One accessory that all string players can’t do without is rosin.
Designed to be applied on a bow, this substance generates the correct amount of friction between the bow hair and strings. This friction is necessary whether you’re using steel strings or synthetic strings- as it enables your instrument to produce sound.
In the following guide, we’ll focus on the rosin of one popular string instrument- the cello. Read on to learn more about the best cello rosin options, and the factors to consider when choosing one.
Reviews of the Best Cello Rosin
1. D'Addario Natural Rosin
If you’ve been playing cello for a while, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard about D’Addario strings. That’s because D’Addario is a prominent manufacturer in the world of string instruments. So it’s no wonder that it’s a highly-rated rosin brand as well.
The D’Addario Natural Rosin for Violin, Viola & Cello has garnered the highest number of reviews, understandably so. It’s affordable and checks all the boxes for what you’d want in the best rosin.
The rosin we’re reviewing is dark. But if you prefer a medium light rosin, it’s available too. According to D’Addario, the dark rosin provides a firm grip while the light one provides less of a grip.
Whichever shade you use, you’ll be impressed by its all-natural composition. Even better, the rosin arrives packaged in a plastic channel. This makes it easier to grasp and apply.
Speaking of application, the D’Addario natural rosin is compatible with all bows. So whether your bow contains synthetic horsehair or bow hair, it works just fine.
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Are you looking for the best cello rosin for advanced or professional cellos? If you are, you should check out the Original Bernardel Rosin.
This medium cello rosin is made by one of the most prominent French violin makers, Gustave Bernardel, so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality rosin. It has a medium sticky texture, which allows it to create a smooth feel. Thanks to this, your cello produces bright and clear tones.
Another thing we love about it is that it can be used on an array of musical instruments; be it violin, viola & cello.
Better yet, it comes in a round cake that is then packaged in a protective satin-like cloth. This makes the cello rosin easy to apply.
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It is no secret that some cellists suffer allergic reactions from using rosin. WOGOD understands this, which is they offer their Light Low Dust Rosin for Violin, Viola & Cello.
It’s made exclusively from natural materials. This not only minimizes dust but it also protects the user from exposure to harm. This makes it an excellent rosin for asthmatic cellists or those who suffer allergies.
The construction of this cello rosin is another feature that sets it apart. It’s gone through high purity extraction and complex production, creating a rosin that has excellent adhesion. This, in turn, results in bright and better sound penetrating.
Lastly, we love the fact that WOGOD offers maximum value for money. The brand provides two cello rosins for the price of one! This product is an ideal gift for a cello player especially if the suffer from allergies to rosins.
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Made in Germany, the Pirastro Cellisto Cello Rosin is one of the more expensive options available.
One of its biggest selling points is its composition, which constitutes natural resin. This results in a higher-quality rosin compared to others.
Another feature that explains the steep price tag is its packaging. It’s mounted to a cloth which makes the application a breeze. It also comes with a plastic holder, which is then kept in a cardboard box for maximum protection.
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The Original Hill Dark Rosin is often ranked as the best professional cello rosin.
Hill Rosins always come in a protective velvet cloth wrap, and this one is no exception. This not only makes it easier to apply but also improves its durability. This rosin comes in a dark - almost green- color, which allows it to provide a better grip for your bow.
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Have you been looking to buy the best high-end cello rosin? If you have, you should check out the Kaplan Premium Rosin.
The biggest selling point of this rosin is the stylish case that it comes packaged in. The case is fitted with a dial on the base, which allows you to turn the rosin with ease. Spinning the rosin prevents excessive wear on one portion of the rosin.
Another reason why we consider this one of the best cello rosins is its composition. It’s made of a nice selection of ingredients that help to minimize rosin dust.
Lastly, Kaplan Rosin is available in both dark and light versions. This enables violin, viola and cello players to find a rosin that works for their stringed instrument.
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The Andrea rosin was just recently redesigned, creating a product that provides a better performance on any stringed instrument.
Initially, it was referred to as tartini rosin. But with the changes in its formulation, it got a new name as well and it’s now known as the A Piacere rosin.
The Andrea rosin comes packaged in a 0.4” by 1.7” block. This provides just enough rosin to apply on your cello bow. Better yet, it makes its application super easy as you don’t have to get your fingers dirty touching sticky rosin.
