WIN THESE: a Set of Poly-Pads!!!!

10/27/2016

The Poly-Pads by Michael Kimber are one of my favorite shoulder pads because they have an additional curve in the design that other foam pads do not include and are very economical. Michael runs a great business, they always arrive quickly and he was kind enough to donate an entire set to Music for Young Violinists for our October GIVEAWAY CONTEST!!! When I first moved to Oregon 9 years ago I bought a Poly-Pad in every size and it has been so helpful in individually fitting each student so I know these will be a benefit to 1 lucky violin teacher.

To WIN simply write in the blog comments below what your favorite shoulder pad(s) are and why. Winner will be chosen at random November 20. Thanks!

To Visit the Poly-Pad website click HERE.

90 Comments

Colleen Snyder

10/30/2016 05:41:53 pm

I like the Everest shoulder rests - reasonable cost and they stay on the instrument!

Heather

10/31/2016 09:08:37 am

Thank you Colleen!

Ingrid Peters link

10/30/2016 06:10:11 pm

The viva for students - or just a piece of green foam

Heather

10/31/2016 09:09:02 am

Thank you Ingrid!

Bon Música for myself, but I REALLY love poly-pads for my ever growing young students! link

10/30/2016 06:34:01 pm

Heather

10/31/2016 09:09:19 am

Thank you!

Anne Marie

10/30/2016 06:40:08 pm

I find the polypads work best, both for my growing students. I like bon musica for myself. I have a long neck.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:09:35 am

Thank you Anne!

Rachel Hay

10/30/2016 06:43:41 pm

My studio uses Kun and Everest about equally.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:09:55 am

Thanks Rachel!

Anne Marie

10/30/2016 06:44:58 pm

I forgot to mention why I like the above-mentioned shoulder rests:

Polypads have a great contour and compress to the shape of a little body. Bon Musica is great for me because the metal pieces bend to my shape. It allows me to play for long periods of time with no neck fatigue and no shoulder tension.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:10:15 am

Thanks Anne Marie!

Beth

10/30/2016 06:46:49 pm

I like the Everest should rest the best right now. My husband like it too but we're happy as long as the kids have one!

Heather

10/31/2016 09:10:35 am

Thank you Beth!

Annie

10/30/2016 06:53:06 pm

I love my artino - does a great job conforming to my shoulder and clavicle and it has helped me immensely with my posture, reducing pain when playing, and giving me freedom that my previous shoulder rest did not give me.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:10:55 am

Thank you Annie!

Irene

10/30/2016 07:03:27 pm

Bonmusica has been my favorite, but this summer, some students came back from Utah institute with polypads and now I'm slowly converting everyone over to polypads! They're brilliant!

Heather

10/31/2016 09:11:10 am

Thank you Irene!

Sarah

10/30/2016 07:06:06 pm

I tried poly-pads with my older students on the recommendation of a colleague years ago and loved them! When I began teaching at a different school our school store ordered blue shaped sponges from a violin shop (not sure what brand, 6 different sizes) and they worked well except the left side under the chin rest was too tall for many students. I shaved off a lot of sponges, haha! I recently moved, and re-discovered poly-pads at a local violin shop as I've been starting to build a new studio. I was so excited to find many more small sizes now available and the extra curve is AWESOME! I am a stickler when it comes to balanced setup and with the poly-pad I've been able to more easily fit new students without having to do so much sponge "surgery" during lessons. SO grateful! I personally use a Viva professional shoulder rest and tend to recommend Kun and Viva to students who need a firmer support like I do.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:11:26 am

Thank you Sarah!

Virginia Lamboley link

10/30/2016 07:14:47 pm

Bon Musical and Acting for my viola, green foam pads that I cut myself for students, and upgrade to Kun if needed. Love the polypads, too!

Heather

10/31/2016 09:11:43 am

Thank you Virginia!

Elizabeth link

10/30/2016 07:28:12 pm

I live the shape and contour of poly pad for students but I like the consistency of the black soft shoulder support and I never know the name. They are black but they are not spongy. More thickness. I wish there were large ones made out of what those small red circle sponges are made of.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:11:57 am

Thank you Elizabeth!

Sarah Lang

10/30/2016 07:37:27 pm

Michael Kimber's poly-pads are my favorite shoulder rests! They are the most comfortable shoulder rests I've ever used, or recommended for my students.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:12:21 am

Thank you Sarah for your commet!

Crystal

10/30/2016 08:54:18 pm

We just started using foam pads for shoulder rests for my 5 and 7 year old beginning violinists. I love my Kuhn should rest for my viola.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:12:42 am

Thank you Crystal!

