What is The Nashville Number System and How To Learn It

What Is The Nashville Number System

---

​You most likely are currently familiar with the Nashville Number System or have actually at least heard of it if you are a skilled artist. For those individuals that are not acquainted with it, it is certainly a beneficial system to understand.

The Nashville Number System (likewise simply known as the number system) is a method of composing the chords to a tune in a "global" or basic key utilizing numbers as opposed to chord names. In this manner the tune could be performed in any key at any moment without the process of rewording it.
​

How Does This Number System Work

​We begin by getting the key the tune remains in and composing the scale. If you're in the key of D, we compose a D scale.

DEF ♯ GABC ♯ D.

We then designate numbers to every of these notes.

12345671DEF ♯ GABC ♯ D.

So every one of those numbers ends up being a chord.

1 is a D chord.
4 is a G chord.
♭ 7 is a C chord.
3m is an F ♯ small chord.
and so on

Those chords are next utilized in songs.

This is simply a really quick view of the how this system works. For a much better understanding you must have a look at The Nashville Number System Ebook.
​

Why is this beneficial?
The response is easy: due to the fact that everyone in the music market utilizes the Nashville Number System. A lot of Pros and excellent novices will generally presume you currently understand how to utilize it.

So why does everybody utilize it? The numbers can be used to any key when you compose out a tune in numerical symbols such as this. This sample can now be equated to C quickly:.

1 = C.
♭ 7 = B ♭.
4 = F.
1 = C.
2 = D.
5 = G.
1 = C.
1 = C.

What if you're in the lead and the studio vocalist states "It's a little too low, let's head to D." Simple. Utilize the method:.

D C G D E A D D.

" Still too low. E ♭?" Not an issue.

E ♭ D ♭ A ♭ E ♭ F B ♭ E ♭ E ♭.

"1 4 5 in D? Easy, that's D G & A.".

"So you 'd determine the range from A to E ♭, which is 6 half actions. Then your next chord is G, so 6 half actions from G is ... oh yeah D ♭. Now, 6 half actions from D is ... A ♭.

Or you might simply begin on E ♭ and utilize the exact same numbers you currently had. See why we utilize it now?

Simply trust me if this still appears a little tough at initially your first time trying it. It is a so many more times much easier than the other method when you learn your numbers and scales. Which is why everybody utilizes the Nashville Number System.