What color rosin is best for violin?
Silver rosin creates a concentrated, bright tone and is especially good for performance in higher positions. It is best suited for the violin or viola. Lead-silver rosin is well-suited for both the violin and viola and is a soft but nontacky rosin.
Can rosin damage a violin?
Excess rosin can generate a cloud of rosin dust as you play, and the sound will be harsh and scratchy. Rosin debris will fall onto the surface of the instrument and, over time, can damage the varnish and the wood.
Is dark or light rosin better for violin?
Typically light rosin should be used for your violin. Light rosin is harder, more dense and less sticky than amber or dark rosin. These properties make it ideal for the smaller gauge strings of a violin because the bow doesn’t need as much grip. There are cases though, where a dark or amber rosin may be better.
Can you touch violin rosin?
October 17, 2012 at 05:04 AM · Do not touch the rosin ! You could transfer the natural oils of your hands to the bow hair. Grease and oil on the bow hair will affect the sound.
What rosin do professional violinists use?
Pirastro Goldflex Rosin is used by professionals and features small pieces of gold inside the rosin. The inclusion of the gold allows for an extraordinarily smooth grip and a full and clear tone. The Goldflex is available for violin, viola, and cello.
How long can violin rosin last?
Additionally, your rosin should be soft enough that the bow leaves a dusty path when drawn across the block. If it remains shiny and free of dust, you are unfortunately working with old rosin. Generally, a block of rosin will last for anywhere between six months and two years.
How do you revive old rosin?
Put a quarter size amount of alcohol-based hand sanitizer or 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water in the bottom of a small Tupperware container, put the rosin in a pops rosin container with the lid open, or any other method that does not allow the rosin to touch the alcohol. Leave overnight and your rosin will be soft.
Do violin bows still use horse hair?
Most of the hair used today is processed and supplied by China. White horsehair is used for violin, viola and cello bows and some bass bows use black horsehair as it is often believed to be coarser. The quality and texture of the hair is determined by the breed of the horse, its diet and the conditions where it lives.
Does quality of rosin matter?
In addition to diminishing sound quality, darker rosin can also make a mess on your bow, strings, and the instrument’s body. Most violinists use lighter- to amber rosins to achieve smoother sounds, while bass rosin is on the softer, stickier side to provide increased friction and richer tone.
How do you revive old violin rosin?
Should you scratch your rosin?
Gently scratch the surface (“gently” is the key word here – you don’t need to press hard at all), working back and forth until the surface is dulled or scored. You shouldn’t gouge or poke the rosin. Once the glossy surface is dulled, the rosin is ready to adhere to your bow.
Can violin rosin expire?
Though a block of resin could potentially last for years without running out, it doesn’t last forever. Rosin can, in fact, go bad under typical conditions. When violin rosin expires it dries out, making it less effective at producing the desired sound.