Nashville Number System for Guitar

[@curiousguitarist]

The Nashville Number System is actually not from Nashville! It's an adaptation from a much older system that used Roman Numerals. Do you already use this? After watching this video do you understand it better now? One thing that helps pave the way is knowing how to Harmonize a scale. Here's a great video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHSm3eJrMRpq8U

[@WtfYoutube_YouSuck]

I prefer figured bass when I improvise bebop licks on the Mass.

[@richcibelli1445]

Well done Chris, you explaned the system better than anyone else I've heard try to do it!

[@curiousguitarist]

@@richcibelli1445 glad you enjoyed this one, rich.

[@brendanlatimer1396]

Thanks!

[@curiousguitarist]

Wow! Thank you!

[@joneh6819]

thank you! this is one of those things that is assumed that everyone knows for some reason but is NEVER explained. Until now.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@joneh6819 so glad it was helpful!

[@alliewalter841]

Had to quick learn about this to play with a haphazard band for a worship night soon, and this was so helpful! thank you so much from a rookie ready to have some fun!

[@curiousguitarist]

Glad it was helpful, Allie. Thanks for sharing that.

[@tone-glide2402]

Nothing beats having great information right at your finger tips to apply immediately!!... Learn this form of communication and your jamming with every band you go see at a Bar. .., Always on the mark Chris!!!

[@aempire7284]

I finally got to understand this after watching so many videos thanks so much

[@curiousguitarist]

@@aempire7284 glad to hear it! Thanks for the views and comments!

[@Dram1984]

Thanks for this. I always wondered how it was different from the Roman numeral system and nobody ever really explained that’s it’s not.

[@ianreynolds494]

Really helpful, I have to say the lower case roman numerals are really intuitive to my eye. I see iv and it just reads as minor vs IV. The Naples number system!

[@curiousguitarist]

Me too, I've always felt that came across better.

[@thisistimwoods]

Best explanation I've seen on this 👌🏻

[@sdfswords]

Wonderful, simple explanation. I learned it on the fly years ago, but every guitarist needs to know how to change keys and transpose instantly. This will also give you confident landing zones for your leads, that should be built around chord changes. If you master nothing more than this concept, you're on your way!

[@curiousguitarist]

Truth! Thanks for the comment!

[@andrewhernandez1394]

Honestly I’ve watched a few videos on this but because you talked about the singer wanting to change key it all clicked for me 😂 Thanks for the amazing video brother 🤙🏽

[@curiousguitarist]

Of course, Andrew!! Glad this landed well for you! Rock on~

[@themacocko6311]

Hey Chris, who is your favorite guitarist and favorite non-guitarist musician? Can't get enough of your work. Keep it up.

[@curiousguitarist]

Well my favorite guitarist would be Greg Howe. Non guitarist? Carlos Del Junco :) Thanks!!

[@themacocko6311]

@@curiousguitarist Hmmm, you got me. I don't know either. Looks like I got homework to do.

[@curiousguitarist]

Brace yourself :)

[@themacocko6311]

@@curiousguitarist Greg Howe... I'm pretty sure I got tendonitis just watching that guy lol. Eddie Van Halen stuff.

[@francocerasuolo1200]

Thanks, Chris. Another awesome lesson with great context. You're awesome.

[@themacocko6311]

I got to comment again. This is just top level material. I am just amazed with every video.

[@curiousguitarist]

Wow, thanks The Macocko! I really appreciate that.

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Makes perfect sense, really. Funny thing is that "Louie, Louie" was the first song I learned on guitar... in the key of G 😉 Thanks for the lesson, Chris!

[@jonahguitarguy]

I need to implement this system. The band has gone through some member changes and vocal ranges. We're changing keys on the fly a lot these days. Been talking about it for years. Time to go for it. Thanks much.

[@curiousguitarist]

PERFECT TIMING!!

[@moetones2024]

Glad to be in the trenches with you Chris.

[@curiousguitarist]

Happy to have you in 'em along side me as well Moe!

[@dburton7929]

Good stuff, as always. Thanks Chris.

