Page "Double bass" Paragraph 37

String players apply rosin to the bow hair so it will " grip " the string and make it vibrate.

Double bass rosin is generally softer and stickier than violin rosin to allow the hair to grab the thicker strings better, but players use a wide variety of rosins that vary from quite hard ( like violin rosin ) to quite soft, depending on the weather, the humidity, and the preference of the player.

The amount used generally depends on the type of music being performed as well as the personal preferences of the player.

Bassists may apply more rosin in works for large orchestra ( e. g., Brahms symphonies ) than for delicate chamber works.

Some brands of rosin, such as Pop's double bass rosin, are softer and more prone to melting in hot weather.

Other brands, such as Carlsson or Nyman Harts double bass rosin, are harder and less prone to melting.