Violin elementary question

[stormx]

Sorry for my ignorance...

I have a very basic doubt about the violin (same apply to viola, cello, double bass...).
How do you play a triad chord?
I mean, from my complete ignorance about violin playing, but observing the instrument design, i see that the bow can be in contact, at most, with 2 strings (at most).

So, how to play 3 simultanous notes? 

[ce nedra]

You dont ever play 3 notes at a time. Its is impossible. But you often get 3 or 4 note chords. What you do in, for instance, a 3 note chord is: First play the bottom string and the middle string, and then play the middle string and the top. All in one movement. In one bow. You kind of "share it".

In a 4 note chord, you do the same, but play the bottom 2 strings and then the top 2. Also in one bow and smooth movmement.

This is the basic way of violin chord playing. If however, you do not want it sounding like 2 notes, put the bow on the bottom string and bow across all 4, one at a time, fast. (again, only in one bow)

I'm not used to explaining violin techniques so say if I dont make sense.

[berrt]

I once saw a "funny trick"- violin player:
he loosened the hair, put the violin through the gap between the hair and the wooden part of the bow and then played 4-voiced (with the wooden part of the bow under the violin).

B.

[quantum]

According to Blatter's Instrumentation and Orchestration tripple and quadrupple stops are possible under certain circumstances.  The range of dynamic is usualy between loud and very loud.