{"id":12559,"date":"2022-03-08T15:42:33","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T14:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/?p=163692"},"modified":"2022-03-08T16:00:30","modified_gmt":"2022-03-08T15:00:30","slug":"rosin-what-it-is-the-best-rosins-and-why-string-instruments-need-it","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/rosin-what-it-is-the-best-rosins-and-why-string-instruments-need-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Rosin: what it is, the best rosins and why string instruments need it"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Charlotte Smith\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 08 March 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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What is rosin?<\/h2>\n

Rosin is a solid form of resin \u00ad\u00ad\u2013 a sticky substance similar to sap that comes from pine trees. In order to make rosin, fresh liquid resin is heated until it solidifies. Semi-transparent and brittle, rosin varies in colour from pale yellow to black, and is used by string players to add friction to the bow hair so that it grips the strings and allows them to \u2018speak\u2019.<\/p>\n

Why is rosin needed?<\/h2>\n

Without rosin, there is little to no adhesion between the bow hair and the string \u2013 the bow will slide across the strings without enough friction to produce any sound<\/p>\n

How do string players use rosin?<\/h2>\n

The player rubs the rosin onto the bow hair to achieve an even coat. As it\u2019s applied, the hard rosin cake becomes a white powder which bonds to the bow hair and creates friction between the hair and the string when the instrument is played. Players must be careful not to apply too much or too little rosin \u2013 too much will produce clouds of rosin dust with each bow stroke, while too little won\u2019t provide the necessary adhesion to produce a clear sound.<\/p>\n