Cello Rosin
If you're playing your cello with a bow, rosin is a must. Rosin is what cellists apply to their bow so it grips the string and it's this grip that causes the strings to vibrate. The sound from the strings then travels through the cello's hollow body and voila! Music is created. Made from the resin of pine and other coniferous trees, cello rosin comes as a solid cake or block and becomes a fine white powder when it's applied to the bow. With a number of different types of rosin available, it should be easy to find one that's designed to do exactly what you expect of it.
There are three different types of rosin, each which is measured by grip and tonal color. Dark rosins are soft, sticky and produce a thick tone that is slightly gritty and dark. Lighter rosins are more brittle and give off tones that are bright, smooth and clear. Amber rosin strikes a balance between dark and light - offering a mellow sound that is even and precise.
While choosing the right rosin ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, you should try a wide variety until you find the best one. If you're a beginner, an inexpensive, high-quality student rosin is perfectly fine. Rosins like the AB Violin/Cello Rosin and the Hidersine Cello Rosin are also affordable options for student musicians. The Hidersine is available in both dark and light (the dark being slightly softer and producing a warmer tone).
If you have a bit more wiggle room in your budget, check out rosins from Andrea Rosin. Their Solo Cello Rosin helps to deliver power without compromising sensitivity. Designed for solo cellists, this rosin can withstand high bow pressure without sound cracks on the strings. Now, if you're part of a string quartet or orchestra, you'll love Andrea's Symphony Cello Rosin. It's specially formulated to provide more blending while maintaining exceptional tonal clarity.
Of course, your choices for cello rosin goes well beyond the ones mentioned, so be sure to browse this entire section. Rosin is so essential to your bow, you should have a few cakes in your case that can be used whenever the need arises - which is pretty much every time you tighten your bow and get ready to play.
