Violin Pro-Hold
Maintains Your Best
Holding Position
Susanne Woolley, String Music Instructor, Oklahoma ECU
What is Violin Pro-Hold?
Violin Pro-Hold is an adjustable magnetic stability assistant designed for violin and viola players. It is not a replacement for good posture or a proper chin rest and shoulder setup—instead, it is a powerful tool that works in tandem with your current gear to help keep your instrument from slipping, reduce the downward force needed to hold it, and significantly alleviate stress on your head, neck, and shoulder muscles.
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Targeted Slip Reduction: Helps prevent your instrument from slipping or sliding out of position on your shoulder.
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Muscular Relief: Pro-Hold can greatly reduce chin or jaw pressure, but does not eliminate it. Slight downward pressure on the chin rest is still necessary, especially during fast playing and shifting up and down the neck with your fingering hand.
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Satisfying Positioning: Your instrument "clicks" right into your custom sweet spot and can be easily removed by lifting off your shoulder.
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Fully Adjustable: Pro-Hold is designed to accommodate all body shapes and sizes and fit all violin and viola shoulder-rest models.
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Shirt Fit Matters: The more form-fitting your shirt, the more stable your violin or viola will be. Loose-fitting shirts, blouses, or tops with open shoulders will allow the fabric and anchor to shift easily, reducing the tool's effectiveness.
How it Works & Installation
1. Prep Your Shoulder Rest
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Component C (RestMag): Wrap this soft, flexible, Velcro-like strap tightly around your existing shoulder rest. Fasten the hook-and-loop in the back and trim away any excess strap with scissors.
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Comfort Tip: The slight magnetic protrusion nestles directly into foam-padded rests.
2. Lock In Your Clothing Anchor
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The Sandwich Method: To secure the MagBase (A) strip in the position that works best for you, you must apply magnets to both sides of your shirt fabric.
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For 1 Light Shirt Layer: Place the black MagBase (A) strip under your shirt against your shoulder. Ensure the white dot is facing up and forward. From the outside of your shirt, attach the SecureMag (B) disk directly over the rear two white dots to lock the MagBase in place.
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For 2 Shirt Layers: Place the MagBase(A) strip under or between your shirt layers, orienting it so two white dots face up and forward to maximize magnetic strength through thicker fabric. Sandwich the shirt fabric by placing the SecureMag (B0 disk either between the two shirts or under the lower shirt and attach to the two forward dots of the MagBase strip.
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Shipping & Bulk Rates:
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Standard delivery within the U.S. arrives in 3–5 days.
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Buy 5 or more systems to unlock automatic wholesale pricing for your store, studio or classroom (U.S. only).
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International: Email us for a custom international shipping quote to your country.
Testimonials
"It definitely helps keep the violin from wandering out of position while I play, which has long been an issue to me. The need to reposition while playing has always been annoying and distracting. The magnet system works well. The Pro-Hold lets me give more attention to the music." — Brian Wood
"I have a 12 year old student who was not keeping her violin on her shoulder, so I had her try the Pro-Hold and it was an instant fix. She likes it and says its easy to use."
— Betty Schoonover, Schoonover String Studio
"It always locks in, and doesn't come undone until I want it to. I do like it, and it feels good knowing it's not going anywhere when I'm moving around or taking a break or reaching for something when I don't want to put it down. So, thank you for that quality it has for sure!"
— Barry Hartzell
"The best feature in my opinion is its flexibility. The fact that it attaches to one's clothing allows movement through a range of expressive motion without fear that the instrument will drift out of position! Thank you for a wonderful addition to the world of violin playing." — Greg Badigian
Greg Badigian, Product Review for FiddleHangout.com
"This tool will help you relax and feel more secure. It's a wonderful tool whether you're a non-professional or professional player.”
— Susanne Wooley, ECU String Instructor
"I purchased Pro-Hold several weeks ago and it’s been a great aid in supporting the instrument. It’s a simple, elegant solution to a nagging problem that I and many other players may experience. Pro-Hold is very comfortable and extremely secure without being static. When you raise the violin into place, it attaches itself with a very satisfying “click”. It’s such a relief, be able to adjust my positioning from time to time with confidence, knowing that the instrument will not move out of place." — Greg Badigian
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it completely stop shoulder slip? No. Violin Pro-Hold significantly reduces how much your shoulder rest slips. A form fitting shirt will be the most effective at reducing, but not completely stopping movement. Pro-Hold is an extremely useful tool that operates in combination with a high-quality shoulder rest and proper chin rest setup.
As an adult learner, I struggle with a stiff neck and shoulders. Will the Pro-Hold help me?
Yes. Adult bodies don't adapt to awkward physical strains as easily as young students. If your instrument is slipping, your natural reaction is to clamp down hard with your jaw, locking up your neck and upper back muscles. The Violin Pro-Hold provides a reliable magnetic "catch" that significantly lightens that load. By taking the constant, heavy friction struggle away from your shoulder, it allows your upper body to remain much more relaxed during practice.
Will it hold during aggressive, fast playing?
Yes, provided you maintain basic technique. While the specialized super magnets will hold your violin or viola firmly in place on your shoulder, mild downward chin/jaw pressure is still needed to counteract slight shifts due to massive hand movements and rapid shifts down the fingerboard.
Who should NOT use Violin Pro-Hold?
Safety Warning: Do not use this magnetic product if you utilize an electronic cardiac implant, pacemaker, ICD, heart monitor, or defibrillator. If you have any medical concerns regarding magnets, please consult your physician before use.
