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Rosin, What is it? Why do I need it?

Rosin is made from conifer (evergreen) trees.  Some rosins will smell like a Christmas Tree after you apply it to your bow.  It will not hurt your fingers or your clothes.  But it can hurt the varnish on your violin, so make sure that you wipe down your instrument after each play.

In the summer I tend to use Light Rosin*, as it works better in the high humidity in our area.  I won't recommend a particular brand, but I do like Hill brand from England.  Light Rosin tends to be harder, and won't get as sticky in the heat of the summer months.

 

I switch over to Dark Rosin* in the dryer air seasons.  It's a bit softer, and adheres better.


 

Price DOES matter.   Cheap one dollar rosin will not be the best quality.    But Rosin does not need to be a break the bank product.  $12-$20 will be a better quality rosin and it will last.

Some educators say you must knick up the rosin the first time you use it.  I personally have never done this, I heard my first teacher tell my Grandfather that it was a fallacy started by the rosin manufacturing companies so that you went through more rosin!    The horsehair on the bow has miniscule hairs (microscope visible) and the rosin will adhere to the hair as you go across it.  So I will continue to NOT knick my rosin and you do what feels right to you.

Rosin will help with sound projection and tone by helping the bow hair grab onto your violin strings. 


*as an Amazon associate we will receive a small percentage of the purchase price if you click through our link (at no extra charge to you)

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