In traditional music theory as taught in university music classes Roman numerals that are used in traditional classical music that are used to indicate the scale degree on which a chord is built. Upper case Roman numerals indicate major chords (I, IV, and V), and lower case indicate minor chords (ii, iii, vi). The vii chord is diminshed.
The G major scale has the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, and G. Building three note triad chords above each scale degree gives you this series of diatonic chords, chords that are built on the notes of the scale and use the same accidentals, in this case F#:
The Nashville Number (NNS) system was developed in 1957 by Neil Matthews Jr. for the the group The Jordaires. It is like the chord symbols are written with Arabic numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Writing chord charts out for session and stage players as numbers instead of chord symbols makes it easy to transpose on the spot to suit the vocal range of whatever key a singer wants to perform the song in.
Other benefits:
Accidentals are usually written to the left of a number. A Bb chord in the key of C would be written as b7.
In chord symbols an inversion is indicated with a slash. C/E means that the chording instruments would play a C major chord, while the bass player plays an E. In the NNS if this happened in the key of C (where C is the I chord), this would be written as 1/3.
In addition, the NNS has a system of rhythmic symbols. Many variations exist between musicians. A diamond shape drawn around a number usually means that the chord is held out, like a whole note. The marcato symbol ^ above a note or a staccato dot underneath means the chord should be cut off quickly.
A sequence of several chords that are underlined indicates that there are a series of chords played in a single meausre. If there is more than one chord in a measure and the chords do not each get the same number of beats then hash marks or dots can be used to show on which beat the chord changes. For example, three dots over a chord number means that the chord is played for three beats.
Here are two examples from Chas Williams, The Nashville Number System
Example 1: "Canterbury"
listen
Example 2: Ring Of Fire
listen
You should learn the NNS if you think you may move to Nashville or work with studio musicians from there.
back to Index
