Every violinist knows that nothing can come close to the sound of a finely tuned instrument. This is especially true when it comes to your bow, which should have an equal-length dark and light side. There are many ways to adjust this tension between the two sides of your bow, but no matter what you do, this will not be possible unless you have high-quality rosin.
The best violin rosins are normally made from pine resin, which is why they are so effective at producing a powerful sound for any instrument.
A compound that is produced from pine resin, it is generally sticky and resin-like based. The reason for this characteristic comes from the type of material used to produce rosin as well as its production process.
The violin rosin of a violin is a vital part of the instrument. Violin rosin plays a role in how your sound will sound. There are many different variances in the color and composition of rosin, so it is important to know which type will work best for you. In this blog, I’ll be discussing some of the best types of electric Violin Rosins available on the market today.
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
Violin rosin do you need? Of course, the answer is going to change depending on a number of factors, such as your playing style and the type of instrument you use. Still, it’s a question that many musicians tend to ask themselves when looking for new rosin.
1. The Dark & Light Rosin Comparison
Now that you know what to look for when buying violin rosin in general, it’s time to focus on these two categories. Before we do, let’s talk about how they differ and why they occur.
The dark rosin is usually more expensive than the light rosin. If you’ve ever visited a violin shop, chances are they will tell you that the dark is the only type of rosin your instrument needs.
2. The Dark Cocktail Contains
The Dark Rosin White Cocktail is very different from both the Dark and Light Rosin White Cocktails. It is made from a blend of soft, gummy resins specifically designed for bows. This has the same resins as the Dark Rosin Cocktail, just mixed with gelatine.
3. The Light Cocktail Contains
The light rosin is specialist rosin that most violinists don’t appreciate until they’ve been playing for a while. It’s very expensive, however, and is largely used by professional violinists.
In addition to the ingredients in the dark rosin cocktail, this type of rosin includes shellac. This gives it a more firm texture. Which, in turn, gives it that extra grip we talked about.
5 Best Violin Rosins Reviewed
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1. D’Addario Kaplan Premium Rosin with Case, Dark – KRDD
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This post will give a general review of the D’Addario Kaplan Premium Rosin with Case, Dark – KRDD. The D’Addario Kaplan Premium Rosin with Case Plays a crucial role in any professional cellist’s bow preparation. This rosin is specially formulated to produce the right friction and sound on any concert or solo cello.
Pros :
- D’Addario Kaplan Premium Rosin with Case, Dark – KRDD will never bleed through your score paper.
- D’Addario Kaplan Premium Rosin with Case, Dark – KRDD will not create friction between your bow and the string.
Cons :
- The design is not sleek or elegant
- Lacks a quality control system to minimize the risk of bad rosin scratches
2. The Original Bernardel Rosin For Violin – Viola – Cello
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The Original Bernardel Rosin for Violin – Viola – Cello is one of the most well-known and widely used rosin pastes on the market. It has been around since 1904, which makes it almost 100 years older than the violin itself.
Pros :
- Cheaper than the standard rosin
- Works on most student instruments
Cons :
- It’s more expensive
- It smells funny
- The label doesn’t always say what it does
- Turns out you had the wrong one for your instrument!
3. Salchow Medium-Dark Rosin For Violin – Viola – Cello
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The Salchow Medium-Dark Rosin For Violin, Viola, and Cello is rosin of the highest quality. It is made of European pine resin and refined with fine oil. The violin rosin is applied to provide grip to strings without making them sticky; the viola rosin for sound clarity; and the cello rosin for increased resonance.
Pros :
- high quality rosin
- lasts a long time
- easy to hold and grip (looks like an oblong capsule)
Cons :
- Can be more expensive than lower quality rosins or rollers (can also be used for other string instruments, such as viola and cello)
- Very dark color, might stain clothing if rubbed off on clothes while rosin is still moist on rosin cake.
4. Rosin Violin Rosin 2 pack Big size Rosin Low Dust Natural Rosin for Violin Cello Viola Bows (Yellow)
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Rosin is the dry, sticky substance that is used to apply friction for fingerboard finger exercises. The type of fingerboard finger exercises you’ll be performing with this product are circular movements. This can be used in any school or home music room where there are string instruments.
Pros :
- Supple
- Bouncy
- Low dust
Cons :
- In terms of violin rosin, this one falls a bit short in terms of consistency. It’s very easy to use too much, and the mess is a nightmare to clean up.
5. Jade L’Opera JADE Rosin for Violin, Viola, and Cello (Original Version)
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The violin is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Anyone who has played the violin knows that it can also be one of the most frustrating instruments to play, especially if your instrument isn’t up-to-snuff. This is why many people turn to play viola or cello instead; they are slightly less popular than violins, but still very much loved by musicians all over the world.
Pros :
- JADE Rosin is manufactured in the USA
- JADE Rosin is an Arpeggio Series rosin with 7 different grades for ease of use
- JADE Rosin has a rich, dark, and full-bodied tone that projects well in performance
Cons :
- The reeds can be difficult to break in
Conclusion :
The best rosins for violins and violas are those which offer a nice sound, feel, and performance each. The dark rosin for violins will be the most preferred by professional players. Dark rosins offer a warm tone and optimum grip on the violin bow hair. Light rosins work well with harder bows such as students use. Some of the light-colored rosins may eventually show some discoloration but it only makes them look more natural to go along with their taste.
FAQ:
Q: Which rosin is best?
A: Pirastro. The top producer of strings deserves the top spot on our list for obvious reasons! … Andrea. Andrea Rosin,formerly known as Tartini Rosin,is acknowledged around the world as a superior rosin. Kaplan/D’Addario. … Larica. … Clarity Hypoallergenic by Super-Sensitive. … Bernardel. … W. …
Q: What is a substitute for violin rosin?
A: Violin and other string players have a lot of skin contact with rosin, through application and also while playing. Both wood rosin, which can be obtained from pine stumps, and gum rosin, which is exuded from living pine trees, contain abietic acid and its chemical relatives. … Unfortunately, there are presently no known substitutes for rosin.
Q: How do you use rosin for violin?
A: Check If Your Violin Bow Is Pre-Rosined. If you’re purchasing a new violin bow,ask the manufacturer if your bow has been previously rosined or not. Choose The Correct Rosin For Your Violin Bow. … Score The Surface Of Your Rosin To Make It Easy To Use. … Clean The Previous Rosin Application Off Of Your Violin Bow. …
Q: Does quality of rosin affect violin sound?
A: Does rosin affect the sound a violin produces? Rosin comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and compositions. The primary elements used are pine sap and beeswax. Different manufacturers use different ingredients in their mixture resulting in light and dark rosins. The ratio of the various additives in rosin will affect the character of the sound.