Does one need to continue to "rough up" their rosin?

[huashandreams]

Hi Everyone,

I used some sandpaper to initially prepare my rosin and rosin my new bow. Since then the rosin is now matte although not a mirror finish 
as when I received it. I noticed there was very little dust around my sound box after practice to clean up so I thought perhaps it is too smooth to adequately
rosin the bow. I went ahead and sanded it again(lightly) and it did seem to improve my bowing exercises but I've read on the forum about too much
rosin on bows so I thought I would post this question.

Any advice would be appreciated. 

[d̗̰̗͆͘ǎ͔̱͈̰̬̫ͨ̌ͮͥ͗ͭ̕vid]

what kind of rosin r u using? usually i use amber pirastro rosins

when i get new rosin, i score the surface lightly till its dull with a key
i do this only once 

before i practice, i apply around 5 slow strokes of rosin on each side
too much is when u flick ur bow hairs and u see too much powder

[huashandreams]

Hi David, I am using the Pirastro Piranito rosin which I think is amber too. Thank you for your advice I
am working on a general list of what to do as I progress this helps tremendously.
I read somewhere on the forum rosin according to feel or sound you are getting. I am beginning to get a feel for this
but I like your idea so I have one less thing to think about.

I am fortunate to have a day and evening time to practice and I find this instrument addicting so I can easily
practice 1.5 hours twice a day.

[davidmdahl]

I never rough up the rosin when new or after using it for a while. The risk is particles of rosin that are too large for a smooth sound. A new bow simply takes a lot of strokes to get enough, maybe around 70 or so per side of the bow hair. After there is some rosin on the bow, it is easier to get rosin off a cake. Depending on how often I play, I put about five or ten strokes of rosin per side every week or so.

Be sure to wipe off excess rosin from the strings and erhu body.

Best wishes,

David

[huashandreams]

I see ,Davidmdahl, you do not rosin every session it depends on your frequency. I understand. I think that is a good rule of thumb you pick up with experience. I've also been using that folded paper trick to keep the rosin off the strings from the bow when I put it up. Tan Sung Wah showed it on his blog.

I do wipe down the instrument and strings as it can get pretty sticky quick! Best, Mike