Fauxbourdon is a contrapuntal technique originating in the early Renaissance, often resulting in parallel sixths, though not exclusively so. Today this term is frequently used in a broader sense to indicate any passage of parallel sixth chords, regardless of the musical period.
(Very) Select Bibliography
Gjerdingen, Robert O. Music in the Galant Style (New York: Oxford University Press, 2007).
IJzerman, Job. Harmony, Counterpoint, Partimento: A New Method Inspired by Old Masters (New York: Oxford University Press, 2018).
Sanguinetti, Giorgio. The Art of Partimento — History, Theory, and Practice (New York: Oxford University Press, 2012).
Trowell, Brian. Fauxbourdon [faulx bourdon; fau(l) bordon, fau(l) wordon; fauburdum] (Fr.; Ger. Faberdon, Faberton, Fabordon, Fabourdon etc.; It. falsobordone; Sp. fabordón, favordón; Port. fabordão), in: Grove Music Online, accessed 28 June 2026.