apologies if this is a silly question, but is there a difference between violin and viola chin rests?

I'm finding my viola one really uncomfortable, but I think it's just the positioning. I can shuffle around to make it more comfortable but then my posture, hold etc is really bad. The violin one on the other hand is fine, and as far as I can tell the chin rests are the same.

also, can i adjust it myself? will something really bad happen? I've tightened them often before when they've become loose and started buzzing, but I've never moved it.

thanks
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Most manufacturer's viola and violin chinrests are the same except for the depth of the brackets (owing to the higher ribs on a viola). No reason why you shouldn't move it yourself, but be careful not to over-tighten the bracket.

Sorry, not sure I follow. You've mentioned both, but are you talking about chin rests or shoulder rests?

My viola came with the same type of chinrest as my violin has, but although it works fine for me on violin, I just couldn't get on with it on the viola and so switched to a different type (in the middle rather than at the side). I now use a Flesch model on viola and Guarneri on violin, and different shoulder rest arrangements on the two as well.

Chin rests are not difficult to adjust - just don't overtighten it.

chin rests, thanks for spotting that.

i spoke to my teacher, and she says the one on the viola is very very deep, ie it has high sides which is wh its hurting my jaw. Am going to invest in a new one.

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