How to Rosin your Bow 🎻 [Get the BEST sound]

[@RayChenViolinist]

Now that you've leveled up your rosin technique, go download Tonic to level up your playing too: tonicmusic.app/join-in 🎵

[@hi28]

not yet

[@MishaSkripach]

Thank you, Ray! I learnt something new today!

[@chrisma3256]

Can you fix the bugs so it works properly on Android please. It's annoying

[@cyberpaw]

This is the first time I’ve seen anybody use a toothbrush to evenly distribute rosin! Will try it now

[@MishaSkripach]

@@cyberpaw I am scared

[@TheKinderdoc]

My luthier taught me to rotate the resin cake as you apply it to the bow to avoid creating a groove in the resin, which would cause damage to the hairs on the sides of the bow.

[@RayChenViolinist]

This too! That’s why my rosin is so level 👍🏼

[@soupdrinker05]

@@RayChenViolinistwhat rosin do you use

[@ynot5478]

Your analogies are brilliant! I particularly love the wet hand on the balloon one-very tactile and vivid. Thank you for this video.

[@Moon-iv1xy]

Never touched a violin in my life, I just really like listening to this guy talk so passionately about his stuff

[@softSnowman]

As a beginner violinist, I truly appreciate your videos. I was interested in playing the violin about 2 years ago but quit because I couldn’t find any videos that explained what I needed to do. Now I’m back in and luckily I found these videos so now I know what I’m doing.

[@rokugoshitsu]

I think Ray speaks faster than usual😅 He is full of thoughts that he wants to convey to everyone.

[@925lily]

I don’t play violin either. I am here to support my favorite violinist and feel like part of the community.

[@mooneyes007]

Thank you for this video!! My son has been playing for about 1.5 years and wasn't taught how to properly rosin his bow. This is super helpful. Please make more of these types of tutorials.

[@mdifilm]

Hey Ray, thanks for your videos, I recently picked up my violin that I had for almost 50 years, decided to remember how to play now that I'm 56 (was 8yo for about 2 years played). lol my fingers are no longer moving as fast... but your videos are inspirational, got me to really want to continue playing. Just wanted to say Thank YOU!

[@wakingtheworld]

I'm a relative newbie as well... inspired by TwoSet Violin. Fingers get faster... Well I can manage 8 notes a bar now (4/4 time). Good luck and enjoy your musical journey...

[@Erincutioner]

@@wakingtheworld can you manage 16 NOTES A SECOND???

[@wakingtheworld]

@@Erincutioner There's plenty of music out there that isn't 16 notes a second and a lot of beautiful pieces - Spiegel im Spiegel (although it's cello) springs to mind - that are exquisite and super slow. Another piece is Philip Glass' 'Metamorphois I' played by Anne Akiko Meyers. Speed is irrelevant. Musicality is everything. Ever heard Hahn playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star? Check that one out on YT.

[@Erincutioner]

@@wakingtheworld haha, I was just making a twoset joke, it wasnt that serious.. and no i havent watched hilary hahn playing twinkle twinkle little star. I will definitely check that out, I heard its good

[@wakingtheworld]

@@Erincutioner Ah right. Bit slow on the uptake today! Twinkle Twinkle is a very short vid and although she adds a bit more complexity to it, it's basically a simple piece. Enjoy! It might even lull you to sleep....

[@djethreii]

I appreciate the analogies when you explain things. makes my baby brain understand it better.

[@Classicgypsy]

Thanks for the video Ray. I do it differently… You’re bowing your rosin! I think you should rosin your bow. It means that your bow should be kept still on your left hand, with the hair up and holding the rosin with your right hand you start moving it over the bow hair in the fashion you clearly explained. In that way we have much more control over the rosin direction and pressure over the bow hair . It works great! Try it.

[@agnesv1937]

Thanks for the tips Ray. I divide my bow in four sections and apply rosin one section at a time across the bow. Didn’t know about the toothbrush technique. Now I have to try that.

