Linearity (music)

In music, linearity is used to describe the sequence of tones, in particular the tone sequence of a melody or a motif or the successive connection of intervals and harmony sequences. This is in contrast to the so-called verticality in music, i.e. the simultaneous sounding of intervals, harmonies or the respective determining aspects that are focused in the sound, for example the spectral analysis .

Linearity is also a design option in music, in which the connection of the tones of a voice meets linear requirements and several voices designed in this way do not necessarily follow a vertical principle. Expressionism in music can serve as an example .