Horizontal vs Vertical playing

[Barry Anderson]

Just sharing some observations for no particular reason. When I first started playing, my entire approach to learning and playing was focused on the horizontal aspects of the guitar. That glissando is so enchanting. Then learning the harmonized scales and really began to open up ideas about how to move between positions in a more musical way. But lately, I'm finding that there is a certain sound - it feels like an older sound - that can only be really achieved by thinking and playing vertically. Leaning into and leveraging all of those intervals that are laid out before us without ever even having to move the bar. This coincides with efforts I've been putting into focusing more on palm blocking, all of which feels like it's opening up a territory that feels funkier, more bouncy.

That is all. Much love.

[Dennis Detweiler]

Similarly like a guitar player playing vertical and doing some string bending. I do both, plus the pockets which requires horizontal.

[J D Sauser]

There is two ways "Horizontal vs. Vertical" is interpreted when it comes to music and playing stringed instruments:

1) one comes from classical instruments (bowed) like the Cello where "Horizontal" means ACROSS the strings (which is something E9th PSG players could be viewed as inclined to do), vs. "Vertical" meaning ALONG the strings/neck (which is a playing style Hawaiian players are inclined to do). Btw. many standard guitar players tend to mis-name them inverted because how they hold the guitar.

2) on the other hand, the two terms are also used to discern learning concepts either superficially as "horizontally", while "vertically" meaning mastering a few concepts deeply. Vertical practice is helping to develop a unique style and improving musical "creativity". I would THINK, the difference between "just" rendition vs. analysis and thus the ability to apply the learned material elsewhere, around any key center, even morph it Major/minor etc. The later leading more into becoming able to improvise.

I am inclined to believe the OP is using "Horizontal" vs. "Vertical" as to the second meaning of these terms in music. And yes, I would agree and encourage to pursue that over sounding exactly like particular example.
"Play" with it, "fool around" with it. Make it more playable on YOUR instrument while retaining the "message", make it so you CAN play it, at the level of technical proficiency one has at the moment. Play it at least recognizably similar on different string groups, so one can play it off ANY key center... and then you're good to go!

... J-D.