Re: nashville number chart Nashville numbering chart uses Arabic numerals and the coloration of the chord is noted as in: 2 major or flat 7 or 3 minor. A lot of theory types use capital Roman numerals for major and lower case for minor, so a II means D major in the key of C, and a iii means E minor in the key of C. The Nashville Number System Gigbook - Individual Chord Charts: $0.99 each- download only. Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Click to learn more about the Nashville Number System Gigbook.

The Nashville Number System is a method of transcribing music by denoting the scale degree on which a chord is built. It was developed by Neal Matthews in the late 1950s as a simplified system for The Jordanaires to use in the studio and further developed by Charlie McCoy.^[1] It resembles the Roman numeral^[2] and figured bass systems traditionally used to transcribe a chord progression since as early as the 1700s. The Nashville Number System was compiled and published in a book by Chas Williams in 1988.

The Nashville Number System is a trick that musicians use to figure out chord progressions on the fly. It is an easy tool to use if you understand how music works. It has been around for about four hundred years but sometime during the past fifty years [approximately 1953-2003] Nashville got the credit.

The Nashville numbering system provided us the shorthand that we needed so that we could depend on our ears rather than a written arrangement. It took far less time to jot the chords, and once you had the chart written, it applied to any key. The beauty of the system is that we don't have to read. We don't get locked into an arrangement that we may feel is not as good as one we can improvise.

The Nashville Number System can be used by someone with only a rudimentary background in music theory.^[2]Improvisation structures can be explained using numbers and chord changes can be communicated mid-song by holding up the corresponding number of fingers. The system is flexible, and can be embellished to include more information (such as chord color or to denote a bass note in an inverted chord). The system makes it easy for bandleaders, record producer or lead vocalist to change the key of songs when recording in the studio or playing live, since the new key just has to be stated before the song is started. The rhythm section members can then use their knowledge of harmony to perform the song in a new key.

• 2Chord type

Scale degrees and major chords[edit]

The Nashville Number System, (also referred to as NNS) is similar to (movable-do) Solfège, which uses 'Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti' to represent the seven scale degrees of the Major scale. It is also similar to roman numeral analysis; however, the NNS instead uses Arabic numerals to represent each of the scale degrees.

In the key of C, the numbers would correspond as follows:

C=1, D=2, E=3, F=4, G=5, A=6, B=7.

In the key of B♭, the numbers would be B♭=1, C=2, D=3, E♭=4, F=5, G=6, A=7.

The key may be specified at the top of the written chord chart, or given orally by the bandleader, record producer or lead singer. The numbers do not change when transposing the composition into another key. They are simply relative to the new root note. The only knowledge required is to know the major scale for the given key. Unless otherwise notated, all numbers represent major chords, and each chord should be played for one measure.

So in the key of C, the Nashville Number System notation:

represents a four-bar phrase, in which the band would play a C major chord (one bar), an F major chord (one bar), a C major chord (one bar), and a G major chord (one bar).

Here is an example of how two four bar phrases can be formed to create a section of a song.

Accidentals modifying a scale degree are usually written to the left of the number. ♭7 ('flat 7') represents a B♭ major chord in the key of C, or an A♭ major chord in the key of B♭, or an F major chord in the key of G.

Chord type[edit]

A number by itself represents the enharmonic triad (music) on the scale degree:

If the song includes other chords besides these triads, additional notation is needed.

If a chord root is not in the scale, the symbols ♭ or ♯ can be added. In the key of C major, an E♭ triad would be notated as ♭3.

Minor chords (outside the key) are noted with a dash after the number or a lower case m, In the key of D, 1 is D major, 1- or 1m would be D minor. Similarly a major chord can be noted with a capital M. In the key of C, 2 is D minor, 2M is D major.

Other chord qualities such as major sevenths, suspended chords, and dominant sevenths use familiar symbols: 4^Δ7 5^sus 5⁷ 1 would stand forF^Δ7 G^sus G⁷ C in the key of C, orE♭^Δ7 F^sus F⁷ B♭ in the key of B♭. A superscript ² means 'add 2' or 'add 9'.

Chord inversions and chords with other altered bass notes are notated analogously to regular slash chord notation. In the key of C, C/E (C major first inversion, with E bass) is written as 1/3; G/B is written as 5/7; A/G (an inversion of A7) is written as 6M/5; F/G (F major with G bass) is 4/5. Just as with simple chords, the numbers refer to scale degrees; specifically, the scale degree number used for the bass note is that of the note's position in the tonic's scale (as opposed to, for example, that of its position in the scale of the chord being played). In the key of B♭, 1/3 stands for B♭/D, 5/7 stands for F/A, 6/5 stands for Gm/F, and 4/5 stands for E♭/F.