Brecklyn link

10/30/2016 09:12:37 pm

I love my wolf primo shoulder rest, and my playonair. I have recently tried the acousta-grip and was surprised at how much I liked it!

Heather

10/31/2016 09:12:58 am

Thank you Brecklyn!

Charlie Savot

10/30/2016 10:00:02 pm

I've tried just about every shoulder pad made, both for students and myself. I currently use an Everest for my own viola. It doesn't fall off easily. I've found that kids have a tendency to break the feet by pushing them onto the instrument too far. Back to poly pads!

Heather

10/31/2016 09:13:22 am

Thanks Charlie and I appreciate the warning about the Everest feet.

Lindsey Crouch

10/30/2016 10:02:22 pm

I tried out several a few years ago, and Everest felt best to me (and happily it happened to be the cheapest). I usually shy away from foam rests for students, but mostly because it seems more difficult to get a good fit--I'd be super interested to experiment with the poly pads.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:13:42 am

Thanks Lindsey!

Christina

10/30/2016 11:01:25 pm

I have recently purchased Poly Pads for some students. They are fairly young students and they love their new shoulder rests because they are very comfortable, definitely provides the support they need to lift of their instruments and is also easy to store away in their cases. I tried it myself and found it very supportive and comfortable.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:14:01 am

Thanks Christina!

Nicola miller

10/31/2016 02:23:30 am

I love poly pads for my students and more importantly my students love them. They are affordable and shaped perfectly for growing students.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:14:15 am

Thanks Nicola!

Jacqueline

10/31/2016 03:00:13 am

For the beginners I use sponge or a poly pad style pad (can't remember the brand name). They are easier to fit on and they will adjust to all shapes and sizes. When they get to full size or 3/4 Kun or Wolf. I have tried them all but they are the best I think and you only spend the money once.

Heather

10/31/2016 09:14:34 am

Thanks Jacqueline!

Ruth Furniss link

10/31/2016 03:13:57 am

By far, the best shoulder rests are those which allow pupils to have equal support and freedom, and conform to their unique body/shoulder shape. Answer? A sponge shoulder rest! I LOVE the polypads but living in the UK, my pupils also use similar shaped sponges made by a sofa manufacturer. My own shoulder rest is a shaped sponge! Until they make a Ruth-shaped shoulder rest, I shall continue with the sponge ones! Most of my older pupils also express preference to the sponges 😃🎻

Heather

10/31/2016 09:14:48 am

Thanks Ruth!

Trish De Orio

10/31/2016 04:22:05 am

For me and my students that are shifting I love the Kun, but for my beginners I love the poly pads

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:15:00 am

Thanks Trish!

Elizabeth

10/31/2016 04:47:18 am

I use kun and Everest with my students. Sometimes I have a student who is difficult to fit for a shoulder rest and we end up using those red cosmetic sponges stacked on top of each other. I've never had a poly pad!

10/31/2016 09:15:21 am

Thanks for the comment Elizabeth!

Denise Burcham

10/31/2016 05:05:31 am

I often recommend the Poly Pads for young beginning students. They are easy to use and store and the curve fits their shoulders comfortably. Their price is attractive for parents getting first time set ups for their growing child.
I personally use the Conford shoulder rest. It is a bit heavy but it fits my shoulder perfectly and never slips.

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:15:41 am

Thanks Denise!

Carla Arnold

10/31/2016 06:28:43 am

I use a variety of shoulder rests. As I teach an after school group of twenty beginners, sometime sponges are all we dan afford. Sometimes an Evergreen is afforded.

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:15:55 am

Thanks Carla for the comment!

Carole Kane

10/31/2016 06:37:14 am

My students generally use a Fom, shoulder rest, which is similar to a Kun, but many kids with shorter necks, muscular shoulders, or short jawlines need a lower option and the Poly-Pads are perfect!

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:16:08 am

Thanks Carole!

Judy Olmstear-O'Regan

10/31/2016 07:08:00 am

I like the poly-pads for my youngest students because they are soft and stay on the instrument well.

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:17:00 am

Thanks Judy! Nice to hear from you :)

Sarah Cote

10/31/2016 07:17:40 am

I always like the foam shoulder rest best for my younger students. It allows for more movement and flexibility in the shoulder joint

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:17:24 am

Thanks Sarah - I have the same philosophy. Best wishes, H

Erin

10/31/2016 07:25:24 am

I use a polypad myself and they work great for most of my students too. I've also used a bonmusica that worked well. There's just something about the flexibility of a sponge to keep the rest of the body feeling flexible, too. I would love a set that my students could try out as they grow!

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:18:00 am

Thanks Erin! YES, one that would grow with the student would be wonderful :)

Sarah

10/31/2016 08:14:23 am

I use the Everest for students because it is good quality for the cost.