Will this work with my specific shoulder rest?
Yes. Violin Pro-Hold is designed to adapt to and wrap around virtually all major violin and viola shoulder rest models.
Is it good for all ages and skill levels?
Absolutely. For beginners, it builds early confidence by anchoring correct, balanced posture before bad habits form. For professionals, it mitigates cumulative vocal, jaw, and neck stress during long rehearsal hours and may help prevent injuries.
Does it restrict my movement? I’m worried about feeling locked into one position.
Not at all. In fact, it provides more freedom. Because the MagBase attaches directly to your clothing, the system moves fluidly with your body's natural expressive motion rather than acting like a rigid, static clamp. You can shift your weight and move your head naturally.
I practice in loose, comfortable loungewear at home. Will the Pro-Hold still work?
To be completely honest, loose clothing will greatly reduce its effectiveness. The Pro-Hold relies entirely on fabric tension to stay stable against your shoulder. If you wear a loose t-shirt, baggy blouse, or open-shoulder shirt, the fabric itself will shift when you move, causing the instrument to move with it. For the best results during home practice, we highly recommend wearing a relatively form-fitting shirt or a knit top that hugs your neck and shoulder.
About Us: Born Out of Necessity
Proudly manufactured in Oklahoma, USA, the Violin Pro-Hold is the result of a personal journey toward injury recovery.
Following a neck injury, inventor and violinist Ken Ruhnke needed a way to play and reduce neck tension and pain. Inspired by violinist Daniel Kurganon, who experimented with magnets and a rubber band to help hold his violin, Ken set out to design a refined, professional consumer product.
Ken experimented to arrive at key components and optimized the materials for lightweight ergonomic comfort and magnetic strength while working with engineers at the Oklahoma State University New Product Development Center.
During his neck rehabilitation, Dr. Yein Lee, D.O. (Physician at the Texas Center for Performing Arts Health) recognized the vast potential of Ken's invention. As a violinist herself, Dr. Lee immediately realized how effectively this system could help prevent performance injuries, alleviate tension, and assist her own clinical clients.
Today, our commitment is simple: helping string players of all generations stay relaxed, healthy, and inspired.
Stores that carry Violin Pro-Hold
OKLAHOMA
Music Depot, 580-226-0373, 226 W Main Street, Ardmore OK 73401 (Sells Pro-Hold)
Oklahoma Strings Violin Shop, 405-789-4672, 5013 N Rockwell Ave, Bethany, OK 72008 (sells Pro-Hold)
Running Dogs Music, 918-505-3131, 169 S. Aspen Ave, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012 (sells Pro-Hold)
Gilliam Music, 405-321-0080, 2280 W Main, Norman, OK 73116 (ask the violin teacher for a demonstration)
KANSAS
McHugh Violin, Look@mcfiddles.com, 1620 Geo Washington Blvd
Wichita, KS 67211 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Palen Music, 316-262-1487, 2300 E Lincoln St, Wichita, KS 67211
(ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Wichita Violin Shop, (316) 684-1031, wbic@wichitaband.com, 2525 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS (ask to try Pro-Hold)
Damm Music Center, 316-773-9060, Westlink Shopping Center, 8945 W Central Ave, Wichita KS (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
KC Strings, 913-677-0400, info@kcstrings.com, 5842 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS 66203 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
4Bill’s Violin Shop, 816-453-6955, rocknb44@att.net, 4838 N Smalley Ave Kansas City, MO 64119-4235 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Wyatt Violin Shop, 816-252-5656, 2418 East R D Mize Road, Independence, MO, 64057 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Manning Music, 3400 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 666606, (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Meyer Music, North Kansas City, 6312 NW Barry Rd #14, Kansas City, MO 64154 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Beautiful Music Violin Shop, 785) 856-8755, Hillcrest Shopping Center, 925 Iowa St i, Lawrence, KS 66044 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
NEBRASKA
Violins of Omaha, 402-301-7687, violinsofomaha.com, 1301 Nicholas St, #105, Omaha, NE 68102 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Amesquita Violins, 402-551-0209, 1029 N 72nd St, Omaha, NE 68114 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Dietze Music, 800-357-1535, 13015 W Central Rd, Omaha, NE 68102 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Schmitt Music, 402-391-5888, 7355 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68114
(ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Malliard House Inc, 402-895-1221,, 5053 S 136th St, Omaha, NE 68137 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Hargiss Stringed Instruments, 402-558-9551, 4002 Hamilton St, Omaha, NE 68131 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
IOWA
Becker Fine Stringed Instruments, 515) 274-9420, play@beckerfineinstruments.com, 6567 University Ave, Windsor Heights, IA 50324 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Uptempo Music, 515-277-0145, 2714 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Hoshaw Fine Violins, 435 Main St, Randall, IA 50231
(ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
MINNESOTA
Groth Music Company, 952) 884-4772, 8056 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Fein Violins, Violas, Cellos, 651) 228-0783, 1850 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Clair Givens Violins, 612) 375-0708, 1201 S Marquette Ave #150, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Dipper Restorations, 612) 375-0750, 1201 S Marquette Ave suite 150-a, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
Quinn Violins, 651) 440-9871, 550 Vandalia St Suite 216, St Paul, MN 55114 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)
House of Note, 952) 929-0026, 7202 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55426 (ask to try demo Pro-Hold)