Depending on the style, you can use chord inversions to achieve an alternative sound when using the Nashville Number System. Some examples that could be applied to practice is the 1-4-5 chord progression. Lets say we use the C minor chord and couple it with an inverted F Minor chord to a G diminished. The sound attributes changes subtly. This can be effective when you're attempting to capture a specific emotion or sound.

Chord qualities[edit]

- = m^[2] = minor
⁷ = dominant 7th
Δ = major 7th - (it takes four characters to write 'maj7' as opposed to one, 'Δ')
° = diminished
°⁷ = diminished seventh
°^M7 = diminished major seventh
⁺ = augmented 5th
ø = ø⁷ = half diminished seventh
⁺⁷ = augmented minor seventh
^+M7 = ⁺Δ = augmented major seventh

Rhythm and articulation[edit]

NNS charts use unique rhythmic symbols as well, and variations in practice exist. A diamond shape around a number indicates that the chord should be held out or allowed to ring as a whole note. Conversely, the marcato symbol ^ over the number, or a staccato dot underneath, indicates that the chord should be immediately choked or stopped. The 'push' symbol ('<' and '>' are both used) syncopates the indicated chord, moving its attack back one eighth note, to the preceding 'and'. A sequence of several chords in a single measure is notated by underlining the desired chord numbers. (Some charts use parentheses or a box for this.) If you underline two numbers it is assumed that the chord values are even. In 4/4 time that would mean the first chord would be played for two beats and the second chord would be played for two beats. 2- 5 1 means a minor 2 chord for two beats, then a 5 chord for two beats, then a 1 chord for four beats. If the measure is not evenly divided, beats can be indicated by dots or hash marks over the chord numbers. Three dots over a given chord would tell you to play that chord for three beats. Alternatively, rhythmic notation can be used.

Example[edit]

'After You've Gone' by Creamer and Layton 1918

Verse, mm.7-23 (Play realization on guitar and, for comparison, the score Play):

Chorus, mm.24-43 (Play realization on guitar and, for comparison, the score Play):

See also[edit]

• Nashville E9 tuning and Nashville tuning (high strung)

References[edit]

1. ^The Nashville Number System by Chas Williams — This book has been used by Belmont University, MTSU, ETSU, Lee University, Liberty University and many others to teach the NNS. It includes the CD 'String Of Pearls and number charts of the songs by Nashville studio musicians and producers; also interactive charts of the songs.
2. ^ ^abcMiller, Michael (2005). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, p.243. Penguin. ISBN9781592574377. 'The Nashville Number System is very much like the Roman numeral notation system, expect it uses regular numbers...instead of Roman numerals.
3. ^Costello, Patrick (2003). The how and the Tao of Folk Guitar: Volume One: Getting Started, p.54. Funkyseagull.com. ISBN9780974419015.
4. ^Marshall, Wolf (2008). Stuff! Good Guitar Players Should Know: An A-Z Guide to Getting Better, p.70. Hal Leonard. ISBN9781423430087.

External links[edit]

• The Nashville Number Fake Book by Trevor de Clercq — This book includes a detailed overview of the Nashville Number System as well as complete charts for 200 acclaimed country songs.
• The Nashville Number System – Site for the book Song Charting Made Easy: a Play-along Guide to the Nashville Number System by Jim Riley, with a preview including charts and play-along music tracks
• The Number Song – a chart with (auto-playing) audio explanation and playthrough by Jimi Whitelaw, Chip Hardy, Rod Lewis, and Tim Grogan of Nashville Demo Studio. Shows standard musical notation such as repeat signs, D.S. al coda, rhythmic notation, and staccato dots used in a Nashville Number System chart.
• Learn the Nashville Number System – information on rhythm notation is included in the Flash-based 'Nashville Number System Quiz and Rhythm Tutorial'. Also includes a separate Flash-based ear training quiz.
• Oral use example: 'Ok.. it's a standard 12 bar in 'G' but add a 2 on the bridge ...kick it off from the 5 ... hit the 4 on the way down and then into the 1 ... watch me for the 2'
• Diamond on the 1 – a 'gig bag book' by Nashville musician Jonathan Riggs that introduces the basic concepts of the Nashville Number System

