Abstract: A violin, viola or the like shoulder rest has a firm elongated base (21,81) provided at each end thereof with an upwardly projecting support of a clamping assembly (38-41; 88-90; 96-98) for securement of the shoulder rest to a violin or viola. The supports are firmly held by the base but are foldable such that the clamps (38-41; 88-90; 96-98) are pivoted toward each other and on top of the base (21, 81) into a generally flush arrangement with the top surface (22) of the base to facilitate storage of the shoulder rest when not in use. Two preferred embodiments are dislosed.

Abstract: A violin or the like shoulder rest is disclosed, wherein the transverse inclination of the elongated base (12, 61) relative to the clamping forks (15, 16, 93, 102) is limited to an angle of about 5.degree. to about 25.degree. to reduce the likelihood of damaging the instrument by inadvertently impacting the bottom of the violin with the edge of the base of the shoulder rest. A preferred embodiment provides the advantage of transfer of load forces from the clamping forks (93, 102) to the base (61) through bearing caps (89, 100) rather than by way of pivot pins (87, 88, 98, 99), to allow substantial reduction in size of the pivot pins. In a particularly preferred embodiment, rectangular blocks (82, 95) are pivotable each within a complementary cavity provided in the respective post at the end of the base.