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:18:24 am

Thanks Sarah - I just discovered these and they are a great success.

Jessica Waite

10/31/2016 08:50:52 am

I use the Kun myself and love it. My students use Everest and Kun for the most part. I have purchased some of the foam type pads before and tried them with students who need something a little different.

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:18:37 am

Thanks Jessica!

Jessica Waite

10/31/2016 08:54:57 am

Oops, I forgot to say why I like the Kun! I love it for the support it gives me and the durability. The Everest is good for students because it is affordable and generally does the job needed. However if it's possible I like them to have the Kun, because they just last longer and they seem to be designed better.

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:19:15 am

Thanks Jessica - the Everest is really popular.

Carmen

10/31/2016 08:59:40 am

I use the AcoustaGrip sponge & what I love about it is that is doesn't slip like other sponges I've used (it sticks to the instrument) & it doesn't require a rubber band. A lot of my students also like the AcoustaGrip or the Everest. I've never tried a polypad!

Heather Figi

10/31/2016 09:19:41 am

Thanks Carmen! I have never heard of the Acousta Grip and will look this up.

Dr. MJ Zank

10/31/2016 10:08:25 am

Still love the Resonans. But for smaller players the PolyPad is great.

Heather Figi

11/1/2016 07:57:03 am

Thanks so much for entering. I have never heard of the Resonans but will look into this. Heather

Laura Klein

10/31/2016 10:16:53 am

LOVE the Poly-Pads! Use them for all of my students and they really encourage a nice, relaxed posture and comfortable playing position.

Heather Figi

11/1/2016 07:56:24 am

Thanks Laura!

Maren

10/31/2016 11:28:23 am

I love polypads for most kids. The way they're contoured seems to be very comfortable and provide good support while still encouraging mobility.

Heather Figi

11/1/2016 07:56:11 am

Thanks Maren!

Juile link

10/31/2016 11:46:15 am

I use memory foam pads with flannel holders that I make for the young beginners then move to the mini Kuns and then to Everest if they have a longer neck.

Heather Figi

11/1/2016 07:55:08 am

What a fantastic idea to use memory foam!!! Would you be interested in taking a picture of this and writing a short blog post for how you do this? Thanks for the consideration, Heather

Heidi

10/31/2016 01:58:22 pm

I like the polypads for young students, and my Suretone shoulder rest for myself.

Heather Figi

11/1/2016 07:55:40 am

Thank you Heidi for commenting. I have never heard of the Suretone and will look into this. Heather

Alison

11/1/2016 04:10:35 am

My students really do like these for their flexibility. And softness!

Heather Figi

11/1/2016 07:55:54 am

Thanks Alison!

Kat Fritz link

11/1/2016 08:53:21 am

I love how the poly pads shape to the contours of my students shoulders and how they have support and flexibility at the same time.

Heather Figi

11/3/2016 07:10:46 am

Thanks Kat!

Terry L Kristy

11/2/2016 03:35:54 pm

Virtuoso violin shoulder pad because as a violinist that plays without a shoulder rest, I couldn't find anything comfortable, but would love to try the poly pads :) ...

Heather Figi

11/3/2016 07:12:04 am

Hello,

Thanks for posting this. I had never heard of these until now and just looked them up on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/220384475/virtuoso-tm-violin-shoulder-pad-44-full

Mellisa Nill

11/3/2016 05:28:09 pm

I use a Kun, but love the Polypads for my students!

Heather Figi

11/4/2016 09:15:14 am

Thanks Melissa! I think many of us use the Poly-Pad (or some type of sponge) for our younger students but a different set-up for our selves.

Anna link

11/3/2016 07:31:13 pm

I've used Kun for myself for as long as I can remember and never plan to use anything else! It fits perfectly and provides the right amount of support. I also have many students who use Kun or Everest and like them. However, I do have a few students where a firmer rest like that doesn't work, so we have begun experimenting with foam pads. We don't have one that we really like yet, so I'd love to try the Poly Pads!

Heather Figi

11/4/2016 09:15:52 am

Hi Anna,

Thanks so much for the comment! Heather

Anniina Tikka

11/5/2016 02:34:42 pm

These are amazing! My little students and their tiny shoulders will be happy with these!

Heather Figi

11/7/2016 07:48:32 pm

Thanks Annilina!

Paige Anderson

11/7/2016 12:44:35 pm

I have used both Kun and Everest and have liked both for different reasons. I have never heard of Polypads until now and I am so excited to start using them in my studio! I have many students who haven't seemed to find a shoulder rest that works and I know these will do the trick!

Heather Figi

11/7/2016 07:48:46 pm

Thanks Paige!

WIN THESE: a Set of Poly-Pads!!!!

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