Horizontally? Vertically?

[stephanie]

Didn't want to hijack the '11 chords' thread...

Originally posted by Don Higdon
On another thread I spoke about defining tonality horizontally as well as, or instead of, vertically. The answer to this question requires knowing the harmonic context.

Sorry for the silly question: I see posts like this all the time that mention horizontal/vertical. What exactly does it mean in regards to chords, chord progressions, or what-have-you?

Thanks,
Stephanie

[Michael Case]

It refers to melodic lines and chords. Vertical up and down is a chord as played on a piano or guitar because the notes are stacked. Horizontal, is side to side, a walking bassline is horizontal so is a melody.
Hope this makes sense.

[stephanie]

Ahh yes, that makes sense. I knew it was a simple answer lol.

Thanks Mike.

[Don Higdon]

Originally posted by stephanie
Sorry for the silly question: ...What exactly does it mean ...etc.
Thanks,
Stephanie

There's no need to apologize for trying to learn.
That's my opinion, and I think it's shared by most DB regulars. We quickly figure out who's serious. Nobody starts out being an expert, and not many end up that way, either.
As for tonality expressed horizontally. If you sing "Pop Goes the Weasel", you won't need a key signature to tell the tonality. A more sophisticated example of spelling chords horizontally would be the original Gerry Mulligan quartet, but my guess is that's not your bag. That's OK.
Now run for your life; when the big hand reaches 12, I get nasty.