[@mehraneahmadi645]

Simple but important...thank you for teaching how to do it correctly 💙

[@jimbullock4156]

Thanks Ray! Glad you recommended the toothbrush method, which I have been doing for years. My colleagues question my sanity. I learned a bit as well. Great presentation.

[@pravoslavn]

LOVE your performances ! It was nice to be able to se you off-stage and relaxed. Keep you the good work !

[@scabbedwings6548]

Just got a new bow in the mail today that is actually from the store of one of the rosins used in the rosin example image. It's the first bow that I've bought. My current bow came with my rental. Sure could have used the tips in the video to rosin up new bow, today. Didn't see the video until after I rosined my bow. Welp, will definitely use the tips in the future. Thanks!

[@bridgetchang]

I find it so fascinating that in some videos Ray's accent skews more American and then in others his Aussie accent is much thicker! Just a fun observation knowing he's spent time in both places. Love the videos, Ray, and thanks for sharing these great tips! Retired cellist here but forever a classical music nerd.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

Do you still play?

[@mecrayuh]

This is very helpful! I didn't know about covering up the ferrul but this makes a lot of sense. Will definitely use these tips.

[@ijerry1]

Great tip about the toothbrush! Thanks for sharing :-)

[@saea58]

Thanks! I love the toothbrush idea.🎉

[@anaischingmayjo91]

Thank you for this video. I've been wanting to know exactly what you explained.

[@prithviraj2327]

Thanks a lot that really helped I'm a beginner and didn't know how to apply it😂 that helped thanks

[@user-83hricueb7]

I don't even play violin why am I here?

[@jamer5ive]

I share the same sentiments lol!

[@mccafferyfamily]

You should start...I started at 42 yo and love it....

[@Jessica_Quek]

Same dude I play the piano and im here waiting for the live hahaha

[@kovacszsolt9067]

Viola ?

[@mccafferyfamily]

@@user-83hricueb7 Violin has huge dynamic range but to play softly and sweetly does need some practice

[@HappyG1lm0re]

This video was super helpful even after thinking I knew how to apply rosin. You the man, Ray!

[@Amnesianite]

His metaphors are so on point

[@southpark5555]

4:09 - the JAWS finger-nail scratch on chalk board analogy! Kidding only. I definitely learned some good techniques in this vid! Excellent vid.

[@Colopty]

That toothbrush trick is great, my bow's gonna be so well rosined as soon as I pick up a toothbrush that isn't electric.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

I appreciate you're a revered professional & I do love your playing 😊, but I repair violin family of instruments & the way I prefer to rosin a bow (especially from new) is to lay the bow across the lap (not great when dressed in black) with the hair up, holding it with the left hand. I then hold the round cake (as you do), but I constantly rotate it as I'm rubbing it on the hair to avoid wearing a groove through the middle of it, in small strokes (as you described). That way I can really get the rosin on where I want it more, like the middle areas that tend to get worn off more. I then bounce the back of the stick on my hand to shake off loose excessive rosin & then wipe off any rosin on the stick (an area I usually have to clean back during a rehair).

[@annatat2020]

Thank you! This is very helpful for a beginner - I can make a sound now! I just video called my mom and I couldn't play anything lol Also, I feel like I levelled up just by using a toothbrush :D

[@NehanWathugala]

Hi Ray! Awesome and very helpful video ........ I love your channel and your playing. its awesome. I would very much appreciate if you could do a video on how to properly clean a bow . i think that would be really helpful for my self and all of our fellow musicians..... Thank you!

[@ElaineArmentano]

I just came back from playing the violin ( i took some hiatus) and this video is so helpful for me

[@yingyangmapper5399]

I'm waiting for the actual video, as a violin beginner I hope to learn something to improve my playing and maybe someday I'll be able to join an orchestra

[@1859958]

Thank you, Ray... instantly better! How many years not knowing😢

[@MaggiePerson-b6d]

You’re seriously so awesome! I’ve been wondering how to do this for about a year and a half now… lol…

[@conradgittins4476]

A point worth making is to avoid moving the bow too fast or with too much pressure so as to avoid heating the hair and rosin. Let the hair cut the rosin but do it slowly. You can hear it cut too. Be patient with new hair. It may not seem like it's taking rosin but it is and build it up gradually and test the bow even when you think there isn't enough rosin on the hair.

