Nashville Number System
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. It resembles the Roman numeral 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 can be used by someone with only a rudimentary background in music theory. 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. 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.
Scale degrees and major chords
The Nashville Number System, is similar to 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.
| Nashville numerical notation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| So-Fa names/Solfège | Do | Re | Mi | Fa | So | La | Ti |
| Common musical notation | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
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:
1 4 1 5
represents a four-bar phrase, in which the band would play a C major chord, an F major chord, a C major chord, and a G major chord.
Here is an example of how two four bar phrases can be formed to create a section of a song.
| NNS | Played in key of C | Played in key of G |
| Verse) 1 4 5 4 1 1 5 5 | Verse) C F G F C C G G | Verse) G C D C G G D D |
Accidentals modifying a scale degree are usually written to the left of the number. 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
A number by itself represents the enharmonic triad on the scale degree:| Nashville numerical notation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Chord type | major | minor | minor | major | major | minor | diminished |
| Chord type | minor | diminished | major | minor | minor | major | major |
| Chord type | minor | diminished | augmented | minor | major | major | diminished |
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 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: 47 5sus 57 1 would stand for
F7 Gsus G7 C in the key of C, or
E7 Fsus F7 B in the key of B. A2 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 is written as 1/3; G/B is written as 5/7; A/G is written as 6M/5; F/G 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. 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
- = m = minor= dominant 7th
Δ = major 7th -
° = diminished
° = diminished seventh
° = diminished major seventh
= augmented 5th
ø = ø = half diminished seventh
= augmented minor seventh
= Δ = augmented major seventh
Rhythm and articulation
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 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. 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
by Creamer and Layton 1918Verse, mm.7-23 :
1 . . . | 2 . 5 . | 1 . . . | 2 . 5 .
3 . 6° 3 | 6- 3 6- . | 2 . 6 2 | 5 2 5 .
1 . . . | 2 . 5 . | 1 . . . | 4 . . .
♯4°. . . | 1 . 6 . | 2 . 5 . | 1 . 1.
Chorus, mm.24-43 :
4 . 4Δ . | 4-. ♭7 . | 1Δ . . . | 6 . . .
2 . . . | 5 . . . | 1 . . . |. . . 1
4 . 4Δ . | 4-. ♭7. | 1Δ . . . | 6 . . .
2-. 6 . | 2-. 4- ♭7 | 1 . 3 . | 6-. 2.
1 . . . | 4 . 5 . | 1 . 2-. | 1 . .