My father has asthma but would like to play the violin but is allegic to some rosins . What next?

Do electric violens need rosin.Any rosins you have tried and been successful with if you have allergies or asthma. Thank you to all.

All violins require some sort of rosin on the bow to make sound. Electric violins do not differ from acoustic violins in this regard.

You might explore "Clarity" rosin, which is sold here:
http://www.folkmusician.com/Clarity-Hypoallergenic-Violin-Rosin/productinfo/9250/ I have not tried it, so I cannot say if there is a difference in sound using this substance.

You did not say how extreme your your father’s allergy was. Minimizing the exposure might help, or it may make no difference, perhaps trying the following:

1) Don’t apply any more rosin to the bow than is necessary, and "flick" though the hair away from the face, to remove excess before he plays.

2) Wipe down the strings, top of the instrument, and bow stick with a soft cloth to remove all the rosin dust after each time he plays.

3) Make sure that your father does not handle the rosin except with a cloth or the felt wrapping.

July 17 2010 05:30 pm | Asthma

5 Responses to “My father has asthma but would like to play the violin but is allegic to some rosins . What next?”

  1. Mary Says:
    July 17th, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    If he is allergic to the rosins, can he take allergy medication. Is it the touch or skin allergy, then he could wear long sleeves and gloves. If it is respiratory, can he wear a mask. Just a thought.
    References :

  2. sluggy Says:
    July 17th, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    There are several makes of hypoallergenic rosin.
    References :

  3. LillyB Says:
    July 17th, 2010 at 11:31 pm

    Pockl another instrument that doesn’t have resins. Would someone with asthma benefit from a wind instrument?
    References :

  4. violinner Says:
    July 17th, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    All violins require some sort of rosin on the bow to make sound. Electric violins do not differ from acoustic violins in this regard.

    You might explore "Clarity" rosin, which is sold here:
    http://www.folkmusician.com/Clarity-Hypoallergenic-Violin-Rosin/productinfo/9250/ I have not tried it, so I cannot say if there is a difference in sound using this substance.

    You did not say how extreme your your father’s allergy was. Minimizing the exposure might help, or it may make no difference, perhaps trying the following:

    1) Don’t apply any more rosin to the bow than is necessary, and "flick" though the hair away from the face, to remove excess before he plays.

    2) Wipe down the strings, top of the instrument, and bow stick with a soft cloth to remove all the rosin dust after each time he plays.

    3) Make sure that your father does not handle the rosin except with a cloth or the felt wrapping.
    References :

  5. horizon9595 Says:
    July 18th, 2010 at 12:37 am

    Yes, electric violins use rosin, but that doesn’t mean your father can’t play it. There is an allergy free, hypoallergenic rosin called Clarity, available from Supersensitive String Company. You can find it at most musical supply stores and on the Internet.

    Clarity contains no rosin acid components whatsoever. Other rosins claim to be allergy free, but be careful, they are not.
    References :

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