Play the Violin without a Shoulder Rest (and save your neck) (The Creative Violinist Book 1)

A short, practical discussion of how to play the violin without using a shoulder rest, including illustrations and exercises. Here is an overview:

1. A short history of my struggle with the issue of holding the violin.
2. Advantages and disadvantages of shoulder rest vs. no shoulder rest.
3. How to deal with the violin sliding around (including product suggestions).
4. Exercises, with photos, for holding the instrument in higher and lower positions.
5. The all important issue of shifting downward into positions lower than the 4th. If you don't address this one, you can't do it without clutching with the neck. This section has several shifting exercises written out (using harmonics to encourage a light touch).