Nashville Numbering System
| Key |
1 (I) |
2 (ii) |
3 (iii) |
4 (IV) |
5 (V) |
6 (vi) |
7 (bVII) |
| A |
A |
Bm |
C#m |
D |
E |
F#m |
G |
| B |
B |
C#m |
D#m |
E |
F# |
G#m |
A# |
| C |
C |
Dm |
Em |
F |
G |
A |
Bb |
| D |
D |
Em |
F#m |
G |
A |
Bm |
C |
| E |
E |
F#m |
G#m |
A |
B |
C#m |
D |
| F |
F |
Gm |
Am |
Bb |
C |
Dm |
Eb |
| G |
G |
Am |
Bm |
C |
D |
Em |
F# |
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Explanation:
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The Nashville Numbering System was developed by Nashville studio musicians to create a shorthand for chords changes, regardless of the Key the music is played in.
The numbers represent the relationship between the Key root (1 / I) & the chord change key. This can be easily calculated using your fingers & counting up from the root key. (for example, in the key of C the notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Counting up from the root C, the 4th (IV) note is F and the 5th (V) note is G.)
The chords do not need to be written out individually, because even if someone sings a song in a key suitable to their vocal range, or uses an capo for chording ease, the numbers will always remain relevant to the Key in which the musician plays.
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Bluegrass music most often uses the I, IV & V Major chords,
with sometimes an added minor 2nd (ii) or bluesy flatted 7th (bVII).
| Key |
1 (I) |
4 (IV) |
5 (V) |
2 (ii) |
7 (bVII) |
| A |
A |
D |
E |
Bm |
G |
| B |
B |
E |
F# |
C#m |
A# |
| C |
C |
F |
G |
Dm |
Bb |
| D |
D |
G |
A |
Em |
C |
| E |
E |
A |
B |
F#m |
D |
| F |
F |
Bb |
C |
Gm |
Eb |
| G |
G |
C |
D |
Am |
F |
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