What is rosin and what do I need to care for my violin?. I am new to this and purchasing my first violin this week and need to know what I need to buy besides the violin and a beginner book.

Thanks!!!

Well, in addition to the violin, you'll need a bow (obviously) and a shoulder rest. Some people go without the shoulder rest, but the vast majority of violinists use it - it elevates the violin and lets it rest comfortably on your shoulder, keeping it in place and from sliding around. You may also want to invest in a cheap tuner if you don't have a keyboard handy. The strings tune (from low to high, right to left) G, A, D, E.

Rosin is a hard waxy resin that you apply to bow strings to make them grip the violin strings. Without enough rosin on your bow, you won't get a sound out of your violin (or a very breathy sound). You'll need to apply A LOT of rosin to a new bow - rubbing the rosin cake up and down the bow AT LEAST 50 times. This is for a brand-new bow that hasn't been used before. In time, you'll only need to use it a few times a week, but new bows need a lot of rosin to break them in.

Good luck! Even if you plan to teach yourself, most people here (including me) would recommend taking at least one lesson with a violin teacher to make sure that you're holding the violin and bow correctly, and for some tips on getting started - that way, if you get really good and want to play with a group, you won't have to break any bad habits you picked up. And you might want the teacher to put some tape (removeable) on the fingerboard to help you learn where you fingers should go. Once you get used to the positions, just pull it off.

So it is like a block of waxy type stuff you rub up and down on the bow to help it slide?

Rosin is not waxy. It is a bit sticky. It is derived from coniferous tree resin. It doens't help the bow to slide; it helps the hairs to grip the strings.

Also you should know that you should not touch the bow hairs with your fingers because the oil from your skin will mess it up if you do it enough (trust me, i learned the hard way). Also if you do any plucking, do not pluck the area between the brige and fringerboard because of skin oil(once again). Pluck above the end of the fingerboard.

Good luck learning.

Although someone suggested a shoulder rest, I would recommend starting without. Because if you ever want to be able to move onto playing without one in the future, it will be harder for you to adjust after having used one. I am 12, I have been playing violin for six years with the best teacher around, who is known worldwide and her method is to start with a shoulder rest, bcause you can become dependent on it, so if you ever have to play without one, it could mean trouble. :0

excuse me, i had a type. her method is to start WITHOUT shoulder rest so you DON'T become dependent on it. sry about that. hope i didnt' confuse you.