case of an arrangement formed of foam, the shape of the support can be predetermined, whereas with a conformable arrangement the support can adopt the shape required in use, i. e. when placed on a player's shoulder.

In preferred embodiments, the attachment means comprises a strap which is removably attachable to the instrument.

Conveniently, the strap and the support are removably attachable to each other. In this way the strap can be left on the instrument and the support readily attached thereto when required. To this end the strap and the support may be provided with a hooks and loops type material such as Velcro (Trade Mark) to enable ready coupling of the strap and the support. An advantage of such a material is that it also allows fine adjustment of the positioning of the support on the strap.

In preferred embodiments, the strap is provided with clasping areas of relatively high friction material. Such clasping areas may be formed of rubber and are preferably located to engage with the sides of the instrument when the strap is provided around the instrument, for the purpose of securely holding the strap on the instrument.

Preferably, the support is encased in a cover, which may be have a high friction finish to assist in the seating thereof on a player's shoulder. The cover may further be decorative to attract use of the rest by for example the younger generation.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a shoulder rest for use in conjunction with a musical instrument; the rest comprising a support having a support surface for seating on a player's shoulder, the surface having substantially a wedge shape, arranged so that in use a thicker end of the wedge shape is arranged to abut a chest area of the player.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a shoulder rest for use in conjunction with a musical instrument; the rest comprising a support having a support surface for seating on a player's shoulder, the rest further comprising attachment means for releasably attaching the rest to the instrument, wherein the attachment means comprises a strap configured to fasten to the instrument, the strap being provided with a coupling medium which connects with a corresponding coupling medium provided on the support. The coupling medium is preferably Velcro (Trade Mark).

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein; Figure 1 shows in profile a shoulder rest of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows from below the shoulder rest of Figure 1 in use on an instrument.

Figure 1 illustrates a shoulder rest 1 of the present invention comprising a support 2 which may be encased in a covering outer layer. The support is formed of any suitable resilient material such as high density foam or other stuffing/wadding materials and the covering outer layer may be any suitable type of material, but preferably should be relatively non slip, such as corduroy, chamois leather, suede, rubber, latex, velvet materials, fake animal skins/furs. The materials may be"fun"to encourage use by the younger generation.

As shown in Figure 1 the support is provided with a profiled support surface 3. The support surface is shaped in use for conforming to the profile of a player's upper shoulder, shown in phantom lines 4. The profiled support surface 3 enables an instrument, attached to the rest, to be held and maintained in the correct position. In this regard, the thicker end of the support 2 rests on the player's chest under their chin enabling the instrument to be held in position with minimal effort.

Whilst the support 2 itself is shown in a predetermined shape, it is envisaged that more conformable/fluid materials than foam may be used in its construction, such as polystyrene balls, which could mould themselves into shape when placed on the shoulder.

Further, a settable material may be used so that the support could be tailor made for an individual.

The thickness of the support 2 of the shoulder rest 1 which is located next to the player's neck during use, is such as to prevent the player having to unduly lower their head or raise their shoulder.

The top side 5 of the shoulder rest 1 is provided with an coupling surface 6 such as Velcro (Trade Mark). This is intended to fasten to a corresponding surface on a strap arrangement 10.

In this regard, the strap arrangement 10 comprises a length of elastic 11 with coupling portions 12 at each end. In use the strap is passed around the instrument 20 with high friction elements 13, formed in this example of rubber, spanning the edges of the instrument. The elements 13 prevent the strap from slipping on the instrument. The coupling portions 12 are brought together on the rear of the instrument and then present a further coupling surface 14 for coupling with the coupling surface 6 on the support 2.

The various coupling surfaces may comprise Velcro (Trade Mark) and said strap 11 is preferably elastic. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments more than one strap may be present and the strap may be formed of alternative materials such as a jumbo rubber band. The use of stretchable materials for the strap arrangement allows it to be used with various sized instruments.

Also whilst Velcro (Trade Mark) is a preferred coupling means, suitable alternatives such as press studs, buttons and holes in a length of elastic material may be used.

The coupling means may in certain embodiments be provided only in specific locations so as to limit the number of positions in which the support may be attached, i. e. in order to simplify the attachment process, e. g. for children.

In a further alternative, the support may be attached to the instrument by way of suction pads directly onto the underside of the instrument.

The strap 11 may also be provided with a tightening means to ensure that it maintains close contact with the instrument 20 and can therefore be adjusted to fit for example any size of violin or viola.

It will be appreciated that when the support 2 is not required, the strap 11 may be left in position on the instrument 20 and need not be removed. The violin/viola may therefore be carried in its case with the strap 11 in position making assembly of the support 2 with the instrument easy for a child.

In the present example the shoulder rest is approximately 130 mm long, 29 mm high at the shoulder end, 20 mm high at the point of inflexion of the two gradients and 48 mm high at the chest end.

However, the rest may have different dimensions to suit particular requirements. It will further be appreciated that the strap attachment 11 need not completely encircle the instrument.

Further, the covering outer layer of the shoulder rest 1 may be one of any number of colours, thereby making it more attractive to children.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, obviously many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in this art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A shoulder rest for use in conjunction with a musical instrument; the rest comprising a support having a support surface, the support surface having the profile of a player's upper shoulder region, the rest further comprising attachment means for coupling of the rest to said instrument.
2. A shoulder rest according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is shaped for secure seating thereof on a player's shoulder.
3. A shoulder rest according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support surface is arcuate.
4. A shoulder rest according to claim 1, wherein the rest is a generally longitudinal member with the support surface being provided on an underside surface thereof, the thickness at one end of the rest being greater that at the other end.
5. A shoulder rest according to any preceding claim, wherein the rest support surface comprises in profile a first inclined portion, and a second inclined portion, the first and second inclined portions having opposed gradients.
6. A shoulder rest according to any preceding claim 1, wherein the support comprises foam.
7. A shoulder rest according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises a strap which is removably attachable to the instrument.
8. A shoulder rest according to claim 7, wherein the strap and the support are removably attachable to each other.
9. A shoulder rest according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the strap is provided with clasping areas of relatively high friction material.
10. A shoulder rest according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is encased in a cover having a high friction finish.
11. A shoulder rest for use in conjunction with a musical instrument ; the rest comprising a support having a support surface for seating on a player's shoulder, the surface having substantially a wedge shape, arranged so that in use a thicker end of the wedge shape is arranged to abut a chest area of the player.
12. A shoulder rest for use in conjunction with a musical instrument; the rest comprising a support having a support surface for seating on a player's shoulder, the rest further comprising attachment means for releasably attaching the rest to the instrument, wherein the attachment means comprises a strap configured to fasten to the instrument, the strap being provided with a coupling medium which connects with a corresponding coupling medium provided on the support.
13. A shoulder rest according to any preceding claim, wherein the instrument is a violin or a voila.
14. A shoulder rest substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.