Instrument Care...

Using Rosin

Why use rosin?

Without rosin, a bow will make no sound! When you draw the bow across the strings, it's the rosin that allows the bow hair to grab and create friction, making the strings vibrate and produce a musical tone.

How often should I rosin?

It's not necessary to rosin the bow every time you play your instrument because too much rosin produces a course tone. If, when you play, a cloud of white dust comes off the bow hair, you are rosining too often. However, if when you draw the bow across the strings, it barely makes any sound at all, that is a sign of not enough rosin. You should find a rosining routine that fits your own individual schedule.

How do I apply rosin?

Work in the rosin lightly along the bow hair in even strokes. You don't need to press hard or scour away! This will just stretch out bow hair and waste a lot of rosin. Rotating the rosin cake will prevent deep grooves from forming in it.

If you have a horsehair bow, rosin in the direction from the frog to the tip. If you rosin from from tip to frog, you will wipe off the little burrs on the horsehair.

Perspiration, dirt, grease and the oils from your fingertips prevent bow hair from taking and holding the rosin. So for good playability, don't touch the bow hair or the rosin cake. If the bow hair becomes dirty and doesn't hold the rosin, or if the rosin becomes excessive, bring your bow in for cleaning.