I have read that you should not use shoulder rests because it messes up your technique and tone production. I don't see how that could be. Does anyone know what this means? I've been using a shoulder rest, and it seems so much easier than without it. But I certainly don't want to ruin my technique...

Everyone I know uses a shoulder rest, including my violin teacher! It definitely does not ruin technique! I personally could never play without one!

I have always played with one, and my teacher and everybody i know! If they don't have one then they use a wad of material or a covered sponge or something wedged under the violin to keep it at the right angle!
maybe if you are fiddling you don't need one (i mean proper fiddling!) but personally i would use one or a sponge or something, i started playing with a sponge.

I've haven't used one so far. I don't really see the point at the moment as I have no trouble without one, but I might change my mind later on.

I've never heard about it affecting anything and all the professionals I have seen use one.

I tip my hat to whoever plays without a shoulder rest.

Haha, my youth orch's old conductor dragged his violin out on occasion to demonstrate a passage or two. Sits 4th chair in the local symphony and his shoulder rest is a sponge pad about a half-an-inch thick held in place by a rubber band. I think it can be preference, really, but you should always ask a teacher or local authority on the violin. Everybody's body is different. Maybe some people don't need them, maybe they make it difficult for other people, and most importantly, if you use one, you're often using the WRONG one. I prefer Kuhn, myself, but everybody is different and what works for one person may hinder another. That may be the reason your source advised against them in the first place. Variety matters.

As far as I´ve seen, only some very old men play without the shoulder rest, as they haven´t had any in their youth when started violin playing. I´ve seen close one old master, and he lifts his shoulder a bit to keep the violin in balance. I suppose it makes easily problems with body if you have to replace the shoulder rest like that.

I have always thought shoulder rest is created to keep the violin on it´s place without physical effort. But of course all people have a bit different body and nothing fits to everyone.

i didn't use a shpulder rest when i started out but it left a bruise so i now i'm using one and i can't play well without it....

when I started out I used a sponge, and then I got a shoulder rest, but when I upgraded to a full sized violin I didn't get a shoulder rest right away. I learned to play without it, and was uncomfortable with one. Then I joined another student orchestra in school and our teach demanded that everyone use a shoulder rest. I bought one that I like, and, though it took me about a month of playing every day to get used to it, I believe it aids in things like shifting and vibrato. They are both a blessing and a curse - they improve your position, but they are a nuisanse because most models fall off constantly and you have to place them very particularly on the instrument. I am the only person I know who can play well without one, and I have never heard the viewpoint you have expressed- have one or not. Whatever's comfortable to you.

I used one when I first started back in high school. When I went back to playing many years later, I played on my own and didn't use one. Now that I'm in regular lessons, I've started using one again and can't really play without it. I think it's all a matter of what's comfortable for you and what you get used to.

I find a sponge much more helpful. Shoulder rests tend to drag the violin round in front of you which i suppose does affect your technique. There is that shoulder est you can get which goes over your should which certainy keeps the fiddle in the right place but restricts your freedom slightly.
I think you should use whatever feels most natural.
Iz

I've played the violin with a shoulder rest ever since I started. Only recently I have been experimenting by playing without one. At first, it just felt un-natural. And whenever I would come back down from a high position on the violin it would pull it from my neck and I would have to physically clench my shoulder to stop it. After a bit of practise I can now play without a shoulder rest and shift back down the violin easily. I think it is an asset to learn to play without one as it free's up your shoulder space and allows a more free, less tense movement. Also it forces you to hold the violin lighter, releasing tension.

I don't know anyone who plays without a shoulder rest. How could it possibly mess up your tone?

I think that its the length of your neck that depends upon whether you need a shoulder rest or not. In our symphony orchestra the principal violinists in 1 and 2 dont use shoulder rests. Ive observed because they have short necks. Unlike me, i have a noticeable long neck, im a tall girl. So, i use shoulder pads. But i started without one. I got used to without using a shoulder pad. until someone recommended me using one. I tried and it did hurt my back but i got used to using one too. So whenever i dont use one, i get back pains. But one incidednt, a friend of mine, her teacher said that she needs to use shoulder pad, though she never used one and her neck wasnt that long coz she's a small girl. Her teacher said that her violin is tilted downward so bought a shoulder pad. Shes adjusting to the back pains but shell get used to it like i did. I more comfortable with a shoulder pad though i could play without one.