I've been practising with the band who are playing My Fair Lady at school (it's my school's production), and although I sit up straight at the beginning, towards the end I find I'm all hunched up and bent over, with my viola pointing to the floor which I know you're not supposed to do! By the end of the night my shoulder, neck and back all hurt, and I don't know how to correct it. I suspect it could be something to do with my shoulder rest, but I don't know how to make it so that it's comfortable. Please help, I don't want to not enjoy my playing because of this!
Thanks,
Jess

I suspect it could be just increasing exhaustion - my posture goes to pot in long rehearsals. How big is the viola?

Liz

15.5 inches, I remember measuring it because I bought my case from you!

Jess - just a shot in the dark, but do you sit down as most people seem to do with your chair and chest pointing square on towards the music stand? If so that can give you achy posture, because you turn your head to the left to put it on your chinrest, and then end up having to twist your whole body back round to to bring the music back into your line of vision. I was taught to turn the chair from square on sufficiently clockwise that when you turn your head to put it on the chinrest you are looking directly at the music, without twisting your body, even though your body is then not pointing at the music. The effect of this is if you're in the right hand seat your desk partner seems to think you're being a bit unfriendly turning your chair slightly away from them, and if you're in the left hand seat they think you're being too friendly turning your chair more towards them than the music stand!

It just occurred to me that the limited space of a "pit orchestra" type set up might have led to some kind of problems as above.

Another point relating to the chair- are you sitting on one of those horrid plastic things where the seat is scooped out and the knees a little higher than your bottom- nasty cruel instruments of torture! I know string players who carry a wedge shaped cushion with them or little blocks to go under the back legs of the chair to make the seat angle forwards slightly. Otherwise, just make a point of checking you are sitting up straight between every number or ask your desk partner to remind you.

I played a concert over in germany last year and it lasted for 3 and a half hours in the middle of the concert i was telling my mate that i had really bad posture and a back ache. and she said that she put a pillow behind her back so she wouldnt lucky she had a extra one and she gave me one and it was really helpful. try that it does really help

I've been having similar problems. After long orchestra rehearsals I find my neck and shoulders are really sore, and the person behind me in orchestra has told me that I start the rehearsal sitting up straight and then gradually lean over and hunch up. I don't think it's my viola as my viola is quite small and I have large hands. As well as the length of rehearsals, I think the problem is aggravated by the cramped conditions where I have to twist myself into impossible angles to be able to see the music and not be bowing into my desk partner. I now try and consciously think about sitting up straight all the time. Do you think Alexander Technique might help me? Does anyone have any experience of Alexander Technique?

Zoda-yes, that does sound like what I'm doing! Thank you, I'll try that tonight and let you know how it went. I'll try the cushion as well, that sounds like a good idea. 3 hours this goes on for, lovely...
Jess

I used to have that problem, but I found that getting a higher shoulder rest completely changed my posture. But that's just me. =) Hope you find a way that will help you.

Try the 'stowemaster shoulder rest' Fantastic

For a real test of stamina, try to get yourself into a rehearsal of Mahler 6. most violinists and violists (and not just amateurs or students) complain about shoulder and neck problems after long rehearsals.

One reason this happens is because the arm and hand position partially restricts the blood flow to the muscles.

A few Alexander Technique sessions will help improve things and release the tension, but the only other advice I can give is to take the violin away from your shoulder whenever there are sufficient bars rest. It will just offer a few moments of relaxation and restore the circulation to all the muscles.