Rosin

What is the quality of rosin?

Rosin is a naturally sticky substance, made from pine sap, whose main purpose is to make the horse hair/synthetic material rougher.1, 4, 6, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25 Additional ingredients are sometimes added to allow the rosin to create even more friction. These being precious metals such as: silver, gold, lead-silver and copper.10, 23, 24 It comes in 2 physical forms, round cake or in a wooden block.23, 24 Determining which rosin to pick depends on the repertoire you play and the environment you live in.23, 24

The seasons the rosins are collected in determine its colour and consistency.24

Dark – more for those who live in dry climates. Too sticky for those surrounded by hot/humid weather.10, 23, 24

Light – mainly for people surrounded by humid atmosphere. This rosin is a lot denser, not as sticky.10, 23, 24

How does it affect its performance?

Different types of rosin available are: student, professional; these come in light and dark.

Student grade – grittier sound, suitable for beginners and fiddlers.10, 24

Professional grade – yields smoother, richer, more controlled tone as it is often the one with additional precious metals, and it doesn’t produce as much powder as student grade…suitable for classical players.10, 24

[1] Heron-Allen. Ed, Violin Making: As it was and is, 1885

[4] Stowell. R, The Cambridge Companion to the Violin, 1995

[6] http://illumin.usc.edu/73/the-violin-the-art-behind-the-sound/, 2005

[10] http://www.violinwizard.com/violin_parts.html, 2012

[11] http://www.theviolinsite.com/history.html, n.d

[23] http://www.renstrings.com/Violin-Luthier-Insight/bows.html , 2010

[24] Coggins, Alan. Year 12 Research Project. 2015. Email

[25] Kulafrone, Ruth. Updated Research Project Questions. 2015. Email