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Do you live in an area that experiences cold, dry weather? If you do, the Salchow Medium Dark Rosin is your best option. The sticky and softer rosins tend to withstand wintry conditions better, and this is certainly the case here.
Rosin manufacturers sometimes specialize in creating products for a specific instrument. Thankfully, this rosin is created with versatility in mind.
Put simply, it can be used by violin, viola and cello players. In fact, it doesn’t matter what genre of music you prefer as this rosin provides a stellar performance. That said, it’s a bit more expensive than standard cello rosin. But, it’s still more affordable than others like the A Piacere rosin.
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Have you been looking for cello rosin that won’t break your bank? If you have, you should check out Jade Rosin. It’s one of the most affordable options available.
Despite its low pricing, this rosin for cello doesn’t compromise on performance. For one, it provides a smooth and firm grip so you don’t have to worry about accidental slippage.
Secondly, the rosin arrives packed in a protective cloth wrap to ease the application. It’s then stored in a plastic container to prevent damage.
Another thing we like about Jade rosin is its soft texture. This enables it to avoid scratching fine varnishes.
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One thing you should consider when looking for cello rosins is their grip. Fortunately, the Pirastro Goldflex Rosin has provided an extra smooth grip, which is why we consider it to be the best.
A great rosin for violin, viola, cello and other string instruments, the Goldflex doesn’t come cheap. However, it offers an excellent performance that makes it worth buying.
To be specific, it contains tiny flecks of gold within the rosin, enabling it to provide a very firm grip. This rosin also enhances the quality of your instrument’s sound. And, it’s compatible with all brands of strings; whether you have Pirastro strings or not.
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What is Cello Rosin?
If you’re a beginner cello player, you’ve probably looked at the yellow-colored sticky substance that comes in your cello case and wondered what it is. Well for starters, this stuff is known as rosin, and it’s obtained from natural resins.
It’s a cellist's responsibility to apply rosin on the bow so as to create just the perfect amount of friction. The friction ensures that when you run the bow across the strings, your cello produces a soft, consistent and resonant sound.
When it comes to application, it’s crucial that you apply just enough rosin. If you apply an excessive amount, your musical instrument may end up producing a raspy sound. On the other hand, applying very little cello rosin can result in a faint and hollow sound.
Also important to note is that there are different types of cello rosins. As you’ll see in the guide below, they’re classified based on their color and texture.
What to Look for When Buying Cello Rosin
Here are a few of the factors you should consider when picking cello rosin:
Color & Texture
Rosin meant for string instruments usually comes in two main colors: light, or dark. We’ll look at each type to help you make an informed decision:
Light
The most distinct characteristic of this rosin for cello is its lighter/ paler color. And in terms of texture, it’s a less sticky and harder rosin. This enables it to provide just the right amount of friction needed.
Specifically, this cello rosin creates enough friction to vibrate the thinner and more lightweight strings of violins and violas.
Dark
This rosin is not only softer but also stickier than the light variety. This makes it possible for the bigger cello bow to gain adequate traction on cello strings, which are thicker and more dense.
Climatic conditions matter
It’s easy to base your choice of rosin solely on the instrument you play. Although this is crucial, you’ll want to account for the climatic conditions in your area.
Hot, humid weather causes rosin to become softer and stickier. So if you live in an area that experiences such climate, light rosin is better because of its harder texture.
Conversely, the dry, wintry weather causes rosin to firm up. So the dark softer rosin is the most suitable for this climate. As a side note, consider purchasing one of the best cello humidifiers if you live in a dry location.
This means that if you live in a region that experiences extreme weather conditions, you can switch between dark and light rosins accordingly.
Form or Packaging
Based on packaging, cello rosin can further be classified into two: box or cake. Here’s a quick rundown of each type:
Box rosin
With this rosin, the manufacturer molds rosin into a rectangular shape and packs it in a box. So unless the packaging box is customized, the rosin is designed to conform to the width and length of the box.
This rosin for cello offers two key benefits. First off, it’s cheap, which makes it an excellent option for beginner cellists not looking to spend too much.
Secondly, it offers better durability. The rosin is able to retain its structure because of the rectangular shaped box. Besides, the use of a box helps to shield the rosin from chipping and breakage.