[@sandroisca3688]

I saw many video about NNS, but your teaching is epic. Every time one great lesson! Thanks!

[@Dave-gf3kd]

EXCELLENT !!! as usual. The historical context and ways to denote variations are new to me! Thanks!

[@curiousguitarist]

You are welcome, of course. Glad you enjoyed it, Dave!

[@southam07]

Perfectly explained. Thanks 👍

[@timsellsted521]

Another great video Chris!

[@lawrencedeans1433]

Thanks Chris picked up some new info yet again 👍

[@HilarieBurhans]

Great video, Chris!

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks, Hilarie!

[@waynegram8907]

CHRIS SHERLAND, can you do a lesson on Nashville and country using Diminished chords?

[@nickbruno2072]

Chris, This is an excellent video, well done. Your explanations at the beginning are clear. Unfortunately around the 7:00 point you began teaching that the 2, 3, and 6 chords are always minor and the 7 chord is diminished. This is a widespread misconception about the NNS. All the chords in the NNS are Major, always, unless they are specifically designated as minor as in 2- or 2m. The 2, 3, and 6 chords are NEVER automatically minor in the NNS. A number by itself will ALWAYS be played as a basic Major chord regardless of it's function or quality. I'm not sure how or when this faulty teaching about the NNS started, but it is not accurate. I can tell you are a very good musician and I'm only trying to help. You would do well to research this further. Best to you!

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks so much for this Nick, I really do appreciate it. When I do a follow up on this I'll also add in this context. Thank you again!

[@nickbruno2072]

@@curiousguitarist Chris, You are welcome! Carry on with your good work.

[@EclecticEssentric]

I knew it would be a worthy watch, despite knowing this stuff. I'd personally ditch the minor 5 idea and see Louie Louie as 5121, keeping it in a sane key and rocking some Mixolydian over it. Waddaya think? Have fun, Chris, and thanks for all your time!

[@curiousguitarist]

Yes it is a Mixolydian anthem to be sure, and that analysis is the diatonic solution, but the tonal center does not 'feel" like the second chord to me. So in the example, especially playing with a musician who is new to you, would you say "Louie Louie in A" or "Louie Louie in D" ? Seems like the second one would require a more detailed explanation as well as some discussion on diatonic theory. Time better spent playing music me'thinks....?

[@EclecticEssentric]

@@curiousguitarist Interesting thought food. I would definitely think of it quicker as D key than A, despite starting on A. I would feel weird if someone called this A key with minor 5th chord (hinted at by my first post). But I understand and accept that folk view these things differently and would gladly waste time talking music theory with them before playing. :)

[@kdavis63]

Many Mahalos!!!! Always most excellent!

[@curiousguitarist]

Mahalo, Kevin!

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

Ok with all due respect, I need more demonstration of the diminished 7th chord. I saw someone else demonstrating the chords of the Major Scale and he used the shaped 5 as opposed to the “A” shaped chord you use. (Admittedly, the “A” shape is much easier (and I like it better) but it seems that the “C”’shaped chord makes it easier to find the 6th minor chord. But back to my original question about fingering the diminished chord. That’s a tough shape to get under my fingers quickly. Thanks Chris, Walt

[@curiousguitarist]

Yeah the diminished shape is quite unusual. If you are familiar with triads (which you should be if you ‘ain’t!), then you can take ANY major triad shape and move the 3rd and 5th down a half step (1 fret) and you’ll end up with the diminished voicing for that chord! Hope that helps, Walt!

