Nashville Number System Chart App
Nashville Number System Chart Examples
Nashville Number System Musicians

In an effort to consolidate my online affairs, I’ve decided to retire this blog. My primary blog site is ThatJonathanRiggs.com, where I discuss the music, acting, and family affairs. And gratitude. I always want to encourage gratitude.

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Nashville Number System for the key of C and G As you can see, the numbers are always the same, while the key can change. If we say: a 1-4-5 song in the key of C, that's means C, F and G. A 1-4-5 song in the key of G, is G, C and D. THE NASHVILLE NUMBER SYSTEM iPad App Writing NNS Charts On Your iPad Music notation is made simple with this shorthand system which puts chords into numbers 1 through 7 and streamlines the page into a simple and clean format. Forget about pencil, erasers and photocopy! The Nashville Number System: A Basic Approach. There is a better way, and it’s called The Nashville Number System (NNS). I’ve created a very basic version of it for handing out to your teams to get you started– here is the PDF Download of the NNS Chart. There are many charts out there for a quick reference on each major and minor key. Some of the charts do not use Roman numerals, instead of the Nashville Numbering System. This system was invented in the late 50's and often used by Elvis Presley's backup singers The Jordanaires.

My Best,

Jonathan

This is the 10th and final post in a series that introduces the chord charting method known as the Nashville Number System. The previous post can be found here. In this post, we’ll summarize the advantages of the Nashville Number System.

In summary, the Nashville Number System is a convenient way to notate popular music. Pros like it because it’s a fast way to chart a song. While listening to a demo in the studio, the session player often will finish the chart before the song is over. Using numbers takes fewer pages per chart (most songs take only one page) and allows for key changes on the fly. But perhaps the most important advantage is a musical one. By simplifying the chart, the system allows for the individual expression of the musician. You can get your head off the page and listen, which is how the best music is made. With the right players, the end result of collective creativity surpasses what a single arranger could create.

Want to know more about the Nashville Number System? Order my “gig bag book” Diamond on the 1: your guide to the Nashville Number Systemfor just $7.95.

This is the 8th post in a series that introduces the chord charting method known as the Nashville Number System. The previous post can be found here. In this post, we’ll look at a popular song and chart it.

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(Photo courtesy of Jessica.Kat). OK, so if you’ve been reading these posts on the Nashville Number System you’ve endured a good bit of theoretical concepts. Today, we’ll look at a specific example. Consider “You Are My Sunshine.” This song starts with pickup notes (“you are my”) before the first full measure. The chords will start on the downbeat (at the lyric “sunshine”).

You Are My Sunshine

1 1 4 1

4 1 1 5 1 (repeat until end)

This is all it takes to notate this song in numbers. Take out your guitar or sit down at the piano and give it a whirl.

Because we’re not told otherwise, assume the meter is in 4. Note how each measure is equally spaced and that the rows accurately represent the four-bar phrases of the song. Remember that the underlined chords (i.e. 1 5) indicate that both chords are played within the same measure. Because we’re not given a specific rhythm, assume the 1 chord on the first half of the measure (beats one and two) and the 5 chord on the second half (beats three and four).

Let’s look at this song and assume the key of G. The G major scale is G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#. Using this key, 1=G, 4=C, and 5=D.

Now let’s assume the key of Eb. The Eb major scale is Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, and D. Using this key, 1=Eb, 4=Ab, and 5=Bb. Of course, the chart doesn’t tell us what key the song is in, but that’s the point. The key is irrelevant to the chart.

In the next post, we’ll discuss how to handle songs in a minor key using the number system. Want a compact introductory reference to the Nashville Number System? Check out my book, Diamond on the 1. Yoshi 27s crafted world how to save money.

This is the 7th post in a series that introduces the Nashville Number System. The previous post can be found here. In this post, I’ll explain how to notate the meter of a song and the rhythm of changing from one chord to another.

Metric Notation

The meter of a song defines the number of beats in a measure. Traditionally, the meter is given by the time signature. Common time signatures are 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8, usually referred to as four, three, and six, respectively. (They’re also notated as fraction with one number on top of the other, but this font won’t display them like that). The clearest communication you can give on a chart is to write the time signature at the top of the chart with the key. However, it is not uncommon to see a chart without a time signature. When this is the case, the assumption is that it is in four.

Harmonic Rhythm Notation

How do you notate when one chord changes to another? Use the following guidelines:

A chord by itself is assumed to last for one full measure.
If a chord is to be played over consecutive measures, it should be rewritten once for each measure. For example, “1 1 1 1” would mean to play four bars of the 1 chord.
Chord changes within a measure are grouped together. This is usually done by underlining, but can also be done with boxes, parentheses, or a vertical bar. (See examples).
When two chords are grouped within a measure, the first chord is played during the first half of the measure and the second chord, the second half, unless notated otherwise. For example, in 4/4 time, to notate a measure where the 4 chord is played on beats one and two and the 5 chord played on beats three and four, use any of the techniques in the side illustration.
Specific rhythms can be written above (or sometimes around) the chords using rhythmic or slash notation. For example:

Here’s a chart that I did recently of a hymn arrangement of mine. Note how the time signature (3/4) is notated on the chart as well as the meter changes (to 4/4). Also note how the specific rhythms are notated above and around the chords. Perhaps the most important thing to notice, is that I don’t write rhythms above every chord, only the exceptions are necessary.

To see more examples and graphics of this in action, be sure to check out Diamond on the 1: your guide to the Nashville Number System at DiamonOnThe1.com. In the next post on this series, we’ll take a common song and chart it, explaining how it can be played in any key.

This is the sixth post in a series that introduces the Nashville Number System. The previous post can be found here. In this post, I’ll explain some notational guidelines for making number charts for guitar

Nashville Number System Chart