What is that technique in violin, that you actually play 3 or 4 strings by alternating and bouncing them?

Question

I have seen this technique in that famous Mendelssohn violin concerto in E Minor, Op. 64. I think it is somewhere in the middle of the score.

Answer 1

That is ricochet bowing. There are two types of ricochet bowing, one of which is the type you are referring to: the one that goes over all four strings and then back. (The other incorporates a bounce stroke and then an up-bow ie William Tell)

Double stopping and playing chords is very different from this. In ricochet bowing (at least in the section of the Mendelssohn you are talking about) notes aren't played together. They are played one at a time, very quickly for a very cool effect.

Spiccato is more of a off the string bow stroke. Usually a higher bounce than sautille.

Pizzicato is plucking the string.

Answer 2

Bouncing on a string is called spiccato. It's not really a famous technique... it's about as common as vibrato is. It is also not exclusive to the Mendelssohn E minor. I know of the passage you're talking about, it's just spiccato with chords.

Ricochet bowing is slightly different; it's an especially fast spiccato. You find ricochet in Paganini's Caprice No. 1 and, of course, the beginning to William Tell.

Answer 3

Playing more than one string is called double-stopping.
Any more than that would involve moving the bow in rapid circular motion which might be what you're referring to. That would usually be acheived by playing arpeggios.

Answer 4

I think it's called ricochet bowing... or double/triple/quadruple stopping... I haven't played in so long I forgot the terminology, but it's so fun to do :)

Answer 5

Pizzicato. Not making that up.

Answer 6

"Pizzicatto", my dear friend. (Hope I spelled it correctly!)