Rosin
The right, high-quality violin rosin enhances bowing by reducing scratchy sounds and enhancing sound production by increasing friction. Determining the right rosin for violin bows is dependent on a number of factors. The general rule is that violin rosin should be harder and dryer than rosin for cellos and basses. Within this need for harder rosin, the level of hardness will depend on a number of factors. If you play steel strings, a harder and dryer violin rosin is ideal. If you play synthetic, gutwound strings, then softer violin rosin will provide a more optimal sound. Climate is also a contributing factor. Warmer climates need harder rosin for violin bows, while colder climates call for softer rosin.
Although there are general guidelines for selecting the most appropriate violin rosin, the ideal violin rosin is also a matter of personal taste. Violin rosin can differ in thickness, stickiness and even molecular structure. Some types of rosin also introduce different elements such as beeswax and metals to increase friction. With so many choices, selecting violin rosin comes down to considering general guidelines, personal taste, instrument characteristics and your own playing style.
