Walls and Ceilings - Framing Partition / 12 foot high ceilings

One of my customers asked me to help with some renovations in a commercial space he owns. I've done a lot of odd jobs and have some experience in construction and renovations, but I'm relatively new to framing partitions.

In this building the ceilings are 12 foot high. There's enough room I can assemble the entire partition on the floor, then raise it up and knock them into place. Should I do it this way, or would it be better to put the studs in one by one (stick framing)?

My worry is that we'd have a bear of a time knocking in a wall that high. I've helped people do this before, and we had enough trouble knocking residential walls into places where we were standing on solid ground. I imagine it could be tricky trying to swing a sledgehammer while standing on a ladder.

And what type of lumber should I use? Is 2x6 a better choice for a wall this high?

Another question is what do you call those horizontal pieces that go between the studs. Is there a rule how many and where they go?

I would use 2x6's and stick build due to the weight involved. What kind of ceiling is present where the partition is being built? The pieces between the studs are called blocking.

I would use 2x6's and stick build due to the weight involved. What kind of ceiling is present where the partition is being built? The pieces between the studs are called blocking.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking the same thing.

I don't know what the ceiling is like I haven't seen it yet.... that brings me to another question. If a partition runs parallel with the joists above, but in between two joists, what should I do to support the wall?