harmonicalong

harmonicalong is a term found in contemporary music discourse to describe a concept or technique that centers on extending and aligning harmonic content along a musical line. The phrase is not standardized and can refer to several related approaches rather than one fixed method. In practice, harmonicalong commonly involves maintaining a continuous bed of harmonics that support or interact with a melodic contour.

In performance, the idea may be realized by prolonging harmonic overtones using extended techniques, electronics, or looping. String players might produce natural or artificial harmonics and hold them while the melody continues elsewhere. Winds and brass performers may employ multiphonics or carefully controlled breath to sustain overlapping overtones. In electronic or electroacoustic settings, synthesis or processing can generate a sequence of harmonics that evolves along the duration of a piece, creating a long, evolving harmonic texture.

In composition and analysis, harmonicalong can describe a design where harmonic content evolves in tandem with the melody, or where gradual changes in overtone structure shape perception of the piece’s space and timbre. The term is often used informally in artist notes, workshops, and discussions on extended technique.

Origin and usage: The term has appeared sporadically in late-20th and early-21st century experimental music literature. It is not widely adopted as a formal technical term, and its exact meaning may vary among writers and performers.

See also: drone, overtones, extended technique, spectral music, harmonic progression.