AboutDavid Expertise I mainly aim to answer questions about playing techniques--intonation,
vibrato, bowing etc. I am somewhat familiar with Baroque and Classical music, though not as much with Romantic. I am unable to answer questions about advanced music theory, violin crafters/brands or the monetary value of a violin.
Experience I have played the violin about nine discontinuous years. Most of my work has been orchestral, with some soloing throughout. I was principal 2nd violinist of the Disney Honors Orchestra in 1998, a six-time All-State Orchestra violinist, a two-time assistant concertmaster and two-time concertmaster of my All-County Orchestra. I also have perfect pitch, which I believe can be learned (though I do not claim to know how to teach it).
Since starting medical school in 2004, I have had fewer chances to play, but I hope to someday resume on a regular basis.
Question i'm not a violin player but my daughter is about to be. we just bought her first
violin and it came with a piece of rock hard rosin. I slid it up and down on the
bow hair many times but there is no white powder and it seems nothing is
transfering onto the hair. the bow makes no sound on the strings. Is the rosin
supposed to be warm or sticky. it feels like brown glass
Answer Hi Ruby,
Good question, with an answer which is not obvious at all. My sincere apologies for the delay, I have been without my computer for a week. Brand new rosin has a smooth, shiny surface which needs to be roughened before it serves its purpose. Take a piece of fine sandpaper and gently sand the rosin's surface until it is reasonably rough throughout. No need to do this on all the surfaces, just the one that you'll be using on the bow hair. You can use a nail file instead, but I think sandpaper would be a bit more effective. There is no need to warm up the rosin; the above approach will work.
Sincerely, David
