Rosin, the ubiquitous accessory for any stringed-instrument player is actually a bit of a mystery to most musicians. Few know how it’s made, how it works, and which types or grades are best for their instruments. Standing in front of the display of numerous rosins at your local violin shop and trying to pick out a particular cake or box is a bit like standing in front of a mixed rice stall at your local coffee shop.
(An assortment of rosins, light and dark, student-grade or professional-grade)
To help decode the mystery, here is some valuable information on that little box of rosin hiding in your instrument case’s accessory compartment.
What Is Rosin, Exactly?
Rosin (colophon or colophony, as it is known to luthiers) is a resin collected from 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 both medical and magical procedures.
Rosin is drawn directly from living trees in a tapping process–in much the same way that maple syrup is collected. First, a small area of the tree’s outer bark is removed. Then the tree is fitted with a drip channel and collection container. Finally, the tree is cut with V-shaped grooves about 1 cm wide just above the drip channel. These marks induce the flow of resin into the container (the cuts must be renewed every five days or so to ensure the continuous flow of tree resin).
(Resin from a pine tree)
After the resin is collected, it is sometimes mixed with other tree saps to create a specialized formula (rosin makers are as secretive about their individual recipes as violin makers are with varnish). This formula is then purified by straining and heating it in large vats until the resins are completely melted. Once cooked, the concoction is poured into molds. After the mixture sets for about 30 minutes, the rosin is smoothed down and polished. Rosin is packed into a swath of cloth or fitted into a tight-sealing container.
The color of rosin is affected by the time of year during which it is collected. If the resin is tapped in late winter or early spring, it will be gold or amber in color and hard when set up. As the seasons change to summer and fall, the color of the resin darkens and the consistency softens.
How Rosin Works
Rosin helps to create enough grip as the bow hairs glide across strings, akin to how rubber tyres grip the surface on roads. This grip enables the bow hairs to pull the string in the same direction of the bow movement and causes the string to vibrate at its tuned frequency. This ‘stick-and-slip’ phenomenon that gives rise to the instrument’s sound is known as the Helmholtz motion.
(Film still showing string movement in slow motion. The ‘sticking’ friction creates a phenomenon known as the Helmholtz motion)
Deciding your Rosin budget
When purchasing rosin, first sort out whether you’re looking for a student- or professional-grade product. Student-grade rosin is cheaper, often has a grittier sound, and produces more powder than the professional grades. For some players, such as fiddlers, this is a plus. But classical players may find that the higher-priced professional-grade rosins better fit their needs. Professional-grade rosin is created from a purer resin and generally produces a smoother, more controlled tone.
Next, decide between light or dark rosin. Dark rosin is softer and is usually too sticky for hot and humid weather, it is better suited to cool, dry climates. Since light rosin is harder and not as sticky as its darker counterpart, it is also preferable for the higher strings. “Any type of rosin (except for bass rosin, which is much, much softer and would make a mess on a violin bow) pretty much works on any instrument. Lighter rosins tend to be harder and more dense which makes it a good fit for violin and viola. Darker, softer rosins are generally preferred by the lower strings.
(An example of light and dark rosin)
Boxed vs. Cake Rosin
Rosin comes in either box or cake form. Boxed rosin is generally priced lower than cake rosin and comes in clear to amber colors. It is a universal rosin, and can be used for any stringed instrument (excluding bass), in any season. Boxed rosin is advantageous for student players using nonhorsehair bows. One advantage of boxed rosin is its durable quality—it’s far less prone to cracking and breaking. However, if you aren’t careful when applying it you can catch the box on your bow hairs. Cake rosin tends to be a higher-quality, more pure rosin. It is available in amber to solid darker colors.
Profiling your rosin
Light rosins are typically harder and drier. They produce a more focused, articulate sound, making them a go-to choice for violinists in humid weather, where darker rosins may get too sticky. Light rosins also create less rosin dust, which is ideal for clean handling and maintenance.
(Bernadel rosin, a light amber rosin used by many professionals)
Dark rosins are softer and tackier. A stickier formula offers more grip and warmer tones. Violists, cellists, and violinists looking for expressive depth often favor dark rosins. They’re also more suited for dry, cool climates, where added traction is beneficial.
(Jade Rosin, one of the more popular dark rosins for string players)
Some companies also add precious metals to their recipes, another choice to consider when shopping for rosin. It is not uncommon to see gold, silver, lead-silver, and copper added to rosin. These materials purportedly increase the rosin’s static friction, creating different tonal qualities.
Gold rosin is said to produce a warm, clear tone and is appropriate for all instruments. The addition of gold to the rosin mixture can soften a harsh-sounding instrument. Solo performers often find that gold rosin helps them produce a clearer, more defined tone.
Silver rosin creates a concentrated, bright tone and is especially good for performance in higher positions. It is best suited for the violin or viola.
Lead-silver rosin is well-suited for both the violin and viola and is a soft but nontacky rosin. It enhances warmth and clarity, producing a fresh playing tone.
Copper is the most defined of all the rosin additives. These rosins can help make playing easier for a beginner (and are said to be the best for 1/2- and 3/4-size instruments). Copper creates a very warm, almost velvety-soft tone. This rosin is also popular among gamba players.
How to choose rosin?
For the selection of rosin, the most important thing is to consider three aspects: viscosity, dust, and shelf life.
Viscosity of rosin:
Don't mistake a ‘stickier’ rosin for a better rosin, the viscosity should be only applicable to certain types of situations. In the case of violins and violas, excessively sticky rosin tends to make noise, and it will be more difficult to make smooth bow changes. An over-sticky rosin also easily deposits onto surfaces that can stay too long on the string after usage, which affects vibrational properties of thinner strings of higher pitched stringed instruments. For cellos and basses, viscous rosin is required. This is because their strings have greater tension and require more friction to pull the strings apart.
Dust of Rosin:
Rosin which is less prone to excessive ‘dusting’ will be more comfortable. The rosin used by many beginners will cause smoke and dust to fly when playing, which is often caused by wiping too much rosin or the rosin being too brittle which leads to excessive dust production. This is not good for the health of the player itself and the varnish coat of the instrument. In some extreme cases, rosin that stays on the instrument may melt and end up melding with the varnish coat of the instrument, leading to damage and impact on the instrument’s acoustical properties.
Shelf life of rosin:
Most rosins last for 5 years ideally. However, the quality of rosins does indeed degrade over time due to natural evaporation of the oils inside the rosin. This is even more pronounced for cheap student rosins that do not have a lot of the tree sap’s natural oils inside it. It is most advisable to invest in a good quality rosin to ensure a long-lasting shelf life and added benefit to a string player’s tone production.
Rosin is very brittle and will break easily, so it is recommended not to drop your rosin at all times and to keep it always in its protective casing when not in use. In addition, rosin is also sensitive to temperature changes, and it is recommended to store it at room temperature. Following these simple steps, a string player can ensure the maximum shelf life of their rosin.
(Pierre Guillaume rosin packaged in silver or green metal tins, one of the best rosins for professionals)