Rosin Recommendation?

[obscure44]

Hello! I've recently began working with my Kay Swingmaster. I had Pirastro Jazzers put on, because I intended to focus on jazz and pizz. However, I'd like to also play around with a bow and got an Upton workshop french bow (the $99 one). I went with the french bow because after 15yrs on the violin, my thumb feels at home in that frog.

Anyway, any rosin recommendations for this particular setup?

[toman]

I run Carlson virtually all the time, and Nymans when it's over 90 degrees or so, or when I lose my Carlson. Carlson, IMO, is the best rosin out there. It will gunk up your strings though, so I carry a bit of Scotchbrite pad in my bowcase. Also, I always get some on the ferrule of my bow, so the tip of my pinky finger is often green and sticky.

[PaulCannon]

I'd suggest buying three or four brands and giving each two weeks. Stick with what you like best.

[D McCartney]

Originally Posted by PaulCannon

I'd suggest buying three or four brands and giving each two weeks. Stick with what you like best.

Sounds like very good advice...and a great pun.

[obscure44]

Originally Posted by PaulCannon

I'd suggest buying three or four brands and giving each two weeks. Stick with what you like best.

I'm not sure I'd know how to qualify which one being the best. With violin back in the day, it was pick one and go. What things do you look for in how a rosin is working?

[toman]

Why not just ask your teacher what he reccomends?

[obscure44]

Originally Posted by toman

Why not just ask your teacher what he reccomends?

Although I fully intend to get formal instruction eventually, I do not have the time in my schedule for structured lessons etc (I'm a first-year high school teacher). So, I was asking those here instead...

[toman]

You do realize that by teaching yourself to play without a teacher, the odds are you're going to pick up some very bad habits, and likely injure yourself, right? The amount of time it takes to unlearn old habits and learn new ones is going to be longer than just waiting to get some proper instruction, IMO. Add an injury of some sort into that, and you're not going to have much fun learning this instrument. Just my .02...

[jfv]

Originally Posted by obscure44

Although I fully intend to get formal instruction eventually, I do not have the time in my schedule for structured lessons etc (I'm a first-year high school teacher). So, I was asking those here instead...

Well given that everything that matters is all about 'hands-on'
as it were, and not about words that get so cheaply and
endlessly bandied about on the internet ....

If you have time to play, you have time for "structured
lessons", just spend your playing time with that teacher,
you'd be FAR better off that way for 6 months.

[Steve Killingsworth]

Originally Posted by obscure44

I'm a first-year high school teacher.

I well remember that year! Trust me, just keep your head above the water this year. Pretty soon you'll be stroking right along.

Back to the original question. I am certainly no arco expert but I have tried a few brands of rosin before settling on Carlsson. If you try a few different types, you will notice some difference. For instance, Pops tended to gum up my on my strings and bow hair. It just made for rough (in more ways than one) bowing. Carlsson's goes on smoother, leaves less residue and mess, and is much easier to store.

One good thing about rosin as opposed to strings--it is cheap, so as someone said--try a few different types.

[Silversorcerer]

I refrained from answering this one until now because I was hoping someone else would say these things better. There are several things in your question that suggest you need formal instruction. The first is that you are asking which bow rosin to use on strings designed primarily if not exclusively for pizzacato (plucking) I think I spelled that right. Second give away was the French bow over German because it worked well on a violin for 15 years. I don't mean to give you a hard time, but that would be the equivalent of me getting a nice leather shoulder strap for my 5-string DB because that worked well for 31 years on my Fender P. BTY, don't try to tuck that Swingmaster under your chin. It may well be that French is best for you, but not for that reason. Just like violin rosin (Some guy who had played fiddle forever tried to convince me to try some once and I made a huge mistake letting him get some of that powder puff sneeze cheese on my strings. My bow kept sliding off over the bridge and I thought I'd never get that stuff off.) is definitely not to be used on DB bows or strings.

Please keep in mind that everything I am saying is meant in a lighthearted and helpful way. You are a teacher. Think about how much time and trouble you save your students by directing their efforts. Do yourself the same favor and GET A TEACHER!!

[Cosmos]

Suggestions to try Carlsson's are good. I really like Carlsson's a lot. Pops is great but in the summertime it's ridiculous because it will melt to your stand (or whatever it's touching) in no time flat. I've also been trying Pirastro rosin lately for solo stuff which works well. The Gary Karr cello rosin (don't remember the name) is also good for solo work. Nonetheless, when in doubt, go with Carlsson's.

[GriffithLea]

Oak rosin is my new fave. If I couldn't get that I'd be using Carlson. The nutshell description I use is that Oak is grippy but not sticky.

Arnold needs to work on the container, though.

http://www.gregorianstrings.com/