The Nashville Numbering System

This overview of the Nashville Numbering System is meant to answer some basic

questions about the origins and uses of it, as well as create the ability to functionally use

the system.

So, what is the heck is the Nashville Number System and why do I care?

ONE CHART = ALL KEYS

ONE PATTERN = ALL KEYS

A SHORTER LEARNING CURVE = LESS COSTLY THAN TAKING YEARS OF

MUSIC THEORY.

If the first two statements did not sell it, maybe the last one will…

So, how does it work and where did it come from?

The Nashville Number System is an “informal” method of transcribing music by

denoting the scale degree on which a chord is built. It was developed by Neil Matthews

in the late ’50s as a simplified system for the Jordanaires to use in the studio and further

developed by Charlie McCoy for use by instrumentalists. Vocalists are often trained to

sing in intervals (ironically enough, this is called “Interval Training”), and trained or

experienced vocalists could translate a root note into a series of harmony tones due to

their tonal interval. These intervals are based on patterns inherent in music. This interval

of notes used in creating harmonies progressed into a written form of charting music.

The written system often uses Arabic numerals and does not explicitly state the

quality (e.g., major or minor) of the chord. The reason the system has become commonly

known to musicians is that by writing chords as numbers, music may be easily transposed

to alternate keys. As a simple system of transcription, it can be used with only a

rudimentary background in music theory, and may not be as intimidating to learn for

musicians unfamiliar with traditional notations.

If a set of musicians has basic familiarity with the Nashville Numbering System,

improvisation and jam sessions can be quickly explained using numbers. Impromptu

chord changes can be communicated mid-song by holding up the corresponding number

of fingers.

Nuts and Bolts

Now let’s look at a chart of the major scale and corresponding numbers. All numbers are

relative to the key you decide to play in. Remember that the traditional Major Scale

“count” is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, (Maj)7, 1/8/Root. We might need to expand that slightly to: 1,

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, “7(th)”, “Maj7”, 1/8/Root for more advanced applications, but the traditional

Major Scale is adequate for this overview. The numbers indicated for the individual

chords correspond with the individual notes found in the standard Major Scale. If you’ve

ever seen The Sound of Music, you know the Major Scale (“Do/Doh-Re-Me-Fa-So-La-

Te-Do/Doh”). The natural qualities of the chords indicated above are the “normal”

chords without any variation (i.e. C2, Csus4, Cm, C7, etc.).

The qualities of the chords in a “natural” progression (in a Major key) used with

the Nashville numbering system are:

1 - Major

2 - Minor/Minor 7th

3 - Minor

4 - Major

5 - Major

6 - Minor

7 - Minor Diminished

Here’s a key piece of news about the Nashville Numbering System: A chart using

numbers vs. the notes or letter chords STAYS THE SAME NO MATTER WHAT THE

KEY. The “Root” key changes, but the chart never does. The other good news: The

pattern NEVER CHANGES, even if the key does. You don’t need to be a musical

theorist to understand and play a piece of music in a different key, but just be able to

apply the SAME PATTERN TO ALTERNATE KEYS!!

The chromatic scale is all twelve notes/tones in a musical octave. There are an

infinite number (variations) of obscure musical scales, modes, or other “deep theoretical”

combination of tones (a whole step) or semi-tones (half step) that are relatively

uncommon in most popular music today. Approximately 95% of the songs that are

played in modern churches or on the radio today fit into some variation of the pattern

indicated.

Conclusion

That is the absolute basics of The Nashville Number System. If you find this interesting,

a Google search of the topic will open the door further. A couple of suggestions for

deeper study.

The Nashville Number System by Chas Williams: This resource is considered to

be the authority on the topic. No one covers everything as thoroughly as Chas does in his

book and CD.

The Nashville Number System Dial-A-Chord: This site looks a little hokey, but it

explains the system well and offers a dial chart for sale. This could be very useful to

some.

A useful web-link: http://www.nashvillenumbersystem.com/intro.html