NNS charts use unique rhythmic symbols as well, and variations in practice exist.Ī diamond shape around a number indicates that the chord should be held out or allowed to ring as a whole note. A superscript 2 means "add 2" or "add 9". Other chord qualities such as major sevenths, suspended chords, and dominant sevenths use familiar symbols: 4 Δ7 5 sus 5 7 1 would stand for F Δ7 G sus G 7 C in the key of C, or E ♭ Δ7 F sus F 7 B ♭ in the key of B ♭. Minor chords are noted with a dash after the number. In the key of B ♭, 1/3 stands for B ♭/D, 5/7 stands for F/A, 6/5 stands for G/F, and 4/5 stands for E ♭/F. Just as with simple chords, the numbers refer to scale degrees. In the key of C, C/E (C major first inversion, with E bass) is written as 1/3 G/B is written as 5/7 A/G (an inversion of A7) is written as 6/5 F/G (F major with G bass) is 4/5. Other chord typesĬhord inversions and chords with other altered bass notes are notated analogously to regular slash chord notation. ♭7 ("flat 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. NNSĪccidentals modifying a scale degree are usually written to the left of the number. Here is an example of how two four bar phrases can be formed to create a section of a song. Represents a four-bar phrase playing a C major chord, an F major chord, a C major chord, and a G major chord, for one measure each. Unless otherwise notated, all numbers represent major chords, and each chord should be played for one measure. The only knowledge required is to know the major scale for the given key. They are simply relative to the new root note. The numbers do not change when transposing the composition into another key. The key may be specified at the top of the chart, or given orally. 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. However the NNS instead uses numbers to represent each of the scale degrees. The Nashville Number System, (also referred to as NNS) is similar to (movable-do) Solfège, which uses "Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si" to represent the seven scale degrees of the Major scale. The system makes it easy for bandleaders to change the key of songs, since the new key just has to be stated before the song is recorded. The system is flexible, and can be embellished to include more information (such as chord color or to denote a bass note in an inverted chord).
Improvisation structures can be explained using numbers and chord changes can be communicated mid-song by holding up the corresponding number of fingers.
The Nashville Number System can be used by someone with only a rudimentary background in music theory. It resembles the Roman numeral and figured bass systems traditionally used to transcribe a chord progression since as early as the 1700s. in the late 1950s as a simplified system for The Jordanaires to use in the studio and further developed by Charlie McCoy. The Nashville Number System is a method of transcribing music by denoting the scale degree on which a chord is built.
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