bourdon

Definition of the French term bourdon in music:

1. drone (continuous note of low pitch)
2. organ flute stop of 16' or 8' pitch with a dark and buzzing tone (usually played with the pedals, equivalent to "Bordun" in German and "Bordone" in Italian)
3. the largest bell of a carillon
4. the lowest string on a lute, violin, violoncello or double bass
5. the lowest drone pipe of a bagpipe
6. the drone string of a hurdy-gurdy

French musical terms related to bourdon: