If you are already playing the violin or you plan on taking violin lessons, you must know that there are some accessories that shouldn’t miss from your maintenance kit. The rosin is one of these items, which is meant to make you give your best performance each time while taking the best care of your violin.
What is violin rosin and why is it needed?
First of all, you need violin rosin or your violin’s bow. As you may already know, you can’t play the violin without a bow. The bow is made out of a set of very fine hairs, which need to be lubricated in order to perform well and deliver warm sounds.
What are the Best Violin Rosins to Buy?
It would have been much easier to find just one single type of rosin out there, but if you already looked for violin rosin, you probably noticed that there are quite a few types. What you need to know is that pine sap is the main ingredient of all the violin rosins out there.
It is the purification process and other ingredients that are added to the mixture that sets the rosins apart. Thus, after being collected, the rosin goes through particular techniques that heat it to certain temperatures, so that it will be purified.
The reason violin players need rosin is that it is a sticky substance, which easily adheres to the hairs of the bow, increases friction and triggers the vibrations that are responsible for the violin’s specific sound. Without the resin, the bow would simply glide over the surface of the violin, without producing vibrations and, therefore, sounds.
How to make sure that certain violin rosin is the right one for your instrument? Well, before choosing the rosin, take into account the type of strings your violin has. It is true that this may not be exactly right for the hairs of your bow, but at least it will give you some useful clues.
Darker rosins are softer and stickier, while light-colored rosins are more powdery. Also, just having the rosin doesn’t guarantee a good performance. You will need to apply the rosin correctly on your bow if you want to enjoy a great performance. And once you’re done playing the violin, always use a clean cloth to wipe the rosin dust that accumulates while you use the bow.
18 Best Violin Rosin Reviews and the Best Violin Rosin Brands
1) Jade L’Opera JADE Rosin for Violin, Viola, and Cello
As the name of this product suggests, the color of this rosin will be jade green. So, don’t be worried if the hairs of your bow turn slightly green once you start using the product. Of course, this will be solved if you properly clean the bow after each usage.
Beautifully wrapped in an elegant plastic box and protected by a velvet cloth, it will be a real pleasure to use this violin rosin. The adhesion on the bow’s hairs is free of dust and its high quality will make sure that the fine varnishes will not end up scratched.
2) Super Sensitive Dark Violin Rosin
No products found.
In case you want to enhance the response of your bow’s hairs when they adhere on the surface of the violin’s strings, this dark resin may be just what you need. Because we are talking about dark rosin, it will be pretty sticky, so you should expect warm and deep tones coming from your instrument.
Made entirely out of natural resin, the product comes packed well in a wood block, so using it on the hairs will not pose any problems. When you are not using the resin, simply slide it inside its case and put it away.
3) D’Addario Natural Rosin, Dark
D’Addario is a known brand when it comes to accessories for a variety of instruments. Thus, if you are looking for reliable rosin for your violin, it is definitely worth checking this product out. Also, it doesn’t matter if you are using synthetic hairs or natural, horse hairs on the bow of your violin, as this rosin will deliver great performances in every case.
The rosin is placed in a channel made out of plastic, with a design that makes gripping a very easy task. All the rosin made by D’Addario is made in the USA, so you can be sure of the quality it offers.
4) D’Addario Natural Rosin, Light
If we spoke earlier about the dark type of rosin from D’Addario, now it’s time to mention the light version. Your final choice depends very much on the type of tone and sounds you want to obtain from your violin. When it comes to its properties, the light rosin from D’Addario is made entirely out of natural ingredients and provides an excellent grip.
It works just as well on synthetic hairs as it does on natural hairs, so the type of hairs you use should not be a matter of concern. The rosin block is conveniently positioned in an ergonomic plastic case, for an easy use.
5) Pirastro Goldflex Rosin For Violin – Viola – Cello
Believe it or not, the presence of small gold flecks in the composition of a block of rosin is not just to make an impression. The gold flecks help the rosin provide a smoother grip, which will enhance your performances at once.