[@chrisma3256]

Thanks for sharing 😊 never heard that with the tooth brush before. How often you need to rosin your bow will also depend on how much you play I. My kid plays a lot less and doesn't need to rosin her bow that often. Also, my local luthier so messed up my bow (right after cleaning it) putting on some random rosin so I could test the new strings properly (worst luthier ever, made my sound post fall without being able to place it correctly again... my teacher had to fix that)...

[@mrsgingernoisette]

You're a great teacher I wish you had lots of lessons..

[@celli_ec._.]

Ok.. I don’t play violin… but I do use rosin. I remember scratching up my rosin w/ a paper clip to get the rosin dust out😅. I realized I was doing it wrong. Like, there were big lines across the rosin and many cracks.I broke my forbidden candy lol 😂 ( I got a new one with a new bow…. Which I might’ve dropped (both of them…)😅). Also, at 4:10, I never thought I’d hear Ray make that sound on the violin 😂

[@thatviolist_leah]

It’s interesting you use the toothbrush technique because when I was 11 my orchestra teacher had us do this during our lessons. Although since then I hadn’t continued doing it but I think I will start using one again when I apply rosin.

[@Pelixu]

Ordering one soon! Havent played in 5 years i gotta relearn everything

[@msadams925]

Thank you. My 6yr old begins her violin lessons today after receiving hers for a Christmas gift. We were going to cancel because we couldn't get any sound. Thank you for this video.

[@maxwarfield6699]

Is this the same rosin that is used in soldering? Rosin is used in electronic repairs, it helps the solder wire flow better, and you’ll get a finer solder joint, etc, etc. Or is this a special, perhaps more delicate rosin made specifically for violins? Please let me know. Thank you kindly

[@chrissinger24]

I’ve never heard of the toothbrush trick. I’ll definitely give it a shot.

[@ilmiglie3600]

Guys PLEASE don't forget to clean your bow and violin after playing!!!

[@juliejules7780]

What part of the bow do you clean? The hair or wood?

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

@@juliejules7780just the wood. And be careful not to touch the hair. The oils in your skin will prevent the resin from sticking to the hair.

[@olitown_3840]

Im glad to see helpful videos like this since i remember having trouble with simple stuff like this when i started out playing!

[@jhonmiguelnacino6685]

Thanks for this, me and my fellow students who're still learning the violin just slide the rosin to the hair XD

[@10data10]

When I was young my parents had my bow re-haired at the local band shop. They helped us out by applying powered rosin to the new bow hair. I’ve since wondered if that is a best practice.

[@kristenalaska1867]

The one really important lesson to take away from this is why he needed to rosin in the first place. PLEASE get your bow new hair with every change in seasons. Ray didn’t elaborate on WHY he had to put down new rosin. It’s because he had a rehair on his bow. I see so many bows where the hair is old and dry. You know your hair is fried if you can’t grab one of the many on your bow and pull it, stretch it. If it won’t stretch and just “snaps”. You need a rehair. Once you get that rehair then Ray’s video becomes so important. Play on!

[@FranklinDBluth-yq6ww]

Thanks ray. U forgot to tell us about cleaning rosin dust off the violin and bow stick.

[@shiraki5999]

while in a musical piece: - Hey, the play is about to start! hurry up! - Wait, I'm rosin my bow

[@danaharrod9093]

The toothbrush tip was new to me. Makes sense!

[@Shrinksjp]

Het, Ray! my rosin always tends to become brittle and it breaks. I need a sure fire video on vibrato. I CAN'T DO IT despite lessons!

[@Shrinksjp]

there is indication of a reply, but no text. ????????

