Expert: Margaret Jiang - 11/15/2006

Question
is there a proper method to applying the resin onto the bow?

Answer
Dear Nick,

Yes, there is a proper method to apply the rosin onto the bow.

First, you should apply rosin every day. (if you play everyday) Because this will prevent damage to your bow and you will be able to make more sound more easily (than if you didn't have sufficient rosin on your bow).

The proper procedure. Turn your bow so that the hair part faces you. Look to the bottom. You should cover with your thumb the part where hair meets metal so that when you apply rosin you precious rosin will not be chipped on the sharp metal part. In doing this not only will you be preserving your rosin but you will also be able to apply rosin to the WHOLE bow (because of course you need to use the whole bow in playing).

Now take the bow firmly and press the hair on the rosin (with some pressure) and move the rosin up and down the bow hair. Use an "up, down (don't cover as much bow length), up (same length as the first "up"), down (don't cover as much bow length" motion to move UP the bow. And vice versa for DOWN. Move your rosin the length of your bow about 5 times and you're done. You can apply more rosin on parts of the bow you use most (for example, upper middle).

You can check your rosin-applying skills. If white stuff is flying everywhere, you're putting too much rosin on your bow. If you touch the hairs with your fingers and nothing comes off it, you need to put more rosin on it.

That pretty much covers it.
Happy rosin-ing.
-M.