fauxbourdon in music meaning | TheMusicDictionary

Meaning of Fauxbourdon in Music

Fauxbourdon is a musical texture that was prevalent during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It is characterized by three voices progressing primarily in parallel motion. The technique involves two voices, the upper and lower voices, progressing an octave or a sixth apart, while the middle voice doubles the upper part at a fourth below, often extemporaneously.

The earliest explicit example of fauxbourdon may be found in the manuscript I-BC Q15, compiled around 1435, which contains several examples, including one by composer Dufay dating probably to around 1430. Dufay's contribution to this collection contains the first actual use of the term "fauxbourdon".

Fauxbourdon can also refer to the use of progressions of parallel sixth chords. It is worth noting that fauxbourdon is related to the English technique called faburden, and the two practices may have evolved from each other.

In summary, fauxbourdon is a compositional technique that involves three voices progressing primarily in parallel motion, with the upper and lower voices progressing an octave or a sixth apart, while the middle voice doubles the upper part at a fourth below .

1. In plain song, this term implies simple three part harmony, the plain song being the top voice, and the two other voices each, respectively, a sixth and a fourth below the plain song. This practice may have evolved from the English faburden, or vice-versa.

2. Simple harmonization of plain song in four parts with no polyphonic elaboration.

3. In hymn singing, a fauxbourdon is a treble descant superimposed upon the melody sung by the congregation.