When your dad is NOT a musician 😖😵💫🤯🤪
So here is all about the rosin from an article written by Antoni Ruschil: Rosin is resin from certain trees that has been hardened. Rosin for the violin is manufactured by heating the liquid until it becomes solidified. It becomes almost glass-like, with shades of orange and has a smell resembling pine trees.
Some companies add extra materials and who claim a ‘unique recipe.’
For example, some makers add gold flakes to give it a warmer sound. You may also find silver added, which gives the strings an extra brightness. A rare addition is copper, which adds extra depth.
A good Rosin will make a difference to the way the bow helps to make the sound. If the hair on the bow lacks a sticky feel, it won’t grip the strings. There will be no real contact between the bow and the strings. In other words, the strings won’t vibrate and won’t produce very much sound.
A cheap Rosin can ruin the sound of your violin. It will also leave an excess of dust.
What are the options?
There are three principal kinds of Rosin. Dark, Amber, and Light.
So what is the difference? You can define them, but there is sometimes a little bit of an overlap, and because of the way they are manufactured by individual companies, the definitions can become blurred.
Light Rosin
Light Rosin is much harder. It is sometimes known as the “Rosin for summer.” However, this is a slight misnomer. It doesn’t melt easily, so that’s why the description has stuck.
Light Rosin is not as sticky as the other varieties, so it leaves less on the bow. This, in turn, makes it easier to clean the violin after use. Light Rosin is often best for players new to the instrument, though, of course, that isn’t always the case.
Dark Rosin
This is known as “Rosin for winter” because it can melt in hot temperatures. Dark Rosin tends to be used by experienced and professional players.
It is stickier and will give a much richer tone from the bow. You do tend to get a bit more dust than Light Rosin. This can be a consideration for players who might be affected by dust in the air.
Amber Rosin
Amber Rosin sits in the middle, as the name implies. Experienced players down to fresh-faced amateurs use it and recognise the benefits.
Written By Antoni Ruschil
My dad also said, "you're not going to pay $50 for rosin! Are you nuts?! I can buy a whole case from China for $50." What would Antoni Ruschil think about that comment? Lol!