[@laguitarradepablo]

I wasn't expecting the toothbrush thing 😂 wow

[@Eatinbritches]

That's interesting, I recall a lyric in "The Devil Went Downed To Georgia", which I assumed was supposed to be "risened", but here we are: I learned a new violin-related thing.

[@shantil7764]

Ray’s animations are just so funny

[@SpaceEC]

wish i could come and see you for your Sibelius violin concerto in Edinburgh.... :(

[@johngross9394]

I use Gustave Bernardel Rosin . Thank for the tips

[@namele55777]

what i like to do after applying rosin is to run a microfibre cloth between the wood and the hair of the bow to wipe the rosin off the wood - i know, i know, i'm just ocd.

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super super super tips Augustine violinist from Malaysia

[@gv100_blitz]

That bow hair looks happy

[@vivianguo7872]

A few seconds after Ray Chen said "take care of both your rosin and your instrument", I smashed my rosin on the floor of my living room. I think using a smashed rosin helped the tone of my playing. It immediately improved. But don't do it! I may be wrong.

[@Yu-Fei-Hung]

Nice tip, very few explain it without hay 👍

[@arrowwhiskers]

Probably a dumb question but--is it ever appropriate to wipe rosin off of the strings when there is a large buildup? Sometimes when I feel like I can't get the sound I want no matter what I do, I try cleaning built-up rosin off of the strings with a cloth. Sometimes there is a ton caked on! I can't really tell if cleaning is a net benefit or not but I've never heard anyone talk about doing this. I also buy pretty inexpensive rosin so that may impact how gunky the strings get.

[@guillermoramirez8444]

This is an awesome video! I have seen some violinists quickly swipe their bow in the air like doing the mark of El Zorro 🎩 🦊 , I guess to get rid of excess rosin. Thoughts?

[@kenhuang3820]

You mentioned 2 minutes to rosin can you share with us how many times up and down required for fresh rehaired bow. Because each person 2 minutes might be different And I seen other say for fresh rehair you go up down up to 30 times (15 up 15 down) is that correct? Another violinist KZbinr say you also need rosin on both side of the hair is that correct? Look forward to your answer thank you

[@sophiezhang332]

What rosin is that?👉🏻👈🏻

[@Robmaster_violin]

Can you attach a link to the best rosin please ray?

[@krissingh5016]

Hi Ray! When you have a new cake of rosin do you scratch it or just work it in with the bow hairs?

[@wakingtheworld]

Olaf (the Violinmaker) said to scratch it... so I did!

[@nafizzeybek5300]

Hi Ray, Are you planning to make a video about what are you doing in normal day? Like a Vlog

[@Louise-zs9rl]

OOOOOOOoooooooooppppppps. I have been doing the 16 bar technique and no wonder the rosin was making me sneeze.

[@cackslopper5321]

The Will Ferell edit secured a like and subscribe from me

[@Spiritmourn]

Thank you so much for this tip. I am having issues when I play in rehearsal with my strings sounded brittle and scratchy towards the end, it makes my violin sound terrible and me also as a player. My violin and strings are all very good quality (violin around £18k, strings are pirastro gold ) I mainly play baroque. I've put a humidifier pouch in the case and have a hygrometer but nothing seems to help. Do you have any tips??? Really struggling here. Maybe the church air becomes dry as its always cold in there... I dont know 😕

[@Stone2home]

OK! Cool! Now, how do I keep from playing flat, scratchy notes?

[@mellissadalby1402]

Hi Ray! Thanks for all your help. I bet that toothbrush tastes kind of funny after using it to even up the rosin on your bow!

[@hs964]

Love the new generation- so willing to share knowledge. And not diva like at all

[@jding6266]

Thanks, helpfull and you have a fantastic positive vibe, love it

[@BobaPlayzsolsrng]

I’m going to play a solo in my violin club so this is really useful gotta rosin it everyday😂

[@anjinsanx44]

Great tutorial! Will implement immediately! ! Thx

[@daphnegraham7057]

El movimiento de tu mano en el vibrato es de derecha a izquierda o de atrás hacia adelante ?

