Nashville Chart

[Mike Barrow]

Anyone heard of the Nashville Chart?
We've used it in church. It's a way to play using numbers . Example ; in the key of C C being the tonic = 1 then F =4
and G=5. (C F G ).
Has anyone used the chart before?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Anyone heard of the Nashville Chart?
We've used it in church. It's a way to play using numbers . Example ; in the key of C C being the tonic = 1 then F =4
and G=5. (C F G ).
Has anyone used the chart before?

Nashville Number System. Widely used and there are a ton of articles on the web. It's also great for guitar players that can just use a capo and know a few chords. If you know ~8 chords, can play them well and handle the rhythms, you can be proficient in any key with NNS. This should probably should be in a different section.

 

[JRA]

it's a long-standing style of chart-making: "the nashville number system."

 

[donk]

it really works, especially when you need to change keys. there is a great book by Chas Williams.
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[Mike Barrow]

Nashville Number System. Widely used and there are a ton of articles on the web. It's also great for guitar players that can just use a capo and know a few chords. If you know ~8 chords, can play them well and handle the rhythms, you can be proficient in any key with NNS. This should probably should be in a different section.

What section should that be?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

What section should that be?

Probably Tablature and Notation, but I don't really care. Not trying to be a forum nazi.

 

[two fingers]

Anyone heard of the Nashville Chart?
We've used it in church. It's a way to play using numbers . Example ; in the key of C C being the tonic = 1 then F =4
and G=5. (C F G ).
Has anyone used the chart before?

Oh yeah! If you know your scales you can follow along hundreds and hundreds of songs with an NNS chart.

Will you play the bass line from the album? Nope.

But, with a good ear and paying attention to those around you, you sure can play something that fits.

 

[micguy]

We use it in church services for impromptu things - vamping during baptisms, etc. Music director calls numbers into our IEM’s, and we follow.

 

[Russell L]

I like using Roman numerals. In C:

I = C
ii = Dm
iii = Em
IV = F
V = G
vi = Am
vii° = Bdim.

In any major key, notice that:

I, IV, and V are major.
ii, iii, and vi are minor.
vii° is diminished.

That's how building chords in thirds works based on the major scale.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Most all of my church sheet music is in NN. Have used NN for years.

Praise music can and will use 6 of the 7 chords in a progression and the changes come quickly. So you do not have a lot of time with each chord, therefore roots or R-5 is about all the time you will have for each chord.

Again the NN System lends itself to this and should be in your bag of tricks. Donk in post #4 mentioned Chas Williams book and gave you a link.

Here is another video link you may like to review. video, chas williams, nashville system - Bing video

I like to have the lyrics shown to help me with the chord changes so I just take the fake chord sheet music and mark over the chord name with NN 1 2, 3, etc.

 

[jpmcbride]

This system is used almost universally in the blues world. Rarely charted, but used on the bandstand as an easy way for musicians to communicate, particularly in jam situations. For example, the band leader might say things like:

"From the 5"

"This has a fast 4"

"Its a 1-4-5 with a 2-5-1 turnaround"

Watch for the sharp 5 at the turnaround"

 

[QweziRider]

Has anyone used the chart before?

All the time. Fastest way for me to learn large amounts of new material for a given gig.

 

[Two-Spirit]

I hate when they call it the "Nashville Number System," this has been around since the middle ages but Okay.

 

[BassAndReeds]

I do use NNS a lot. There are some concepts related to changing keys and fermatas that I believe are unique. And I believe it is a standard of musicians playing country (though I’m not the ruler of knowledge in the area).

Not sure if you’re looking for anything particular on the subject. Or just pointing out a concept. It is useful. I do believe it should be taught more than I see it taught. Myself being from the northeast, I had to learn it on my own, without any knowledge it existed until late in my music career.

 

[RustyAxe]

Has anyone used the chart before?

Every single gig. Once you understand scale intervals it becomes second nature. Been with a band for 10 years, and the BL still throws stuff at us we've never done before (we don't rehearse). The guys are all experienced so the BL only has to say "Country shuffle in A. One, six, two, five. Goes to the 4 on the bridge" ... and we're off! He could have called that same tune in Eb, and we'd have all been on it just the same. In fact, depending on who is singing what, we might do the same song in different keys on different nights.

I personally prefer chords over lyrics because NNS doesn't always fill in the details without using more arcane designators (few guys actually use and know these) ... I can transpose on the fly when I need to. But either works.

 

[mambo4]

this has been around since the middle ages but Okay.

I used to see it that way, too. Nashville Numbers share a lot with the older "Roman numeral" functional harmony, but as a system of notation NN has enough unique peculiarities to indicate harmonic rhythm and song structure that I now think it merits its own name. If you look into it ( especially the book mentioned) you'll find it goes a bit beyond simply swapping 1 4 5 with I IV V.

 

[Two-Spirit]

It's the same except you can use a triangle to represent a maj 7 interval in a chord, or a degree sign to represent a b5 in a chord. I think maybe theres a difference higher up but this basic theory is the same any musician learns.

 

[BassAndReeds]

I used to see it that way, too. Nashville Numbers share a lot with the older "Roman numeral" functional harmony, but as a system of notation NN has enough unique peculiarities to indicate harmonic rhythm and song structure that I now think it merits its own name. If you look into it ( especially the book mentioned) you'll find it goes a bit beyond simply swapping 1 4 5 with I IV V.

It's the same except you can use a triangle to represent a maj 7 interval in a chord, or a degree sign to represent a b5 in a chord.

Im with mambo on this. There are unique notations for holds and key changes and such that merit its own style and name.

The principles have been around for ages. And I think we all agree with that.

I can’t imagine NNS would be good for Jazz. Too many tonal changes and extended chord structures. But for pop/vocal/simple music (Top 40 cover bands), NNS is my go-to for “I need this ready tonight”.

 

[chadhargis]

Yep...the old Nashville Number System. It was developed by the the Jordanaires back in the 1950's.

It's all you'll find around these parts. I have around 4000 or so number charts.

Nashville number system - Wikipedia

 

[IamGroot]

Im with mambo on this. There are unique notations for holds and key changes and such that merit its own style and name.

The principles have been around for ages. And I think we all agree with that.

I can’t imagine NNS would be good for Jazz. Too many tonal changes and extended chord structures. But for pop/vocal/simple music (Top 40 cover bands), NNS is my go-to for “I need this ready tonight”.

Actually NNS works perfectly for jazz standards, but you have to remember where the key modulates in the song and when non standard chord flavors are used like #5's.

Some of us have to transpose instantly and learning NNS makes that possible. Girl From Ipanema in Bb anyone?