Shoulder rests are used to help viola players hold up their viola. There are many varieties of shoulder rests available, and the selection of a shoulder rest is very personal. Questions to consider when choosing a shoulder rest are: does it help me hold up my viola? Is it comfortable?

Ideally, you should take your viola with you to a music store to test several products. You also may want to ask your viola teacher or violist friends for their recommendations. Some viola players use no shoulder rests, others prefer a particular brand, and some teachers recommend the use of round, make-up sponges (see pictures below for samples). If you play a small viola, you may want to use a violin shoulder rest (a 14" viola would be comparable to a full-size 4/4 violin). Visit our Violin Shoulder Rest page for small viola shoulder rests. To minimize neck abrasions, some viola players find it helpful to place a scarf or cloth over their chin rest, or to use a chin rest cover.