I'm sure I should know this but, does anyone have an 'idiot's guide' to how to fix a loose chinrest?

W

no, but you need the little metal key for it, or you could use something else just as small but be careful not to scratch violin with it (even with little key if you put it in too far it will scratch violin or viola whatever).

with the key, stick it in little holes that you see on metal frame of chin rest on side of violin (or viola) and turn, one way it will get looser, the other tighter. Don't over-tighten. Also make sure the chin rest does not touch the tail-piece.

whatever you do, do it in little steps and very carefully, I used to be over confident and ended up with little mis-haps I could have avoided if only I took my time

Old-fashioned hair grip or hair pins are just fine, or a metal cake tester. There should normally be bits of cork between the chinrest itself and the violin and between the part that goes under the violin and the violin. They act a bit like a washer when you tighten a screw and help to prevent the chinrest slipping and protect to a certain extent against damage to your violin from overtightening, so check that that's still there and hasn't fallen out. Then line up the chinrest exactly where you want it and gradually tighten up by putting your improvised chinrest key (hairpin etc) in the little holes and turning. You'll quickly get the hand of what you are doing. Just make sure that no part of your chinrest now touches any part of the tail piece otherwise you will get a very annoying vibration and buzz when you play. Move the chinrest if necessary.

Tighten it up just enough so that it the chinrest doesn't move but not so tightly that you risk crushing and damaging your instrument.

If you have lost either of the cork cushions the best bet is to either pop into a local luthiers and get some more, or else order another chinrest. Basic ones are not expensive and can easily be ordered online if you do a quick search.

Good luck,
M

Thank you - that's very helpful. I will give it a try...

W

When my teacher doesn't have a chinrest key, she un-bends a paperclip and uses that

Yes! Paperclips too!!!

Or any good Swiss Army Knife; I never leave home without one.