I am trying to teach myself the violin and i think i'm doing ok but i dont have a shoulder rest .Is it an essential aid to helping my playing or not?Could you please suggest any places where it would be possible to purchase one?Thank you.

Opinions on that vary a great deal. Most people need some sort of padding, at least. There's loads of places to buy one online.

Liz

i just used a sponge and a couple of elastic bands for the first couple of years

I've just bought a violin with the aim of teaching myself, although I'm getting a couple of lessons from someone at work at some point to start me off - I don't have a shoulder rest either but to be honest I have a pretty short neck (i'm small all over!) and I can only just fit the violin and chin rest under my chin - I don't think I could get a shoulder rest in there if I tried! - so I don't think it's right for everyone - I'm even toying with the idea of asking my teacher (when I get one) if it would be a good idea to lose the chin rest as well so I can actually fit some padding in there!

It might be worth getting someone who know's what they're doing to have a look and see what would suit you before you splash out on one.

I started by using just a towel or handkercheif... but after a couple of months I got a shoulder rest and it's alot easier. It won't shift around all the time and you wouldn't need to keep repositioning it. Also you have a better grip which makes vibrato and shifting a whole lot easier.

My shoulder rest has been fine up until now, but as I am thinking about vibrato, it feels a little bit slippy when I try to do the technique. Should it feel literally locked in place? Or tight, but not too tight? The violin doesn't slip, just it feels like it might do, frightened of dropping it I think!

If you're going to buy one then go to your local music shop and see if they can let you try one out. I've been using a Wolf about 6 years now, and only this week realised how much more I prefer the feel Kun shoulder rest. I'm prob going to go out this weekend and buy a Kun shoulder rest for my violin and viola. You'll find that a particular shoulder rest will feel more comfortable for you. Just try them out

Thank you, I shall certainly do that!