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Honorary tenured advisor
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Okay, all turorials I saw about applying rosin and how often were saying that you don't need to do it everytime you play, or just a quick pass or two then you are good for a while... I dunno if it's my rosin who is cheap (it was coming with the kit) but I find myself having to reapply rosin after only maybe 30 min. Is it normal? My sound just go suddenly bad and the bow gets way too slippery on the strings. Or am I totally confused about this and it's not the rosin but another problem? Would love some advices please 
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
NoirVelours,
Did you apply a lot of rosin the first time? The first time you apply new rosin to a new bow you will have to do it for about fifteen minutes. The cheaper rosins do come off quickly and leave a lot of powder behind but if it is rosined up good the first time it should last a long time, not every 30 minutes. Try a dark rosin. I use Hill dark green rosin or try some of the dark rosins from http://fiddlershop.com/DAddari.....name=rosin.
The rosin that came with your violin is more than likely a light rosin and very cheap. Articles I have read re: rosin, say it depends on your geographical location. I don't know how true they are, but some say if you live in a warmer climate to use a light rosin because it's harder, if you live in a cool climate to use a darker rosin because it's softer and adhere's to the hair better.
I have both, the light rosin came with a cheap violin I bought about 6 yrs ago. I have another (dark) rosin "SHERMAN'S VIOLIN ROSIN", that is dark, another cheap rosin. Recently I bought a dark rosin which I paid $27.00, called "LAUBACH GOLD ROSIN", it seems to be ok, but then i'm not an expert on rosin.
You probably want Fiddlerman's input on this, he's more qualified on this subject, although everyone has their own personal preference and opinions.
Good luck with it.
Honorary tenured advisor
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I live in Québec so I guess I should go with a dark or amber rosin. My bow came already rosined (a nice attention from the place I bought it from) but I still applied more and I apply each time I play, so 2 times per day, but it comes off so quickly it's like it's not adhering correctly to the strings, so annoying!
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
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NoirVelours said
I live in Québec so I guess I should go with a dark or amber rosin. My bow came already rosined (a nice attention from the place I bought it from) but I still applied more and I apply each time I play, so 2 times per day, but it comes off so quickly it's like it's not adhering correctly to the strings, so annoying!
I found a cork lined dark rosin cube in my violin case. My luthier said it was at least 100 years old, but gave me the go ahead to use it. But like you, I have found I need to reapply after only a short time. And this is the bow that originally came with the instrument.. Rehaired of course. I'm interested to get a "pro" opinion here as well..
Honorary tenured advisor
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I read that rosin has a life of about 1 year. After that it gets too hard or too soft depending on the kind. Anyway, it was recommended to change it after a year.
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
Anytime you get a bow from the manufacturer, they are usually rosined. When the rosin is applied, the man doesn't stand there with a hunk of rosin in his hand and keep running the bow over it, they use a powdered rosin for this.
If you take your bow to have it rehaired from a Luthier, they will do the same thing, use powdered rosin. If the hair is completely clean and free of rosin, it makes absolutely no sound at all.
There is definately a noticeable difference in rosin quality and i've been told by my Luthier that rosin does get old, I don't know that for sure, just what he said and what I have read. If that's true, who know's how long it's been setting before being used.
http://www.rutmansviolins.com/
Here is link you may want to try or as Kevin pointed out
Mr Rutman called me personally to tell me my rosin had been shipped.
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NoirVelours said
I read that rosin has a life of about 1 year. After that it gets too hard or too soft depending on the kind. Anyway, it was recommended to change it after a year.
Well that just might be why it hasn't been working! 
LOL.
Honorary tenured advisor
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Maybe they shipped me old rosin with my violin lol! Anyway I hate how it's presented, in a box plastic case. I know it's easy to slip the bow in a cased rosin but just dislike the feeling, I want a round cake! Anyone tried the Jade L'Opéra yet? It gets goods reviews?
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
Mmmm... Guys, so interesting here 
. I use this monster:
It came with my cheap violin. It's a light one and cheap. It's definitely older than a year (4 years minimum)... I live in Russia. We have winter here about 6 months a year. So geographically i'm supposed to use a dark one, for sure (i'll probably get it someday LOL). Though i rosin my bow quite rare. After about 5-6 playing hours (can't say that i play soft - my poor bows are mad on me i believe for my treatment..). And i am blessed. I don't have any problems 
So i'd agree with Kevin: i guess You could apply a little more rosin. Make it plenty of rosin covering the hairs and play for a while like this. You may see how it comes off the bow when You play. And observe how long it'll be playable... At least excess of it could be easily removed with a soft piece of cloth =)
Honorary tenured advisor
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I just finished my morning/noon practice and applied so much rosin I played in a cloud of dust LOL but... it sounded better, so I really think my violin wants stickier rosin. I think somehow my bow hair got dirty because the rosin doesn't seem to want to be applied equally along the bow resulting in good sound at some part and screech at others! Anyone know how to clean this up?
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
You're awesome, NV! First week and so much happened already...
Try this topic, might be helpful..
Honorary advisor
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Huh. My (light) rosin is about 10 years old and works fine. I only have to apply it for every four or five hours of practice time.
I also have a chunk of the original rosin which is probably about 100 years old. I was thinking about shadowboxing it with the other original components that had to be replaced on my fiddle. I just haven't had time yet.
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well, for what it's worth, poorly made rosin will never be great rosin so I would venture a guess that the age will have little effect on it. But a really GREAT world class rosin DOES have a shelf life, whether or not it's of any importance to beginners is subjective.
Only one mfg that I know of in the world, still makes rosin the old way with only fresh tree sap, and if you can get on the list to order, and wait the year it takes to obtain the option to order a limited amount of 2 cakes, you will play with the best rosin made in the world... hopefully your abilities will equal it's quality.
There's a lot of education here...
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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After reading this thread thoroughly, I keep hearing of rosin accumulating on, or near, the frog causing a mess. I've been playing with my bow for the past 13 mo.s, approximately 120hrs, with no sign at all of mess around the frog. And I wonder if a tip my teacher gave me on day one is the reason.
His advice when rosining is to place the thumbnail of your right hand on the hairs immediately in front of the frog. I don't know what technique everyone else uses when rosining up, but maybe this was very useful advice from my teacher. Just thought I'd throw it out there.
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Great advise. I say the same thing on one of my videos as well. I never nick my rosin thus it looks perfect all the way to the end. I had a piece of rosin that was about the thickness of a quarter and I was so proud to show everyone because it should have cracked and chipped many times before it finally did.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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