V.com Weekend Vote: Do you prefer light rosin or dark rosin?

September 4, 2010 at 12:42 AM

What kind of rosin do you prefer?

These days I'm using Andrea rosin (formerly Tartini), which I think I would have to classify as "dark."

Apparently, dark rosin works well in a dry climate, according to a nice tutorial on rosin on Shar's website. This may explain why I'm attracted to dark rosin, living in Southern California's very dry climate.

I had a student who was allergic to rosin, and so it's great that there are now hypoallergenic rosins, one type being Clarity rosin.

What kind do you use, and what are the characteristics that make your rosin work well for you?

From Eloise Garland
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 12:57 AM

I generally use a very dark rosin... (I can't remember the name of it and I can't wander around the house this late at night but I'll take it out of my case tomorrow and look!)

I find the darker rosin grips very well in comparison to the lighter and it also seems to give clarity to the sound. Also, the rosin I have is very good and lasts a long time - it literally only takes 3 or 4 strokes up and down across the rosin to coat the bow evenly and create a nice sound.

I think the downside with my rosin (I'm not sure if this goes for all darker rosins) is when some gets on the body of the violin if I have just used a freshly-coated bow, it can be harder to wipe off than other rosins I have lying around here and there. I generally find it is stickier really.

But anyway, in response to the vote, I use dark rosin!!

From Michael Divino
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 2:41 AM

I use Dominant Rosin!!!

From Anne Horvath
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 2:46 AM

Green!

(And sometimes light.)

From Marsha Weaver
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 12:04 PM

This is my first summer of being involved with the violin. I'd been using a sort of in-between rosin, but with the higher-than-usual heat and humidity this summer in Northern Indiana, it seemed that my rosin was a little too tacky. I decided to try Clarity, since it's not affected by weather, and I've been very happy with it.

From Benjamin Eby
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 8:38 PM

I'm using Bernardel rosin, a light rosin made in France. It's good for the humid conditions here in the deep south. I also like using it because Baillot (founding member of the Paris Conservatory) used light rosin. His violin method is very excellent, and I think he must have been a wonderful teacher. So as silly as it sounds, my rosin choice is my little homage to him :-)

From Bart Meijer
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 9:15 PM

Laurie, thank you for bringing the voting feature back. It looks a little different: is it troll-proof now?

By the way, I use light rosin (Pirastro Gold).

From Laurie Niles
Posted on September 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM

Yes, this is the first poll on the new system that we're trying!

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on September 5, 2010 at 8:38 PM

Gustave Bernadel. That one has good grip on my two gut strings and sound great on the other strings as well. The color is medium brown... I don't know how to classify it??? Rosin is a very personal thing. Me and my teacher like many similar things for violin issues but... not rosin : )

From Michael Snow
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 5:46 PM

Guillaume rosin (light I guess). Great sound, very little dust, and the wood box not only looks great but prevents the rosin from cracking if you drop it! (If it's still in the box, that is.)

From Guy Devlin
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 5:46 PM

Well living in Cairns, an extremly humid area, i find Piristrano Gold works best for me.

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

V.com Weekend Vote: Do you prefer light rosin or dark rosin?

Laurie's Books

Subscribe