[@littleboyx1210]

Thanks for sharing. I am wondering between pirastro goldflex and oliv evah rosin. Could you help me out pls?

[@JosephMusgrove]

Never considered a toothbrush to even out rosin. Appreciate the tip.

[@MusicEnthusiastIlias0520]

What to do when halfway through the concert u find yourself having not enough rossin?

[@MishaSkripach]

Keep going

[@Aaron-xq6hv]

Rosin really doesn't go away *that* quickly.

[@halfwaycrook1962]

​@@Aaron-xq6hvthat must be a very long concert

[@RayChenViolinist]

You stop licking your bow hair -jk that’s also why the toothbrush technique helps 🪥

[@halfwaycrook1962]

@@RayChenViolinist I always brush my bow after brushing my teeth. Due to the toothpaste the hair has become white and shiny👍

[@stoatsnhoney]

I know you're a professional and I"m an amateur, but I am curious if the "semiquaver" technique might ultimately be counterproductive? I've heard rubbing the rosin too fast or in too short a motion will heat it up faster due to increased friction, which will in turn diminish the lifespan on the rosin. Is this true?

[@mohanmedagama4109]

Ohh thank you so much Rey I'm learning the violin by my self so thank you so much❤😊 luv u

[@daviddaasian9685]

The fact that I didn't know this during my 6 years of playing is crazy tho...

[@RayChenViolinist]

Now you know! 🙌🏼

[@antonvf9619]

lany thanks! learned so much! this is so helpfull

[@salomaocabral8816]

I'm loving these videos

[@mbahgugel271]

Does a new violin sound awful no matter the price ? Does a new violin have to be “seasoned” or “trained” so the fiber of the wood learn how to respond to produce sweet and mellow sound ? I bought a new violin, well built, premium materials, set correctly but the sound it produced is so so, what should I do ?

[@KojinCastle]

Got a second- (or third-)hand violin for my 6-yo and it came with rosin but it's so hard I don't know if the film on top is supposed to be there or if I need to somehow take it off. Thanks!

[@ZxelA0214]

Hi Ray, how often should I or can I do the toothbrush trick? It's seems very damaging to the hair and shouldn't be over used.

[@lailataveras6401]

What I had done with my rosin is that I would crack it in order to coat the rosin on the bow. After watching this video, how badly would that damage my bow? Would I have to get a new one?

[@joonsubjun3634]

I really love your contents!!😊

[@chrisdaglis320]

Newbie question: When using a brand new cake of rosin, does it need to be scored or scraped with a razor blade or something first? It doesn't seem to transfer well to the bow hair when it's smooth like that... thanks!

[@randomfrog1196]

I get a lot of airy, slippy and white noise from my bow. Its properly rosined, not too much nor too little... and my hairs dont feel like theyre gripping the strings, its like bowing with flour on the bow. So powdery and dry feeling. Does this mean I should switch to dark rosin? So its be stickier and grip better? And if so, can I just wipe my existing bow hair down with a clean cloth to remove 'most' of the old light rosin before applying the new black? Please advise, I have had rosin problems for 2 years 😂 The struggles of being self-taught.

[@wylim6234]

Do you recommend scratching the surface of a fresh rosin? I was taught that when I first started but don't know if that's the right thing to do 😂

[@Isaactheviolinist]

@RayChen i play the violin i should've came here a long time ago after i got my violin i had just didn't know that you were on KZbin the day when you and Karolina protsenko played together amd then that is when i found out about you thanks for the help and question how would you get the roain off of the bow with damaging it what is the safest way

[@NaomiLin_TW]

Thanks for the tip. Now I will try brush my bow😅.

[@commenter.commenter]

Where can I get good quality rosin?

[@Marii_B]

I still can't forgive myself for how i rosined my bow for the first time without knowing a thing... Some of its hairs came off and i was panicking so hard (But it's fine now lol)

[@Grem305]

I never do it and it helps me bluff my way through as the sound is mellow and less acrid when you do not use it.