Nashville Number System

by Shawn Burrell

The Nashville Number system is simple to learn and is a must for any working bassist. 

The way it works:
Each note in a scale is given a number.  For example the root note of a major scale would be given the number one.  In the key of G, the one chord is G major.  The two chord is A minor 7, the three chord is B minor 7, the four chord is C major, the five chord is D major 3 or a dom 7, the six chord is a E minor 7, the seven chord is a F# minor 7 flat 5, the octave or root is major.

Example:

In Major Keys
I ii iii IV V vi vii VIII		chord- major chord- minor 7 chord- minor 7 chord- major chord- dom 7 chord- min chord- min 7 flat5 octave- major
In Minor Keys
i ii III iv V VI vii VIII		chord- minor 7 chord- minor 7/flat5 chord- major chord- minor 7 chord- minor 7 chord- major chord- dom 7 octave- minor 7

Why is the number system useful?
It is very useful, because the players can change keys without having to write new charts.  The singer will be able to try the song in different keys and the players wont have to write new charts if they are using the number system.

Send in your lessons to:
lessons@rockabillybass.com

 

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