ChordLinie

ChordLinie is a term used in music visualization and analysis to describe a linear representation of chord sequences. In a typical ChordLinie, each chord in a progression is plotted along a horizontal timeline, while attributes such as root, quality, or functional harmony can be encoded by color, vertical position, or line thickness. The format emphasizes the trajectory of harmony, modulations, and relationships between successive chords, and it is used to compare sections within a piece or across performances.

Construction and features include data inputs from chord names (for example C, Am7) or functional analyses (I, vi, IV, V). The visualization often uses a polyline or a sequence of connected points to show movement over time. Some implementations allow users to filter by key or mode, adjust the level of rhythmic or harmonic granularity, and overlay additional information such as tempo or cadence points.

History and applications: The concept arose with the rise of digital music analysis and educational visualization tools in the 2000s and 2010s. It has been adopted in music education software, analytical interfaces for composers, and research into harmonic motion. Variants of the approach may use different naming, such as “ChordLine” or “ChordPolyline,” depending on the software ecosystem.

Reception and limitations: Proponents value the quick overview of harmonic trajectories and modulatory pathways, while critics note that linear representations can oversimplify complex textures and polyphonic layers. See also: chord progression visualization, roman numeral analysis, harmonic graph.