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

@@curiousguitarist Hey Chris, thanks for your prompt response. I’m not familiar with “Triads” as much but, after watching that video last night I started fooling around with “E”-shaped chords and removing the first finger which is the bar (creating a triad right?), so, I’ll now trying moving my fingers back a fret on the non root notes (1) and see what happens. I could’ve sworn you were using 4 fingers on the diminished chords no? Walt

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

OK! So I just happened to be sitting on my couch resting after an emotional two-days of traveling due to a death in my wife’s family. I start thinking about guitar playing just to get my mind off the traumatic event. I start thinking about what you said about “Triads” and it hits me that triads and the “CAGED” system must be tied inexorably together! In each of the five shapes of “CAGED” is a triad! So look for the triad within the “C” shape, then the “A” etc. And you should be able to find the inversions (Triads) as you travel up and down the neck right? Then you should be able to find the triads for each chord in a certain location on the neck! Ie, The “A” shaped “C” chord and the “C” shaped “G” chord are right next to each other aren’t they? (This is all in my mind’s eye because all my guitars are downstairs and I’m upstairs just thinking) I’ve gotta go to bed but can’t wait until tomorrow to start putting this to work!

[@curiousguitarist]

@@PR-BEACHBOY welcome aboard Walt, this is a great day.

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

@@curiousguitarist Thanks to your skill as a teacher I’m not as dense as I thought. I’m a left-handed dyslexic playing right handed. It’s always been a struggle; Particularly with technique. Modes have become quite a goal for me too. I developed a Nemonic device for remembering their name and order but don’t really understand how to play them yet. Nemonic device; “I Do Prefer Lydia Mix Ales locally”. But I’d like to know at least the basics of playing modes. Thanks again Chris!

[@justenfinch5911]

A teacher of mine once said there was also a system where the conductor would signal the key by using only his/her fingers. Anything pointing up is sharp, anything pointing down is flat. So, 3 fingers up...A Major...2 fingers down, Bb. Not sure how it worked with minor keys. Might have brought in another hand for that one.

[@curiousguitarist]

Then there are the foot signals....highly irregular! When I attended music conservatory a few of the profs there used that same technique. :)

[@riffcodger]

Nice one Chris👏👏👍

[@joycegrove5602]

12:12 that's me when I first started working through my guitar lessons, hahaha!! ;) Yep, a sensible system, thanks for posting this, Chris!! ps the link for harmonising the scale is not seen on your video clip, perhaps add it below to your comments section? Cheers!

[@curiousguitarist]

Haha, yeah I've been there many times myself Joyce! I fixed the link for the harmonizing video, thanks so much for pointing that out!

[@chapter-saulo]

As you showed us, context and relationships are super important. But what exactly creates tension and release in music? or what explains the function of a chord? Is there an easy way to explain? You are a fantastic teacher.

[@LeeFKoch]

Hey, Chris, thanks for explaining the Nashville Number System/NNS. It was on several checklists for intermediate guitar players, listed as "need-to-know", so I wanted to learn about it. I live in Germany, and I never really encountered the NNS before. Maybe it's used by session musicians here in Europe, but I really wouldn't know. I have been using the Roman numeral system for most of my life, and I find it really easy to use. Though, if I ever get a chance to jam while over in the States, it'd be good to know the NNS. How does the NNS work for minor keys? Would you use the number 6 or 1- for the tonic? Or do the musicians just use 1 through 7 and know that if the song is in a minor key, the chords will have a different quality?

[@curiousguitarist]

@@LeeFKoch minor keys really are just major keys using the vi as the tonic. So really the whole thing just shifts over. I’ve also seen folks use it all as relative, so looking at the tonic as a minor chord, like i or Im. Hope that helps!

[@LeeFKoch]

@@curiousguitarist Thanks for taking the time to answer, Chris.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@LeeFKoch of course!

[@larrybegnaud7811]

Very nice. Thank you. 🌞

[@curiousguitarist]

Thank you too, Larry.

[@drrobert2120]

Thank you..Great info!!🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@curiousguitarist]

You bet Dr. Robert!

[@mustygreenbeanie_bass_]

How do you read a chart where if you're in the key of G but the V chord is called the 1? Is the chart written wrong, or do you have to read it like that anyway?

[@curiousguitarist]

Might be a key change there, like a borrowed or pivot chord or something. Is the key showing 1 sharp?

