Rosin And Strings, Is one better for certain types Options

[Libitina]

I'm also of the opinion that it doesn't really matter as long as you've got one that works and grips the string well, without making too much dust.

But, surely if you've spent a slightly silly amount of money on your rosin, and it has 'gold' in its name, it must be improving your playing? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

And, just in case it sounds like I'm making fun of any other poster in this thread, I use Laubach Gold rosin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif). I really do like it, but I also think some of the effect just might be down to my imagination. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I dont think Rosin can improve your playing but I do think certain rosins can give you a nicer/warmer/brighter sound (depending on what you are after)....

Saying that, if a certain rosin gives you a fantastic sound (placebo or not) then that in itself can make you more confident and in turn a better player... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

No, I dont expect it to make me play better, I just expect it to play when I do. I've found that the rosin I use has a tendency to slip every now and then and no note is generated, plus it's quite powdery, so I thought of trying something new.

Lib

[AmandaL]

Worth bearing in mind, AmandaL, that the advice about colour is a bit out of date

Not entirely so.

Pirastro still stick (if you'll pardon the pun) with the darker rosins in their range being softer and the slightly harder as light coloured. I know because I've got several of their rosin cakes (recent ones, not old) - of different colours - and the darker ones are most definitely softer.

[musbird]

Whichever Rosin you buy, its also how you apply it to the bow that can make a difference.

If you "rub" it on in short fast strokes, the heat from the bow causes it to form "crystal chunks" on the bow - only tiny little ones.

Whereas if you apply in long, slow strokes, that when it coats the bow correctly and you will get dust fall onto the violin when you play.

You may already know this but thought I would post as no one told me till a couple of weeks into playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

[Vitula]

Whichever Rosin you buy, its also how you apply it to the bow that can make a difference.

If you "rub" it on in short fast strokes, the heat from the bow causes it to form "crystal chunks" on the bow - only tiny little ones.

Whereas if you apply in long, slow strokes, that when it coats the bow correctly and you will get dust fall onto the violin when you play.

You may already know this but thought I would post as no one told me till a couple of weeks into playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

Thanks I didnt realise that this would make a difference. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Libitina]

Whichever Rosin you buy, its also how you apply it to the bow that can make a difference.

If you "rub" it on in short fast strokes, the heat from the bow causes it to form "crystal chunks" on the bow - only tiny little ones.

Whereas if you apply in long, slow strokes, that when it coats the bow correctly and you will get dust fall onto the violin when you play.

You may already know this but thought I would post as no one told me till a couple of weeks into playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

Thanks I didnt realise that this would make a difference. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Hmm, Neither did i actually, but used long strokes anyway.

Lib

[Libitina]

Please forgive how i write this but it's the first thing that came to mind now it's done.

I've cleaned my bow off and used the new rosin, and OMG, O M G . It feels like my silk stocking do ROFL.

It's glides so effortlessly, I cant even begin to imagine what a good bow will feel like compared to my £60 piece of firewood. LOL

Lib

[willobie]

Please forgive how i write this but it's the first thing that came to mind now it's done.

I've cleaned my bow off and used the new rosin, and OMG, O M G . It feels like my silk stocking do ROFL.

It's glides so effortlessly, I cant even begin to imagine what a good bow will feel like compared to my £60 piece of firewood. LOL

Lib

Which one did you get?

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Libitina]

Please forgive how i write this but it's the first thing that came to mind now it's done.

I've cleaned my bow off and used the new rosin, and OMG, O M G . It feels like my silk stocking do ROFL.

It's glides so effortlessly, I cant even begin to imagine what a good bow will feel like compared to my £60 piece of firewood. LOL

Lib

Which one did you get?

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I thought I'd try the Pirastro goldflex as thats the strings I use two, I have no idea if a certain make is better for a set of string just took a chance. I' just so stunned at how smooth the bow moves in comparison to the hindersine on these strings. I gave my bow a good cleaning until I couldn't feel any sticky rosin and gave a few strokes to the new one after breaking the surface on some old sandpaper I kept handy the first time.

Lib

[miffy]

I love Goldflex too, and have found you don't need much. I always used to break the surface if the Hidersine one but didn't actually need to with the Goldflex.
It's lovely - enjoy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Vitula]

What do you use to clean your bow with please.

[jojo]

What do you use to clean your bow with please.

I used methanol (is that what is called? denaturated alcohol...or paint stripper from DIY shop), I first disconnect frog from stick by taking out screw/button then take a shallow saucer/bowl filled up with the methanol and dip bow hair in it/soak it being VERY careful not to let wood touch the alcohol or if you get any on your fingers not to touch stick with them afterwards!!
hae some kitchen towels next ready to dry most of the alcohol off after. Best to do it on a 'work bench' or outside in garden but although it sounds complicated it is really easy quick and effective!!!

above method is JUST for the hair. You can use a WHITE old cloth soaked in alcohol instead if bow hair is not too caked in with rosin.... dont use a coloured cloth as the colour will come off onto bow hair.

[Vitula]

What do you use to clean your bow with please.

I used methanol (is that what is called? denaturated alcohol...or paint stripper from DIY shop), I first disconnect frog from stick by taking out screw/button then take a shallow saucer/bowl filled up with the methanol and dip bow hair in it/soak it being VERY careful not to let wood touch the alcohol or if you get any on your fingers not to touch stick with them afterwards!!
hae some kitchen towels next ready to dry most of the alcohol off after. Best to do it on a 'work bench' or outside in garden but although it sounds complicated it is really easy quick and effective!!!

above method is JUST for the hair. You can use a WHITE old cloth soaked in alcohol instead if bow hair is not too caked in with rosin.... dont use a coloured cloth as the colour will come off onto bow hair.

Thanks, my bow is quite new so at the moment I would easily get away with using a cloth on it. I don't think I would be brave enough to take the frog off (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[DiscoPants]

Denatured alcohol, aka methylated spirits is not methanol. You don't want to be messing with pure methanol. Very nasty stuff.
Methylated spirits is usually 90% ethanol, 10% methanol. I always try to get more expensive stuff (95% ethanol) because I worry about the methanol toxicity. This is for french polishing/varnish abuse by the way: I've never cleaned bow hair as Jo describes (or ever felt the need to do so...)

[jojo]

Denatured alcohol, aka methylated spirits is not methanol.

whatever is called (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) could not remember right word for it at the time, so thank you DiscoPants for telling me the 'right one' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks, my bow is quite new so at the moment I would easily get away with using a cloth on it. I don't think I would be brave enough to take the frog off (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

it's ok, if you don't take the frog off then tense the hair quite a bit before you clean, so to get hair away from stick as much as possible (without snapping the bow of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) as you don't want to touch the wood of the stick with your cloth which is damp with methylated spirit (now I know the right word (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )

but really....taking the frog off sounds 'scary' but I can ASSURE YOU it is NO big deal AT ALL, just take it off and you will see what I mean, it's a 'baby's job', you just don't realise it is not an issue at all until you actually do it, I used to be frightened of this too, until I saw it done by someone else then it clicked: 'what was I worried about' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Jacobi]

It is useful to know about the frog unscrewing since then if you ever need a fishing rod you can use your violin bow! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Also, I ordered some of this fancy rosin, so I had better be playing 'like a pro' or I will not be happy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)