Supporting Black Creatives and Performers Through ROSIN! Really Cool and Fun Rosin

 I, along with many people, celebrated the idea of making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Juneteenth has traditionally been celebrated on June 19 and marks the day in the year 1865 when Union Army General George Granger read out General Order No.3 in Galveston, Texas. That proclamation announced the end of chattel institutional slavery in Texas, the last state to have "legal" slavery. Of course, it took the point of the guns of the United States Army for slaveholders in Texas to release their slaves. There have been many horrific twists and turns on the march towards freedom for all Americans, but Juneteenth has been a traditionally celebrated Black holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery as a legal institution in all and in each of the United States of America. 

Ted Ellis, Scholar in Residence at Old Dominion University talks about Juneteenth

Sometimes, It's The Little Things That Count

Written by Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins
and Angie Newgren

Okay, so you have practiced, and practiced, and practiced (just like you're supposed to!). You have a nice violin (viola, or cello), you've matched it with a good bow, and hopefully you have a nice set of strings.  Is there anything else you can do to bring your instrument's sound to the next level? Of course! We previously wrote a blog on 10 things to improve the sound of your instrument. In addition to these 10 things, there are a few other simple steps you can take to get the most out of your instrument.

10 Things You Can Do Today to Make Your Violin, Viola, or Cello Sound Better

Written by Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins

Every string player wants to sound better. Here are 10 things you can do today (not tomorrow, not next week) to make you and your instrument sound better.

1) Practice. Hah! Bet you didn't think that was one of the 10 things. But it is. Practice the hard parts, practice with quiet concentration, put the time in and you'll get multiple dividends out.

Rosin - clearing the dust!

Written by: Amy Tobin of Fein Violins

Rosin is an absolute necessity to a string player. Without it, we wouldn't make any sound at all, so learning how to use it, and which kind to use, is essential!

When it comes to rosin, for any string instrument, there are two basic kinds: light and dark. Light rosin is usually lighter in color (this is not always the case, especially with cello rosin), and it is a bit harder than dark rosin. Light rosin can be a better choice in the summer, or in warmer climates, because it takes a little more heat and humidity to soften it. Dark rosin is a great choice in the winter because the softer rosin will provide a little more grip on those cold, dry days.

As I mentioned before, the world of rosin can be extremely overwhelming! There are so many different kinds, so many different prices, how do you know which kind to use?!