Chinrest Models--The Frisch and Denig Difference?

Frisch and Denig’s inspiration for their chinrest models comes from the teachings and writings of Paul Rolland, one of the last century’s greatest pedagogues. Rolland believed that “It is better to have a good chinrest than a bad shoulder pad.” While teaching at the University of Illinois, Rolland was known to regularly take away hard shoulder pads and would find a chinrest shape that suited each of his students. He knew that the body functioned in a more balanced way because it was unhindered by the hard shoulder pad and an ill-fitting chinrest.

Rolland wrote about chinrests in his book The Teaching of Action in String Playing (published by ASTA, page 62), "Skin irritations result when the jawbone presses on a high ridge. Therefore, the chinrest should have a low point… The high ridge on the right side of the rest fits inside the jawbone [the soft palate], which pulls it toward the neck for a secure hold.” He also stated on the same page that, “A downward slope of the chinrest directs the chin pressure toward the back of the rest (toward the player’s neck) to provide good leverage. A chinrest with a surface that rises in the direction of the scroll should be avoided.”

Concerning which chinrest shape to choose, Rolland further wrote (also on page 62), “The player with a large and fleshy jaw should use a broad, flat chinrest. Its large contact surface enables this player to support the instrument mainly through friction [of the jaw] with the chinrest.” For those with long necks: “The player with a long neck requires a high chinrest.”

Shown above is the Hamburg model chinrest, the newest model in the Frisch and Denig line of one-piece chinrests. Shown from the top and from the back, these models include a non-lifted version (on the left) and graduated heights beginning at 5 mm and ending with a 25 mm version on the right.

Frisch and Denig chinrests reflect Rolland’s tenets in chinrests and teaching; a fit according to the player’s neck height, a contour tailored to the shape of the player’s jaw, and coaching according to Rolland principles of posture and positioning. Good neck and shoulder health, comfort and longevity in playing, and beauty in sound are made easier by a good-fitting chinrest.

Chinrest Models Suitable for Jaws having a Prominent Chin:

For a further discussion of jaw types and appropriate chinrest shapes, please see Chinrest Choice Based on Jaw Shape under Resources.

		The Brandt Chinrest The most diminutive in height of the chinrests offered by Frisch and Denig, the Brandt, offers players a well defined but not-too-high ridge for security in shifts down. This style of chinrest is best suited to individuals who have mildly-protruding chins. The pictured chinrest is made of rosewood.
		The Donaldson Chinrest The Donaldson chinrest, due to its prominent ridge, represents another of the chinrests that are best suited to people who have prominent chins. The Donaldson’s plate size is between the Brandt and the largest chinrest, the Teka. In its natural, non-lifted height, the chinrest is taller than the Brandt, but not as high as the Teka. This chinrest, as seen here, is made from ebony.
		The Teka Chinrest Even in its non-lifted version, the Teka is the highest of all the chinrests offered by Frisch and Denig. This chinrest is best suited to those whose jaws are angular (like an inverted triangle) and whose chins are prominent. Such people who also play over the tailpiece tend to like this model. It position is nearly over the tailpiece to begin with. The wood here is ebony.

Chinrests Suited for Players with a Round, Fleshy Jaw and Receding Chin:

		The Kreisler Chinrest The Kreisler is the chinrest described by Paul Rolland as one suiting people with fleshy, non-protruding chins. Its natural, non-lifted height is best suited to people described above whose necks are short. Here, shown in boxwood, is a Kreisler lifted by 10 mm in a one-piece construction, the newest line of Frisch and Denig chinrests.
		The Gordon Chinrest The Gordon is a chinrest that offers rather round-faced players a bit of a ridge for more security in shifts down. Its natural, non-lifted height is taller than the Kreisler and about the same as the Stroebel and Turner. The wood shown here is rosewood and the chinrest here is not lifted.

Chinrests Suited for Chins that are neither too Prominent nor Receding:

		The Hamburg Chinrest The Hamburg chinrest, here shown in a lifted, 15 mm version, tends to suit many people because of its gentle ridge and rather prominent valley. People who tend to play a little over the tailpiece often gravitate to this model. Its natural, non-lifted height is taller than the Brandt but shorter than the Teka. The wood here is boxwood, the most hyper-allergenic of the woods currently available.
		The Turner Chinrest The Turner is another of the chinrests preferred by those whose jaws are not extremely angular and who do not have a particularly receding chin or a particularly prominent chin. This turner is lifted by 10 mm and is one of the newest line of one-piece constructions offered by Frisch and Denig.
		The Stroebel Chinrest The Stroebel is best suited to those whose jaws squarer . Those who do not have a particularly receding chin or a particularly prominent chin seem to find this model comfortable. Players with the preceding characteristics who tend to play a little over the tailpiece tend to gravitate to this model, as well. The wood here is boxwood, and the chinrest here is not lifted.

Woods Used in Frisch and Denig Chinrests:

Traditional chinrests are made of boxwood (orange-colored wood), ebony (black), or rosewood (dark red with black stripes). The wood that causes the fewest allergic reactions for those who have sensitive skin is boxwood. Rosewood, despite being quite beautiful, is most often sited for causing allergic reactions.

The wood one chooses is typically the same wood as the other fittings (pegs and tailpiece) on the instrument. In other words, if your fittings are boxwood (orange), then you would choose a boxwood chinrest. You will observe, though, in players around you that many people actually do choose other colors. In the end, it’s a personal choice.

Considerations When Using a Frisch and Denig Lifted Chinrest:

As of February 2009, Frisch and Denig Chinrests are made only for violins that are 3/4 and full size and violas of the same proportion and larger. Half-size instruments can occasionally be fitted with a Frisch and Denig Chinrest depending on the rib height of violin. Presently in development are fitting kits and chinrests for half-size and smaller instruments.

Recognizing that nickel-plated hardware is a problem for many players, Frisch and Denig are gradually switching all of their chinrest hardware to stainless steel.

Players who have opted for a lifted chinrest will want to be aware that some violin and viola cases will not close because of the height of their new chinrest. This means that the player must be sure to have a case that will accommodate tall chinrests or, using a chinrest key, the chinrest must be put on each time before playing and taken off when finished playing. Players who have molded cases (those in the shape of a violin or viola, especially those with the aluminum flange around lid and bottom edge) will not have much leeway in height of their chinrests and still be able to keep the chinrest on when closing the lid. Please note: Never force the lid of the case closed. Frisch and Denig take no responsibility for instrument damage due to forcing a case lid closed.