How to Use a Dominant Rosin Violin

A violin bow must have rosin to correctly vibrate the strings.

Rosin is a viscous substance made from treated tree resin that violinists put on their bow to increase friction. An increased amount of friction on a bow strengthens the physical connection between bow and strings and gives the violinist greater control in dynamics and articulation. Dominant rosin is a European-made light amber rosin consisting of both tree resin and natural waxes. It is designed specifically for violin strings with synthetic cores.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-grade sandpaper

Instructions

1. Twist off the top to the Dominant rosin cake, exposing the light amber rosin.

2. Rough up the top of the rosin using fine-grade sandpaper. Ten seconds of light rubbing is all that is necessary to scrape off some of the top powder upon first opening. Dominant rosin is a softer rosin; therefore, it shouldn't need too much scraping to be ready for application.

3. Grip the violin bow with one hand at the base and hold the rosin with the other hand.

4. Place the rosin at the base of the bow hairs and then slowly and steadily pull the bow downward and away from your body, while keeping the hairs in contact with the rosin. Don't press too hard. A soft rosin like Dominant should be adhered lightly to a bow.

5. Push the bow in the other direction against the rosin now from tip to base.

6. Test the bow by drawing it across the violin strings. If the sound or feeling is not to your liking, repeat the rosin application process. In a drier climate, Dominant rosin does not adhere as well and will need more applications. Humid climates are optimal for a light rosin like Dominant.

References

• Strings Magazine: Rosin Decoded
• Folk of the Wood: The Violin Bow
• Shar Music: Dominant Rosin for the Violin and Viola

Resources

• Thomastik-Infeld: Introducing Dominant Rosin