What is Rosin?
Rosin—colophon or colophony, as it is known to luthiers—is a resin collected from one of 110 different types of pine tree throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and New Zealand. The name colophony traces back to the ancient city of Colophon in Lydia, which produced a high-grade of resin originally used to create smoke for purposes both medical and magical.
Rosin is the substance that a violinist uses to make the hair on the bow 'sticky' -to create friction. If a bow's hair has never been rosined it will not produce sound when drawn across the strings.
Once rosined, the hair actually grips the string and pulls it but since the bow keeps moving the string snaps back to its original position where it is caught again by the rosin on the hair and the cycle is repeated. This happens very, very quickly. In the case of an A-string at about 440 times per second.
What type should I choose?
Choose between light, or amber, and dark rosin–sometimes also defined as summer (light) and winter (dark) rosin. Dark rosin is softer and is usually too sticky for hot and humid weather—it is better suited to cool, dry climates.
Supersensitive® Clarity Spectrum Rosin -Hypoallergenic click
The powder created from rosin application is sometimes irritating to players. To combat rosin allergies, some companies also now offer hypoallergenic rosin. This clear, powder-free alternative is found predominantly in cake form and creates no residue or powder when used.
To prevent rosin build up from damaging your instrument, keep a soft cloth in your instrument case and thoroughly clean your strings, your instrument, and the stick of your bow after each time you play.
Is the oldest violin a Stradivarius?
No. The oldest 'modern' pattern 4 stringed violins were made by Andrea Amati (1520-1578). Examples from the series of violins made originally for Charles IX of France and dated 1564, can be seen at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and the Tullie House Museum in Carlisle. The oldest dated Amati violin was made in 1555.
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Key Points
Rosin is processed pine resin. It is used to create friction by partially 'sticking' between the bow hair and strings.
