

In the same way traditional notation uses: I, IV and V the Nashville system is written with numbers 1, 4 and 5. A chord based on A is a 1 chord, or on Gs would be a 7 chord. This major scale become chords 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. In the key of A, we have the Major scale A B Cs D E Fs Gs. In the Nashville system, numbers assigned to each step of the Major scale represent chords as well as single notes. This innovative number system has become the standard method of music notation in Nashville. Musicians used the number system to chart out an entire song on one piece of paper while hearing a demo of the tune for the first time. Charlie McCoy, a regular session player and artist, noticed Neal using numbers to map out songs for the Jordanaires and adapted the numbering system into rhythm section chord charts. In the early ’60s, none of the session musicians used charts. He began writing vocal charts, substituting numbers for the shape notes and developed his own system of writing music with numbers. Around 1957, Neal Matthews, a member of the Jordanaires (who sang many sessions in town and provided background vocals for Elvis), originated the idea of substituting regular numbers for notes. Nashville chord charts substitute numbers for the chord letter symbols found in traditional music notation. Nashville Number System The Nashville Number System is a quick and versatile method of notating music so that a song can be performed.
