Things You'll Need:
- Rosin
- Cello bow
-
Step 1
Thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Any lotions, natural oils or other
greasy remnants on your skin will lubricate the bow hairs and counteract the
helpful, sticky effects of the rosin. -
Step 2
Select a rosin. Harder rosins that are lighter and clearer in color will be
cleaner to use, better for moist conditions (since they tend to be more
powdery) and better for smooth, legato playing. Softer, darker and more
opaque rosins are stickier and better for dry conditions and sharp, loud
attacks on the cello, but keep in mind that these rosins can be very messy
and thus aren't always a good choice for very young players. Be sure to get
rosin that's specifically labeled for cello use; you can use other rosins in
a pinch and they won't damage anything, but violin and viola rosin will
often be too light, while double bass rosin may be too heavy and sticky. -
Step 3
Check your rosin for rough, sharp edges. Harder rosins can often crack and
splinter in ways that create slicing or abrasive edges that can rip your bow
hairs when you apply them, so examine your piece of rosin before you apply
it. If you see any problem areas, you may be able to rub them smooth with
your finger, or you can soften the rosin with 30 seconds in the microwave or
file the spot smooth with an Emory board or a little sandpaper. -
Step 4
Tighten your bow to proper playing tension. This means making the hairs
taut and flat, but not too tight. At ideal tightness, you should be able
to press the bow hairs at the center and feel a little resistance, but still
be able to press the hairs against the wood of the bow with ease. -
Step 5
Apply rosin to the bow hairs. Slide the flat front of the hairs over the
piece of rosin, moving the bow from the bottom of the hairs to the top
several times. How much rosin you will need is a matter of trial and error
as well as personal preference, but if this is the first time you're
applying rosin to a new bow (or a newly re-haired bow), you will need to
spend about 30 seconds rubbing the hairs to get them properly coated. -
Step 6
Test your bow to see if you've applied enough. If you've applied enough, the
hairs should be grabbing the strings and producing tone with relative ease
as you pull the bow. However, if the bow seems to be sliding across the
strings without much resonance, apply more.
