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What is rosin?
Rosin is a need for bowed instruments. It is a transparent yellowish / blackish piece of "chalk" applied to the bow to introduce friction when the bow is played on the strings.


When to apply rosin?
When you feel that the bow produced very soft or faint notes, even when you applied pressure.


How?
Rub full bow to rosin evenly, from frog to tip and tip to frog. Repeat.


*It is important is that one should not touch the bow hair or the chalky left over on the violin.*


Why?
Simple equation: Rosin + Moisture = Non-removable sticky yellowish product.
This product, if found on your bow would spoil your bow as the affected area would no longer produce the best results when played.


So?
Clean the white chalky substance found on the violin after practices and do not touch the bow hair with your hands, even if they are dry. (Anyway, you are suppose to deal with the violin only with dry hands). Of course, the rosin itself (also the violin), should be kept at a dry and good consistent temperature.

I want to wish all mothers a very Happy Mother's Day. Mother's deserve this special dedication.

But did you know how Mother's Day came about?
The modern Mother's Day holiday was created by Anna Jarvis as a day for each family to honor their mother, and it's now celebrated on various days in many places around the world. In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases "second Sunday in May" and "Mother's Day", and created the Mother's Day International Association.

What are the strings on the violin?
There are four strings on the violin, namely "G", "D", "A", "E" from thickest to thinnest, where "A" = 440 Hz.


Pitch Range?
From G3 (G below middle C) to C8 (the highest note of the modern piano.)


Materials?
Various types of metals. Of course, better metal would cost more.


Price range?
They are normally sold in a set from approximately $5 to $50. I use the $50 strings and i have a set of $5 string for spare, in case of emergency.

There is a lot to consider when buying a violin. A summary is as follows.


1) Budget.
There are many factors affecting the price of a violin. Eg. Material, craftsmanship, origin. A beginner should be able to get a student violin under $200.


2) Size.
I think many do not know, but violin comes in different sizes. From 1/32 to 4/4 (Adult size). It is necessary to have violins of different sizes to cater for users of different built. The height of the user varies accordingly to the user's arms length. And yes, if you grow, you have to change your violin.


3) Looks and finishing.
You might not know, but the best looking violin with cool colours and thick vanish may not be able to produce it's best sound. Plastic coats would restrict the violin to produce a clear, loud and crisp quality of a music piece. Do also note the material -wood. It should look normal, with no holes and no gaps between the joints.


4) Fine tuners.
Someone did tell me before that the lesser the fine tuners there is on a violin, the better the violin is. He is somehow right. But i guess he do not know the reason. It is because that a good violin would not go out of tune easily, so there would be no need to do any frequent / major tuning. (I mean it will not go out of tune that often). There would most probably be only a fine tuner needed on the "E" string as it is thin and hence easy to break when not handled with care.


5) Shoulder rest.
It is an additional piece that is highly recommended for beginners to allow them to maintain the violin at a horizontal level - projects the sound effectively. However, do note that as the shoulder rests would need to grip at 4 locations on your violin with it's rubbered leg. It would affect a minor bit on the sound quality. Also, do remember to get one with the correct size for your violin.