Cake rosin
If you don’t mind spending a little more on your cello rosin, then be sure to go with the rosin cake. This is because it’s purer and higher-quality; hence, the higher price tag.
Unlike boxed rosin which is rectangular, cake rosin comes in circular shapes or blocks. But what I like even more is the fact that it offers a higher amount of the powdered rosin in each cake.
On the flipside, applying caked rosin requires more work. Since you don’t have the sides of the box to guide you, you’ll need more control and finesse to apply it properly.
Composition
Another thing you’ll want to pay attention to is the composition of your cello rosin.
Oftentimes, you’ll find non-metallic rosin. But, some manufacturers incorporate metals and other additives, creating metallic rosins.
The concept behind this is that these metals amp up rosin’s static friction, which in turn, improves the tonal quality.
The most common metals incorporated are: gold, silver, copper and lead-silver. Gold rosin is revered for having a warmer and clearer tone. So if your cello has been producing a rather harsh sound, gold rosin can make the sound more defined and warmer.
Silver, on the other hand, helps your instrument to produce a warm and bright tone. This one is more suitable for individuals who play the violin or viola.
For young cellists, who are just starting to learn this instrument, go with a copper rosin. It produces the most defined sound. Finally, lead-silver boosts the warmth and clarity of sound.
FAQs
What rosin do professional cellists use?
The Original Bernardel Rosin is the most popular option among professional cellists, and it’s easy to see why.
It creates a smooth feel on your cello and helps produce a brighter tone. It’s in the form of a round cake, which is stored in a suedette cloth inside a pouch.
Is dark or light rosin better for cello?
For a cello, you’ll want to look for the dark rosin. Its soft and sticky texture makes it ideal for the larger bows and strings of cellos and basses.
How is violin rosin made?
Rosin is the solid version of resin extracted from pine trees and other conifers. This hardened tree sap is made by mixing resin with other ingredients, such as beeswax. The resulting mixture is then cooked/heated and then poured into a mold to create its shape.
Is cello rosin different from violin rosin?
Yes, it is. The primary difference between them is texture. As mentioned earlier, the best rosin for cellos is the dark one because it’s pretty soft.
However, this shouldn’t be used on a violin as it may diminish sound quality and create a mess on your violin bow. For violins, the most suitable rosin is the light one as it helps players achieve a smooth sound.
How to put rosin on a cello bow
When you buy rosin for the first time, it has a smooth and glossy appearance. This gives you the impression that it’s ready to use, but it actually isn’t.
You ought to roughen up its surface before applying. This allows it to adhere better on your cello bow rather than sliding over it.
To achieve this step, scrape it gently using either a fork or sandpaper. Do this until the rosin appears dull or dust starts popping up. Once it’s prepped, follow these steps to apply it on your bow:
- Start by tightening your bow; being careful not to touch the bow hairs with sticky fingers.
- Hold the cello bow using your right or dominant hand and the rosin with the remaining hand.
- Then place the rosin at the base of your bow, and run the bow across the rosin’s surface.
- Repeat the process, ensuring that you’re applying an even coat of the rosin on your bow. It’s almost as if you’re bowing your cello into the rosin. Meanwhile, remember to spin or move the rosin to a different position for each stroke. This allows it to wear out evenly.
How to clean rosin off cello strings
If you’ve applied too much cello rosin, you might be looking for a way to get rid of the excess. To do this, look for a microfibre cloth and gently wipe off the rosin from the strings. Don’t be alarmed if you see a white powder. It’s merely the rosin residue and it comes off very easily.
Conclusion
There are a couple of things that you should consider when choosing the best cello rosin. The main factors include type, color, texture and packaging.
You will also want to think about the climatic conditions in your region. For wintry conditions, softer rosin (dark) is the most suitable. And for hot seasons, opt for harder rosin- either the light or amber variety.
That said, the D’Addario Natural Rosin is one that comes highly recommended. Its all-natural composition is one of the key reasons why it’s ranked among the best dark cello rosins. This enables it to create quality sound in your musical instrument.
And if this dark rosin fails to meet your expectation, you can get it in a lighter version as well. But ideally, light rosin works better for violin and viola players whereas dark rosin is the most suited for cellists.
