So I had a similar situation last year around this time where I was having issues with getting my bow to hold a grip. A lot of the suggestions were technique and I did a lot of work to try and correct it. Well this year it is happening all over again and I am convinced its the way the Rosin I use is behaving in the dry air. I live in upstate NY and its just getting to that point in the year where the air is getting dry. Does anyone have any suggestions for Rosin that fairs better in winter conditions? And before you ask, yes I have the Damp-it working full time to protect the instrument itself and I use a Coda bow which as I understand are not affected much by humidity changes.
Dan
Might be more to do with the age and/or quality of your bow hair. A rehair would likely fix the problem. Every six months. And clean the strings often with isopropyl alcohol [rubbing alcohol] on a cloth. Wipe the strings off each time you play, wipe in ONE direction, not back and forth. Cheesecloth works well.Or the microfibre cloths used to clean eyeglasses.
-Ontario neighbour
ps. other than that, some of the best rosin around is
Liebenzeller gold rosin second grade (for violin and viola)...it was made by a mom and pop operation. They've gone out of biz but the violin shop in toronto told me it will be available again as they've taught an apprentice how to make. Should be available now.
Contact The Sound Post luthier shop in toronto by email. They sell it. It's worth the $35 and works well in NY/canadian winters.
I second the Bernadel - also Thomastik makes a soft rosin that would be nice for winter (mostly because it smells like pine trees every time you use it - very Christmasy)
I don't know much about rosin, but I do know a little about whale oil ( don't ask me to explain why ); the barrels of whale oil would be left to stand on the wharves in New Bedford, and in midwinter they would be tapped; the liquid portion would be decanted off to be sold as Winter Oil; the solidified portion would be kept to be sold as Summer Oil. Would the same sort of thing apply to rosin ? Probably not, I guess.
Melos Rosin comes in light and dark, light for spring/ summer & dark for autumn/ winter. It's a little pricey, but it's hand made, completely natural, and does its job superbly. I think it's the best rosin around and easily worth the money: http://www.melosrosin.gr/products_en.htm
Winter Rosin
Winter Rosin
Hey all,
So I had a similar situation last year around this time where I was having issues with getting my bow to hold a grip. A lot of the suggestions were technique and I did a lot of work to try and correct it. Well this year it is happening all over again and I am convinced its the way the Rosin I use is behaving in the dry air. I live in upstate NY and its just getting to that point in the year where the air is getting dry. Does anyone have any suggestions for Rosin that fairs better in winter conditions? And before you ask, yes I have the Damp-it working full time to protect the instrument itself and I use a Coda bow which as I understand are not affected much by humidity changes.
Thanks,
Dan
# Posted on October 15th 2009 by jasten
Re: Winter Rosin
well, you'll have no trouble with dry air today. The northeast is getting dumped on
but I live in PA, a little south of you, and I use Hill and Sons light rosin all year round, if that's any use to you
# Posted on October 15th 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: Winter Rosin
When you change to winter rosin, be sure and put winter air in your tires. Otherwise, your tires won't grip when you drive.
I can't imagine there's a difference, no matter what rosin manufacturers want to sell you.
I like, for rosin:
Gustave Bernadel (Corelli company)
but Hildersine is cheaper and works just about as well.
Or you could just abandon proper behavior utterly and use Pop's bass rosin on your bow. That's pretty sticky (don't really do this)
# Posted on October 15th 2009 by reenactor
Re: Winter Rosin
Dan
Might be more to do with the age and/or quality of your bow hair. A rehair would likely fix the problem. Every six months. And clean the strings often with isopropyl alcohol [rubbing alcohol] on a cloth. Wipe the strings off each time you play, wipe in ONE direction, not back and forth. Cheesecloth works well.Or the microfibre cloths used to clean eyeglasses.
-Ontario neighbour
# Posted on October 15th 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Winter Rosin
ps. other than that, some of the best rosin around is
Liebenzeller gold rosin second grade (for violin and viola)...it was made by a mom and pop operation. They've gone out of biz but the violin shop in toronto told me it will be available again as they've taught an apprentice how to make. Should be available now.
Contact The Sound Post luthier shop in toronto by email. They sell it. It's worth the $35 and works well in NY/canadian winters.
# Posted on October 15th 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Winter Rosin
I second the Bernadel - also Thomastik makes a soft rosin that would be nice for winter (mostly because it smells like pine trees every time you use it - very Christmasy)
# Posted on October 15th 2009 by airport
Re: Winter Rosin
piastro goldflex too is good - I found it slightly more grippy than the
Bernadel so I like it better but both are good
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by Hup
Re: Winter Rosin
Keep your rosin in your pocket. Or somewhere else warm.
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by gam
Re: Winter Rosin
Try combinations. Use your regular rosin and then a couple of swipes with cello rosin. An occasional light dusting of the sticky.
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by justjim
Re: Winter Rosin
I don't know much about rosin, but I do know a little about whale oil ( don't ask me to explain why ); the barrels of whale oil would be left to stand on the wharves in New Bedford, and in midwinter they would be tapped; the liquid portion would be decanted off to be sold as Winter Oil; the solidified portion would be kept to be sold as Summer Oil. Would the same sort of thing apply to rosin ? Probably not, I guess.
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Winter Rosin
Melos Rosin comes in light and dark, light for spring/ summer & dark for autumn/ winter. It's a little pricey, but it's hand made, completely natural, and does its job superbly. I think it's the best rosin around and easily worth the money: http://www.melosrosin.gr/products_en.htm
# Posted on October 21st 2009 by klhsadhfahslkdfhsalk