What is the reason that the musicians began to play violin on the shoulder and not over the knees?

Question

My question is because is very uncomfortable to play that instrument between the neck and shoulder, and the medieval ancestors of the violin were played over the knees, and that ia a very good way to play whitout pain.

Answer 1

well im not exactly sure but i think it has something to do with its size same with viola it used to be played in between the knees but it was a little bigger. so the instrument size changed and so did the holding position.

Answer 2

It would be quite awkward playing over the knees, and you would end up hitting yourself in the nuts.

Answer 3

Two reasons - the violin was developed to project over the sound of other instruments, so the shoulder position raised it up. Also, the back of the violin produces a lot of sound (due to the sound post) so the shoulder position frees the back to vibrate freely. A second main reason is the short neck makes intonation more critical - so the shoulder position lets you see your finger position, so you're not completely dependent on feel.