Kathryn Litherland (asker) Feb 11, 2008:

Yes, the notation makes sense in the context--the "on three strings" seems to be a suggestion to select a fingering that moves portions of a particular passage back and forth between the E, A, and D strings, rather than playing the passage all on the E and D strings. The passage marked "on two strings" is actually several measures of repeated D, which the notation seems to indicate is to be played in a pattern that shifts between open D string and 4th position on the G string.

Mikhail Mezhiritsky Feb 11, 2008:

Sure about the на трех струнах? It is not physically possible to play on three strings at the same time (assuming, you are using a modern bow).