For years, my journey as a violist had been accompanied by an unrelenting companion: the search for the perfect shoulder rest. It is a story born out of necessity, driven by a desire for comfort, stability, and a seamless connection to my viola. Little did I know, this quest would lead me to an unexpected discovery that would transform my playing experience.

My story begins in a practice room during my early days of playing the viola. Back then, my shoulder rest was a foam pad that my mother cut for me out of a couch cushion. It was functional but totally uninspiring, and as my technique improved, I began to notice its limitations. It slipped frequently, lacked proper support, and left me with an aching shoulder after my long practice sessions. It became clear that if I were to advance as a violist, I needed a better solution.

My first foray into the world of shoulder rests led me to the Resonans shoulder rest, back in the 1970s. I tried the high model, the regular model and it never really fit my desire for a really comfortable shoulder rest. I tried the playonair that was really cool because you had to inflate it and it was basically a balloon on my viola! Then came the Kun and Wolf brands. Their designs were solid, and they offered more stability than my initial rests. Yet, there was always something missing. One was too rigid, the other too bulky. They felt like compromises rather than solutions. I realized that my instrument deserved more—and so did I.

Determined, I expanded my search. I scoured magazines, forums, read countless reviews, and even sought advice from fellow violists. Each recommendation felt like a small step on the trail to discovery. The Bon Musica promised adjustability, the Everest boasted durability, and the Mach One offered sleek design. I tried them all, yet none quite matched the ideal blend of comfort, support, and freedom of movement I sought.

My frustration grew, but so did my resolve. I began to understand the nuances of what I needed: a shoulder rest that would mold to my shoulder's contours, stay securely in place during the most demanding passages, and allow my instrument to resonate freely. It wasn’t just about comfort anymore; it was about creating a true partnership between me and my viola.

One day about 8 years ago, one  of my students that had gone off to college in Canada returned with a new shoulder rest that I had never seen! This was the EFEL shoulder rest. The name was unfamiliar, almost mysterious. Intrigued, I asked him about it. He spoke of its lightweight design, ease of use, and the way it seemed to fit his body seamlessly. I decided to find this shoulder rest and ordered one from its maker.

When the EFEL shoulder rest arrived, I was struck by its simplicity and elegance. It was unlike anything I had used before. Adjusting it to fit my instrument was straightforward, and when I placed it on my shoulder for the first time, it felt… different. Not just comfortable, but intuitive, as if it had been designed with my needs in mind.

Playing with the EFEL was a revelation. The viola felt secure yet unrestricted, allowing me to focus entirely on my technique and musical expression. There were no aches nor discomforts that had plagued me for years. For the first time, my shoulder rest felt less like an accessory and more like an extension of my instrument.

I since then have recommended the EFEL to many of my students and other professionals and have found it to be the best shoulder rest out there. I made a YouTube video about it and amazingly was asked to represent this great product! So I am now proudly the distributor of the EFEL shoulder rest and stand by its virtues to this day. It is the only shoulder rest I can wholeheartedly recommend!

Looking back, my search for the perfect shoulder rest was as much about self-discovery as it was about finding the right tool. It taught me patience, perseverance, and the value of listening to my body’s needs. The EFEL shoulder rest didn’t just meet my expectations—it exceeded them, becoming an indispensable part of my musical journey.

For any violist still on the hunt for the ideal shoulder rest, my advice is this: don’t settle. The perfect fit is out there, waiting to elevate your playing and bring you closer to the music you love. For me, that perfect fit was the EFEL, and it made all the difference.