[@mustygreenbeanie_bass_]

@curiousguitarist No. It was written E on the top left corner. The chart contained a lot of b7s, b6s, b4s, b3's, b2s. [ I ] 1 b7 b3 4 [ V ] 1 b7 b3 4 [PrC] b6 b7 [ C ] b3 4 b6 b7 Etc

[@mustygreenbeanie_bass_]

@curiousguitarist The chart was written in E....but I think it's G....

[@curiousguitarist]

@@mustygreenbeanie_bass_ I’d have to see the chart to really help.

[@mustygreenbeanie_bass_]

@@curiousguitarist I'd love to send it to you if you want it. lmk

[@lawboss]

Great Lesson. The Nashville system (for me at least) becomes complicated when the first chord isn't the tonic. Take a D, C, G progression (Sweet Home Alabama). Is it 1, b7, 4 or 5 4 1? (does it matter?) Also, the 2 isn't always minor if we always use 1 as the first chord in the progression, how do we denote a 2 major? (Two Ticket to Paradise) G to A verse, with D, G, A chorus. Is it 1, 2 major (5, 1, 2 major chorus) or b7 to 1 (4, b7, 1 chorus) or is it 4, 5 (I, 4, 5 chorus)? Mixolydian is a common 'major' progression. Is there a standard Nashville notation for Mixolydian?

[@curiousguitarist]

A lot of this is up for interpretation and I’ve seen it vary widely out in the wild. But for the most part the system works best when tied to the tonic center as 1 (the Louie Louie example is Mixolydian). I think what you also have to put into the mix is how quickly will the chart be able to be read? You don’t want to spark a music theory lecture, what you really want is to get the band playing right away. So sometimes the simple solution might not be the most scholastically correct one.

[@lawboss]

@@curiousguitarist I look forward to your lesson on the Nashville number system for minor keys. In a band environment, I've always simply written out the chord changes (ex. Am, Dm7, F7, E7 etc) and let each musician convert that to whatever number system they prefer. I assume if one can read a Nashville number system chart, they can also write one in the style they prefer should we need to change keys and suspect that each musician has his/her 'own' method.

[@steves.361]

OK, I get all this but what about the bridge and chorus?

[@curiousguitarist]

Use the same system for all the song sections.

[@dozzler49]

great job!

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks!

[@brandyhouston2105]

Was the video good because of Jimi jam man poster or because, your a good teacher??❤..thanks for making the video.😎

[@curiousguitarist]

Yes and yes, and your welcome!

[@SidBonkers51]

OMG_______________Lightbulb moment!!!!!!!!!!!! Ive been playing for years and kind of knew this stuff but only for the blues like l lV V now I realise that a l iv V say in C maj with the min F tells me why the B at the 4th fret on the G string sounds good added to an A pentatonic scale!!!!!! Am I right? If I am I cant thank you enough. ps. hope this makes sense. pps. so glad a subscribed.

[@curiousguitarist]

Yup, in that progression the B is the major 3rd of the G chord :)

[@guitarrox]

im not sure why but i have always got a bit confused with the number system

[@curiousguitarist]

Yeah it's not immediately intuitive. You really need to know the chords built within major key to make this work. If you don't know them... "one" I = Major "two" ii = minor "three" iii = minor "four" IV = Major "five" V = Major "six" vi = minor "seven" vii = diminished You may already know "one four five" as all major chords. Now just add "two three and six" as minor, and then the diminished on "seven"...which is rarely used anyway :) Hope that helps!

[@markgoodwin5306]

I think Roman numerals are easier to read when it comes to music, but they get to be a pain in the ass when you’re writing them out haha. How did the Egyptians not lose their minds using their hieroglyphic system?

[@curiousguitarist]

Right? "...now when we get to the bridge it goes 'sand beetle to falcon, then cow, THEN snake"

[@markgoodwin5306]

@@curiousguitarist Hahahaha, I didn’t expect that response, that made me laugh.

[@CH-in9kj]

I mean I see the value and loved your lesson, but if a singer came in to a jam and wanted me to rearrange a song that fast I'd probably just tell em to suck it lol then again I'm a metal guy so my lines have to be very specific most of the time

[@curiousguitarist]

Of course! Metal is like the "engineering" class of rock. I was in a metal band years ago and we'd spend days on lines, accents and accuracy. Thanks for the comment C H!

