Substance used by violin players NYT Crossword clue hints and answers

“Substance used by violin players” is easy for those who dabble in musical instruments and perpetual torture for those who have no clue in the July 9 edition of the NYT Mini Crossword.

The annals of music history are littered with fine instruments: the Saxophone, Double Bass, Trumpet, Piano, and the violin. Capable of producing sweet and somber notes, the violin is at the heart of today’s clue we’re analyzing, and the answer is a tough one.

Hints and answer to substance used by violin players Crossword clue

• Hint 1: It sounds like a common chemical substance.
• Hint 2: The substance is applied to the bow.
• Hint 3: It aids friction when using the violin.
• Hint 4: It begins with an “R.”

This is your final warning before I reveal the complete answer below.

“ROSIN” is the answer to the “Substance used by violin players” clue for the July 9 Mini Crossword. As the clues directly hint at, rosin (typically lighter variants of violins) is used to increase grip and strengthen the friction between the bow and the instrument—allowing for a clear and defined sound. No rosin makes for weak and barely intelligible notes, and it’s necessary for any violin player.

Full answers for the July 9 NYT Mini Crossword

ACROSS

• 1A Substance used by violin players — ROSIN
• 6A One of the world’s largest land animals, familiarity — HIPPO
• 7A Trojan War epic — ILIAD
• 8A N.B.A. team that recently agreed to its first trade with the Knicks in over 40 years — NETS
• 9A Lyric poems — ODES

DOWN

• 1D One of the world’s largest land animals, familiarity — RHINO
• 2D Well-___ machine — OILED
• 3D Petty ill will — SPITE
• 4D “Skip me,” in a game — I PASS
• 5D Nonverbal agreement — NOD

Substance used by violin players crossword clue difficulty rating

I don’t play the violin, I have never played the violin, nor do I intend to play the violin. However, my limited musical knowledge and pointless trivia helped me remember this musical tidbit—but I think this is a very niche clue. Definitely a four out of five in terms of difficulty, and there’s a good chance you need to solve the answers around it to crack the case.

How to play more Crosswords after solving the NYT Mini

The LA Times and Washington Post are essential sources for quizzes and puzzles similar to the NYT Mini Crossword format. Strands and Spelling Bee are also additional word games I encourage you to check out and are very handy for killing a few minutes during a quiet period and giving your brain a mental workout.