[Illustration]
THE CHIN–REST.—This particular form of chin–rest was an entirely
original invention of Mr. Bull. It prevents all unavoidable contact of
the violin with the body, and at the same time is itself attached to a
point of minimum vibration, the tail–pin block. Its use shows perfectly
the deadening effect of the pressure of the chin upon the top over the
end of the bar, and upon the tail–piece, and also that of the chest and
shoulder upon the back. In the original form, the chin–rest and tail–pin
were one. A small rib should run along the tail–pin, and an appropriate
slot should be cut in the hole for its reception. This prevents any
possibility of the chin–rest’s turning upon the pin while playing. Mr.
Bull designed separating the pin and rest by making the former with a
square instead of round head, and fitting the latter over it, a screw
with a wide flat head and leather washer securing the two parts. In
this way the rest could be removed without the disagreeable necessity of
unstringing the violin. Each rest ought to be specially made for the
violin it is to be applied to. This, and the necessity of some
enlargement of the violin–case, are the two possible drawbacks to its
general manufacture.