The Balanced Shoulder Rest liberates violinists from the limitations of holding the violin. It uses the physics of a simple lever to counterbalance the weight of the instrument. A flexible, weighted aluminum arm wraps gently around the upper torso, lightly but securely spreading the load over the shoulder, chest, and upper back. Adjustable connecting screws allow the musician to maneuver the instrument into optimum playing position and fine-tune it for comfort. The violin stays securely in place without help from the hands or chin, but it remains mobile and responsive to the player’s movements.