Publisher Description

Nashville Number System Chart Downloads

In the late 50's, Neil Matthews devised a musical number system for the Jordanaires to use in the studio. Charlie McCoy and fellow studio musicians began adapting Matthews' number system into chord charts. The Nashville Number System has evolved into a complete method of writing chord charts and melodies---combining Nashville shorthand with formal notation standards.
The Nashville Number System is 136 pages with a step by step method of how to write a Nashville number chart for any song. Included with each NNS eBook in Edition 7 is the audio from the album, String Of Pearls. This is a 10 song collection of instrumentals, including, Amazing Grace. I walk you through the details of each song and explain the Number System tools used to write the charts. On each chart is a music icon that you can tap to play the song while you watch the chart. Now, while listening to the song, you can see and hear how Nashville number charts work.
The Nashville Number System also includes a collection of handwritten number charts for each song from the cd, String Of Pearls. Each song is charted by hand by:
• Charlie McCoy (Hee-Haw arranger/Session Musician and
Recording Artist)
• David Briggs (Session Keyboardist/Arranger)
• Eddie Bayers (Session drummer)
• Jimmy Capps (Studio guitarist, Grand Ole Opry Staff Band)
• Brent Rowan (Studio guitarist/Producer)
• Lura Foster (Charts for TV shows: Nashville Now, Music City Tonight, Primetime Country)
• John Hobbs (Session Keyboardist and Producer)
• Mike Chapman (Session Bassist)
• Biff Watson (Session Guitarist)
• Chris Farren (Producer/Guitarist)
• Tony Harrell (Session Keyboardist/Studio Owner)
Each of these musicians wrote 5 number charts in his or her style from the String Of Pearls cd. For example, the song, String Of Pearls, has charts written by: Charlie McCoy, Brent Rowan, John Hobbs, Jimmy Capps and Biff Watson.
The song, Waylon, has charts written by Tony Harrell, Lura Foster, Chris Farren, Biff Watson and Eddie Bayers. The idea is that you’ll be able to compare, side by side, some of the different styles of notation and symbols you can use to chart the same piece of music. So, you can flip between different charts written of the same song and compare them as you listen to the song.
These different charts represent the kinds of numbering techniques that you are liable to run into in almost all of the major recording and television studios, clubs, showcases, rehearsal halls, and other situations where music is performed in Nashville.
The Nashville Number System was originally written and published in 1988 by Chas. He has rigorously updated and edited the book for each of 7 subsequent editions. Featured here is the 2015 printing and 7th edition of The Nashville Number System; with the inclusion of songs from the cd, String Of Pearls. By word of mouth, this book has become the most recommended source for learning the Number System.
The Nashville Number System is used as a text at more than 10 Colleges: Berklee College of Music, in Boston; Belmont University, in Nashville, ETSU in Johnson City, Tn, MTSU in Murfreesboro,TN; Lee University, in Cleveland, TN, Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. and Morehead State University in Kentucky are a few.
With this book, you also get access to the String Of Pearls interactive chord charts. On your computer, you can watch animated number charts as you listen to the songs. There will be an optional click track with each song and a highlight moving from chord to chord in time with the music. You can see exactly how to count each measure in real time with the music. Counting bars is probably the hardest part of the number system to teach. With interactive charts, you will be able to see, hear and feel how the NNS works.
I wrote all of the songs to demonstrate different feels, how to feel phrases and understand counting bars. For example, Winter Break is an 8ths Country Rock, Waylon is 6/8 with a Halftime feel and Pelican Shuffle is a 2 beat shuffle that goes into a Ray Price shuffle during the choruses.
As you listen to the songs, you’ll be able to compare some of the different styles of notation and symbols Nashville musicians use to chart the same piece of music. The different charts show the kinds of numbering techniques that you are liable to run into in almost all of the major recording and television studios, clubs, showcases, rehearsal halls, and other situations where music is performed in Nashville.
So, whether you are a songwriter trying to get your material performed, a band leader teaching songs from a record, a producer teaching an arrangement or a musician learning an arrangement in the studio, The Nashville Number System is a great way of presenting your songs and musical ideas.

Customer Reviews

Best way to understand number charts

I actually own the book, and was not aware of the download version. I’ve bought the earlier book before this also, but the “String of Pearls” came with a CD. It was especially useful. On a computer you were able to see where the music changed along with the chart. It is really terrific! He has done a great job. I don’t know how this works on a phone, but I bet it’s wonderful. I had bought some of his books give away to friends, too. I will now be recommending this! How awesome!! If you want to understand the Nashville Number System, just buy it. It will be inspiring. On top of that, you can see how other top name musicians use it on the same song. It also lets you make it a language of your own. It’s great!

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Nashville Number System Chart For Guitar