I use to play in a Fiddle show band, where we played behind our back, between the legs,and took turns bowing and fingering where we both played the same Fiddle. I had a 1/10th scale hidden in my jacket and would whip it out near the end of the show. My specialty was putting a bow upside down in the front of my pants and dragging the inverted Fiddle across it. Still play a little, but arthritis makes it uncomfortable now days. I've used foam rubber held on with rubber bands, taped on an old rolled up sock, and various other shoulder rests. I like Carbon Fiber bows the best. I treat a new bow with spray-on rosin that is meant for drum sticks and the switch to regular afterward. I love "Super Sensitive" brand strings. Any time you can play 2 strings at once and one is open is a good way to help stay in tune. If your bow bounces a lot grip it a little further away from the end. I tighten mine so that when playing hard the hair almost drags the stick. Still have my first Fiddle that I got when I was 6, also one with frets that I call my drunk proof Fiddle (I was drunk a lot).