Writing a Nashville Numbers Chart: The Chords

This is the second post in my series on Nashville Numbers. Looking for the other posts?

Why Worship Leaders Should Use the Nashville Numbers System: Part One

Today, I wanted to explain the first step in writing these charts. As I discussed in the first article, these are generally charts that need to be written manually, since there isn’t a database for them. To break it down, I’m going to explain the writing in two parts. So, first, on to the chords!

Here’s the image I shared before as an example of a Numbers chart I created. I love visuals. 🙂

What does it all MEAN?!

Do you remember music theory? You know, the messy education on how scales are structured and how many flats and sharps and how to sound like Celine Dion… Okay, that last part probably doesn’t apply. But this chart is using music theory.

Nashville Numbers converts the chords in a song from letters to numbers. It’s all math! To write in numbers, you must be able to understand the “degrees” of the notes in the scale you are using. In the key of “A,” the “A” chord is represented by 1 – it is the root of the scale.

A few things to remember:

• In a major scale, the 1, 4, and 5 are major chords, and the 2, 3, and 6 are minor chords. However, in a song, chords may be used outside of the major scale, such as a 2 major, etc. If this is the case, notate as such.
• Traditional music theory discusses the 7 chord as diminished. In worship music, I’ve never seen a 7 diminished chord occur – but worship songs do often use 7 flat chords.
• You MUST know your major scales! You should know them if you play any instrument, but to write or play with Nashville Numbers, you have to know them or won’t be able to function.

So, the notes in an “A” scale, for example, are A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#. Assign numbers to each of those in order, and you have 1 through 7. And, based on what I’ve learned about 7 chords, it makes more sense to learn the chord of the 7b in the scale. If the 7 is “G#,” this makes the 7b “G natural.”

Confused yet? I know it can be daunting, but stick with it. Here’s what we have for the key of “A” so far:

A = 1
B = 2
C# = 3
D = 4
E = 5
F# = 6
G# = 7

Two final steps are left to note. First, you should always note any minor chords. A number by itself indicates it is a major chord, so you can add a symbol to note minors. I use a minus symbol ( – ), but some people like to type out “min.” You can also add any additional chord information, just like you would in any other chart – an A suspended becomes “1sus,” F# minor 7 is “6-7,” etc.

Last, you should still make sure to indicate the bass notes for chords, like you would on a regular chart. For a D chord with an F# in the base, a normal chart would read “D/F#.” A numbers chart (in the key of “A”) would read “4/6.”

Okay. Breathe. Now let’s try making sense of all of this.

Look at the chart for “Alleluia” above. Say we’re doing it in the key of “A.” Translating it, these are the chords for Verse 1:

A                             Asus                 F#m     E    D
Father, we have come to bow down   in   worship

Is it making sense? I hope so!

To make it easier, I’ve typed a chart out with the most commonly played keys for worship, and the chords that apply.

**Don’t forget – sometimes, music won’t follow these rules. I play several songs for Sunday mornings that include a “2 major” chord, or may use a “5 minor,” etc. That’s why you must notate minor chords on your chart!

Take another breath. You’re at the end of this post!

Does this make sense? Do you think it’s too much of a learning curve to use in your context? I want to know what you think!

If you really want to use this method but feel like you need to figure it out more, I’m available for video chat. Just drop me a note in the comments or in a Facebook message.

Cheers!