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Glite Dictionary
bourdon

bourdon

9.9
A pipe on a bagpipe or organ that makes a low steady drone note
  • noun
  • /ˈbʊərdən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bordón
  • play a bourdon

Examples

  • Play a broken Bourdon. Play a moving Bourdon.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Play a broken Bourdon. Play a moving Bourdon.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Play two notes together in a Bourdon.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Add moving and/or broken bourdon.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Sing again and play Bourdon Ostinato on F&C?

    Academic text (2015)

  • Kindergarten and first-grade children can easily learn to transfer simple ostinatos and bourdons from xylophones to keyboards.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The bourdon of the organ filled the church with a rich, continuous sound during the service.

  • As she played the bagpipe, the bourdon provided a steady drone beneath the melody.

  • The musician adjusted the bourdon pipe to ensure it was perfectly in tune before the performance.

Synonyms

drone
vsbourdon
16 5.2

A long low steady sound that plays behind a tune

refers specifically to a tuned pipe producing one fixed continuous tone
drone pipe
vsbourdon
8.8

A pipe on a bagpipe that makes a steady background low note

is the same pipe type but also used in organs and fixed pitch
bordun
vsbourdon
  • Specialized
9.9

A steady low sound an instrument makes to support the main tune

focuses on a single tuned pipe producing a fixed continuous tone

Surface Forms

bourdon singular
bourdons plural

Etymology

The word bourdon comes from French bourdon, which used to mean 'bumblebee' or a low buzzing sound. That's why the bourdon on a bagpipe or organ is the deep, steady 'drone' or 'buzz' note that keeps sounding.