Great for every type of strings, this particular rosin will make the instrument generate bright but warm sounds, so it is definitely the kind of product you need to have in mind when shopping for violin rosins.
When it comes to the quality of the rosin, you will not be disappointed considering that it is produced by one of the largest string producers in the world.
6) The Original Hill Dark Rosin For Violin – Viola – Cello
If you heard that the Hill Dark Rosin is one of the best types of dark rosins you can get for your violin, you must know that this particular product is the real deal. Made to offer precisely the properties that made this brand famous, this violin rosin will certainly rise to your expectancies.
The product will come nicely wrapped inside a velveteen shell that is nicely padded so that the integrity of the rosin block remains intact at all times. In comparison with the light version, this dark rosin offers a better grip and it is a bit softer.
7) Holstein Premium Violin, Viola, Cello Rosin
In case you are willing to invest a little more in a batch of violin rosin, just to make sure that you are enjoying premium quality, you should then take a closer look at this product. Producing a low amount of dust, due to its clear content, and offering a great grip of your bow’s hairs on the strings of the instrument, this rosin can really make your violin produce stunning sounds.
Because it is made with a great regard to quality, you can be sure that it won’t produce unwanted scratches to fine varnishes. It also comes with a large base, for an easy application, and hard case that will properly protect it.
8) String House SR040 Red Brown Soft Clear Warm Sound Rosin For Bass Cello Viola Violin Low Dust (Gold-2)
Speaking about elegant violin rosins, this one can definitely grab your attention due to its sparkling gold color. This is a type of hard rosin that is made entirely by hand, so if you’re looking to obtain warm tones from your instrument, the rosin will certainly help you enjoy them.
Is there any real gold dust into the composition of this rosin? According to the manufacturer, gold dust was indeed used during the making process of this resin. The natural color of the rosin is olive green, so the gold dust makes it look so delicate.
9) Rosin Violin Rosin for Violin Viola and Cello Rosin for Bows
According to the manufacturer of this rosin, the product resists twice as long as regular violin rosins, due to its excellent adhesion. In other words, you will be able to use this rosin for quite a while. Considering that you will receive two packs of rosin, one yellow and one red, we can say that violin rosin will become your least concern.
Positioned on a soft cloth that makes its use easy and comes packed in a beautiful box, for adequate storage, this violin rosin has all the chances to become a great choice. The clarity of this rosin is given by its high degree of purity, which means less dust produced as you play your instrument.
10) Sound harbor 2 Pack Rosin for Violin Viola and Cello Rosin for Bows
There are high chances you will love this violin rosin, as it comes in a nice box that makes it easy to use and store. The clear appearance of the rosin indicates that there will be very little dust resulted from using it.
Also, it works great on both steel and synthetic strings, so you can opt for this product if you have any of these strings. The viscosity is rather high, in spite of the fact that this is a soft type of rosin, so your violin will enjoy a pregnant timbre once the bow’s strings are covered with this resin.
11) Leto 603 Rosin for Violin Viola Cello, Light and Low Dust
Although it is said that light violin resins are also rather dusty, this one from Leto will produce a very small amount of dust. How is that good for you? Well, a violin resin that produces less dust means that you will inspire a much smaller amount of dust each time you will play your favorite instrument.
The manufacturer also promises that this light resin will not get all soften up in warm weather, so you can enjoy the same properties each time. Using only natural ingredients, the rosin will offer a nice grip and is suitable both for natural and synthetic bow hairs.
12) D’Addario Kaplan Artcraft Rosin, Dark No. 7
You really don’t need to spend too much to get great quality rosin for your violin. Just take a look at this product offered by D’Addario and you will understand why. Because it is dark rosin, it will be stickier and provide a much warmer tone.
In spite of its opaque color, it produces a low level of dust, so that won’t be something that will bother you. The name of this rosin comes from the fact that the recipe was provided by Ladislav Kaplan, a famous violin maker. It will come packed in a flannel pouch and placed on a soft cloth, so you can use it with ease.
13) Kafko KVRWL Light Violin/Viola/Cello Rosin
This particular violin rosin may not look too sophisticated and elegant, but it still does its job right. The product, made by Kafko, is light rosin that will make your violin produce a smooth and bright tone. Considering that its price is more than affordable, it is worth giving it a try, as this product may surprise you.
This rosin works well on both synthetic bow hairs and natural hairs, so you can use it without any problems regardless of the type of hairs you have on your violin bow. Also, the wooden brace will give it a better grip when holding it and no risks to break it in case you drop it.
14) Andrea Solo Violin Rosin – Half Cake
No products found.
If you choose the violin rosin offered by Andrea, most certainly you won’t be disappointed by your choice. This is due to the fact that the great grip provided by this rosin will make your violin sound amazing each time.
Even if it is a bit more expensive, you may not have to apply it more than once a week on your bow’s hairs. Of course, this depends very much on how often you play your instrument and how long your playing sessions are.
15) Melos Light Violin Rosin
With an elegant presentation and packaging, the violin rosin from Melos is indeed a very fine option. Although this is a light rosin variety, you will notice that it will be slightly harder than the rest of the rosins in the same category. This can be extremely useful during summer months, when the high temperatures may affect the consistency of your rosin.
Made out of the resin extracted from the Greek pine tree, the tone it will help your violin achieve will certainly be a beautiful one. Also, the nice pouch that comes along with the rosin will make it easier to pack and transport wherever you may need it.
16) Pirastro Oliv/Evah Rosin For Violin-Viola-Cello
This is another great product from Pirastro, although it is worth mentioning that this rosin was specially made for particular types of strings. So, if you use Evah Pirazzi or Oliv strings, this rosin will beautifully complement your strings and make your instrument produce beautiful sounds. This is due to the great grip it offers to the bow’s hairs.
The Pirastro company is producing rosin for more than two centuries already, so if you are willing to pay the price, you will get a product of an exceptional quality that will make your viola perform well each time.
17) Kafko KVRWD Dark Violin/Viola/Cello Rosin
Dark violin rosins, as discussed earlier, will have a stickier consistency. This means that your bow’s hairs will adhere better to the violin’s strings, producing a deeper and louder tone. If this is what you are looking to obtain, then this rosin will definitely help out.
Made to suit the needs of synthetic and natural violin bow hairs alike, this rosin has what it takes to improve your performance. As it happens in the case of other products made by Kafko, the rosin comes in a natural wooden brace, for a better grip each time you need to use it.
18) The Original Bernardel Rosin For Violin – Viola – Cello
Manufactured in France and delivered in an elegant pouch, this violin rosin is a light toward medium type. In other words, it is slightly harder than the average light rosin, yet not that hard, so it is the perfect compromise if you’re looking for something in between.
According to the manufacturer, the product is a genuine Bernardel product, not a cheap makeover. We tend to believe it, so if you want to give it a try, most certainly you will not be disappointed.
Choosing the Best Violin Rosins
Although it may seem a real hustle to find the right rosin for your violin, it is worth taking the time to find the best option. As you can see, the consistency and hardness or softness of a resin can influence your instrument’s performance. Thus, the rosin is much more important than you probably believed.
Also, you cannot play the violin without putting resin on the bow first, as it will produce unpleasant and squeaky sounds. The rosin helps the hairs of the bow slide smoother on the surface of the violin’s strings, the resulted friction leading to the sounds that made violins so famous.
So, depending on the results you want to obtain each time you play your violin and your dedicated budget, you should opt for the resin that offers an adequate grip level. Check every product and take a look at its properties and don’t rush into making a decision, as it will influence your performance.