Bonmusica shoulder rest for viola. The sheathed metal bar is bent by hand into the shape of your own body; the upturned hook reaches over the shoulder.
- Height and tilt adjustable at the feet
- The Bonmusica is the choice for players who want a particularly secure hold in shifts. The shoulder hook keeps it in place.
- Players who value plenty of freedom at the shoulder will find a better partner in a rest without a shoulder hook, such as the KUN Original.
Technical data
| Instrument | viola |
| Model | Bonmusica |
| Bar | sheathed metal, shapeable |
Features
- For viola
- Sheathed metal bar, shapeable by hand
- Upturned hook over the shoulder
In practice
- As with all shapeable rests: out of the box it is not yet shaped to your body. You bend it to shape over days in small steps.
- Height first: when you place the instrument and lower your chin, the spine should stay straight and the head should not tilt. Better to start too low and raise it step by step.
- Then the tilt, and set each foot separately. The shoulder slopes away from the neck towards the arm; if one side sits in the air, only an edge is bearing.
- Chin rest and shoulder rest work together. With a long neck a higher chin rest can take over part of the height, so the shoulder rest need not be wound up to its limit.
- Rubber feet are wearing parts. Replaced in good time, they keep the rest secure on the rib and protect the varnish.
Versions
- 15", ZSR-BV501
- 15.5", ZSR-BV502
- 16", ZSR-BV503
- 16.5", ZSR-BV504
- 17", ZSR-BV505
Sound and physics
Violas are sized by body length in centimetres or inches; adult sizes range from 15.5 to 17 inches.
The dimensions a shoulder rest engages with grow with the body length.
The Bonmusica's bar is a sheathed metal frame that can be shaped by hand to your own shoulder and collarbone. The contact surface thus follows the body, and the rest forms the lower abutment of the clamp between shoulder and chin.
The viola versions are graded by body length from 15 to 17 inches.
When another model suits you better
Players who prefer a rest with a fixed shape and adjustable feet are in good company with the Kun Original.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for in a shoulder rest for my viola?
What counts are the lower bout width and rib height of your own instrument; on a viola with a 42 cm body they are 244 mm and 39 mm. If in doubt, measure the lower bout across at its widest point.
Which Bonmusica fits my viola?
The viola versions are graded by body length, from ZSR-BV501 for 15 inches through ZSR-BV502 for 15.5 inches to ZSR-BV505 for 17 inches.