[@CH-in9kj]

@@curiousguitarist I have students that are country people and they were asking me how to read this stuff, I figured it was probably derivative of the roman numerals so thanks for helping me understand that! I’m sure my students will be thrilled, I’ll direct them to this video👍

[@tezman58]

is that a MARPAT guitar or are my eyes fooling me? 5:24 also I love these lessons, it made me realize I was trying to learn guitar ALL WRONG

[@curiousguitarist]

Glad you’re here Mdog! That guitar in the background is an “Othon” made in California. The top is actually stone!

[@arielsason1338]

I didnt understand...... if the 5 is allways Major, how in this song it becomes Minor?

[@curiousguitarist]

Well in actuality it’s in a different key, it’s really V I ii. However it’s not very easy to convey that to a group of musicians with various levels on theory understanding, so it’s easier to say it has a minor five. Finally, all the formulas and mechanisms of music theory are only ways to convey structures, they are not un-breakable rules. When I say the five is always major it means it’s major until you need it to be something else :)

[@priceamp]

Jeez Chris, how many other songs have I been playing wrong since 1964? :-)

[@curiousguitarist]

Yeah that minor 5 is sort of critical for the whole thing to sound right isn’t it?

[@priceamp]

@@curiousguitarist Yes I totally agree.

[@GeeDeeBird]

Brilliant, as usual Chris. Concise, completed and comprehensible. Thanks! Btw ... You forgot to put in the bookmark to the video on harmonizing scales... on screen or on the description. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHSm3eJrMRpq8U

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks for the call out GeeDeeBird!

[@brunovincent1969]

Sadly AI will get rid of all of this...do you think any of the manual music playing with this systerm remain?

[@curiousguitarist]

Hope so.

[@RayJayJrUke]

M, m, m, M, M m, dim. (I ii iii IV V vi vii) Got it. In a minor key is it m, dim, M, m, m, M, M? (i ii III iv v VI VII) Is it right to indicate the diminished chord as a minor or is there another notation? If I think of a simple 3 chord song in a minor key I come up with i iv V. What's the deal with minor keys?

[@curiousguitarist]

Diminished is usually denoted with a circle like this: “o” If the minor key is relative (built off of the 6th degree of the major scale) you simply convert all the chords to the minor key where vi = I Harmonic minor is different though…

[@wimvandijk6275]

Excerpt from the very recommended book on this topic, “The Nashville Number System” by Chas Williams: “Most of the time, for a song in a minor key, charts are written as if in the relative major key. Even if A minor sounds like the actual tonic, or 1 minor chord, the chart is written as if in the key of C major. In which case the A minor chord is written as the 6 minor. The majority of popular songs that sound as if in a minor key, often resolve to the relative major anyway.”

[@curiousguitarist]

@@wimvandijk6275 great context thanks!!

[@HigherPlanes]

I'm trying really hard to see a difference between basically what are intervals and the Nashville number system. Personally I think whoever coined the term NNS was being a bit gratuitous.

[@curiousguitarist]

Maybe, but it does make charting and communicating so much easier.

[@HigherPlanes]

@@curiousguitarist Oh I know, don't get me wrong...I use it myself even when I'm playing solo...I always refer to intervals. No one invented them they make up the framework of music but I guess Nashville came along and took credit.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@HigherPlanes so true! When I was in music school this was simply the language we used…go figure! Hahhaa

[@HigherPlanes]

@@curiousguitarist Alright man. Ranting aside, your lessons are top notch. Glad I discovered your channel.

[@splashesin8]

:)

[@WhiteDove73-888]

If you need that ok. I don’t

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks so much for giving the video a watch! I appreciate it.

[@lukewortley]

You want a sticker…?

[@curiousguitarist]

@@lukewortley nope, just saying thanks!

[@lukewortley]

@@curiousguitarist no worries buddy I was responding to @WhiteDove73-888