fauxbourdon Definition
a style of musical composition used in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, characterized by the harmonization of a plainchant melody with two voices moving mostly in parallel intervals a sixth apart, with the lower voice a fourth below the melody and the upper voice a tone above it.
Using fauxbourdon: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "fauxbourdon" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The choir performed a beautiful piece of music in fauxbourdon style.
Example
Fauxbourdon was a popular technique in the 15th century.
Origins of fauxbourdon
from Old French 'faux bourdon', meaning 'false bass'
Summary: fauxbourdon in Brief
The term 'fauxbourdon' [foh-boor-don, foh-bur-] refers to a musical composition style used in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It involves harmonizing a plainchant melody with two voices moving mostly in parallel intervals a sixth apart, with the lower voice a fourth below the melody and the upper voice a tone above it.
