I have just played in my first concert on violin. It was quite a tricky programme (Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony, Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmilla, Tchaik's Romeo and Juliet and Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 2). I was only able to attend 2 rehearsals (as I was at uni), but tonight in the concert I had immense shoulder blade/upper back pain. Is this normal? ie. just muscle fatigue or could I be doing something wrong? I've never really played so long sitting down and stand up to practice normally, but is there a correct way to sit?
I found I had to sit at an angle perched at the edge of the chair to see the music. (I was to the right of my partner).

Thanks

I think you've more or less self-diagnosed your reasons for the pain.

Only attended two rehearsals - even if you didn't realise it, in the concert you were staring at the music like a rabbit staring into headlights. Outcome: neck, shoulder and back tension.

Not used to playing the violin while sitting down - something of a knack to sitting and playing the violin. Occasionally sit down to practice and learn to find what position is comfortable for you. Put the music stand in awkward places - as a violin desk would be - and learn to find a comfortable way of sitting to play. Make sure the chair you are sat on (in a concert and rehearsal/practice) does not have a seat that is sloping backwards. At a concert hall it's perfectly ok to ask the stage crew to put wood blocks under the back legs of the chair. This will tilt the seat forwards and offer a more natural position and support for your back.

It's all about stamina - physical and mental. Do an occasional extended practice period sitting down - without any real rest between pieces - that way you'll gradually become more accustomed to having to concentrate for maybe an hour without a break and also, your body will learn to adjust to the extra physical demands you are placing on it.

As a general conclusion, back problems are a huge issue for full-time orchestral string players. Sat night after night for one and a half to two hours at a time. Mahler 6 and Bruckner 8 are just two examples of back and shoulder killers! Imagine how we feel after 6 hours of Wagner..........

I know the feeling... Though I've played sitting down a lot and I've got more used to it....
Make sure the music stand isn't too high/low when you start playing - if you move it and your desk partner doesn't like it, they'll yjust have to move it back
I suppose if you sit up straight you can sit further back on your seat and still use the back of the chair without slumping.

Supposedly you're meant to play the violin with your legs apart so the bow goes between them! I've had a couple of desk partners who do this, but I've never tried it - they were guys, so I suppose they wouldn't care

You shouldn't have to suffer! I played for 18 hrs over two days in March and had my wrist in a suport bandage afterwards...

have you thought about looking into Alexander Technique?

This may help some of the problems which you may not actually be aware that you are doing.

Hmm...Thanks for all your advice. I shall try practicing sitting a bit more and trying the stand at different angles to get used to it. I don't envy you string players having to play for hours on end - makes me relieved that I'm a woodwind player really

It's actually correct to sit fairly well forward and not use the back of the seat.

I know, I know but if your back's really hurting...

I also agree... I was on an orchestra residential this week and in the first half of the week was in a fair amount of pain from 5+ hours of playing a day, but I had an Alexander Technique session mid-week which really helped.
However I know this can be pretty expensive, I was lucky to get a free session. I think the main points to think about are not tensing up while you play and making sure that you are relaxing in to good posture rather than tensing in to sitting up straight... if that makes sense

I also know the feeling. In fact I wrote about it some while back on the forum. I just hate sitting down to play because I need my whole body to be upright and balanced. Sitting down cramps you. However one trick I do know (although I only do this at home) is to lie on my back on the floor. Start in a sitting up position, put your arms gently on your shoulders, take a deep breath and just quickly but gently unfurl your upper body along the floor like a catapiller (except I can't spell it!- one of those wiggly things in the garden). You hear the cracks of released tension! Wonderful. Thing I'll do it now. It's good after the computer also.