COURSE: Mastering the Nashville Number System

Course Description: Stop thinking in specific chord names and start seeing the function of harmony. This course breaks down the Nashville Number System (NNS), the secret weapon used by professional session musicians, worship leaders, and producers to learn songs instantly and transpose on the fly without ever rewriting a chart.

Prerequisites:

• Basic knowledge of major scales.

• Ability to play basic major and minor chords on your instrument.

• Access to the companion YouTube video.

Course Materials:

• All charts and examples referenced in this course are available for FREE inside our Skool community: www.skool.com/shawnlane

MODULE 1: The Foundation & The "Why"

Learning Objective: Understand the core purpose of the Nashville Number System and why it is superior to standard chord charts for real-time performance.

Lesson 1.1: What is the NNS?

The Nashville Number System is a musical shorthand. Instead of writing the name of the chord (like C, G, or Am), we write the chord’s function using numbers based on the major scale degree it is built upon.

It was originally developed in the late 50s by Neal Matthews (of Elvis Presley's backup singers, The Jordanaires) for vocals, and later adapted for instruments by legendary session player Charlie McCoy.

Lesson 1.2: The Core Principle (The Golden Rule)

The primary advantage of NNS is instant transposition.

If a singer asks to change the key five seconds before the song starts, a standard chord chart becomes useless. But with an NNS chart, you don't have to rewrite anything. You simply shift your starting point on your instrument, and the numbers relative to each other stay exactly the same.

The Golden Rule of NNS:

"The root key changes, but the chart never does."

MODULE 2: The Alphabet of NNS (Notes & Qualities)

Learning Objective: Learn how to translate a major scale into numbered chords and identify major, minor, and diminished qualities using NNS shorthand.

Lesson 2.1: The Major Scale Foundation

We assign numbers to the seven notes of the Major Scale: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

• If the Key is C: 1=C, 2=D, 3=E, etc.

• If the Key is G: 1=G, 2=A, 3=B, etc.

Lesson 2.2: Major vs. Minor Chords

In a standard major key, chords follow a predictable pattern of major and minor qualities. NNS makes this visually simple:

• Major Chords (1, 4, 5): Represented by just the number.

  • Example: 1 4 5

• Minor Chords (2, 3, 6): Represented by the number followed by a dash (-).

  • Example: 2- 3- 6-

Lesson 2.3: The "7" Chord

The 7th scale degree naturally forms a diminished chord.

• The Modern Pop/Worship Adaptation: In most modern genres (pop, rock, worship), a raw diminished triad sounds too abrasive. Therefore, the "7" spot is almost always played as a 5/7 (a 5 chord with the 7th note in the bass).

• Note: If a true diminished chord is required, it will usually be marked explicitly (e.g., 7°).

MODULE 3: Reading Rhythm & Notation Secrets

Learning Objective: Master the visual language of NNS to understand timing, inversions, syncopation, and song structure.

Lesson 3.1: Timing Defaults

Unless told otherwise, always assume:

1. The song is in 4/4 time.

2. A number standing alone represents one whole bar (4 beats).

Lesson 3.2: Split Bars (Underlines)

When more than one chord occupies a single measure, NNS uses underlines to show how the time is divided.

• Single Underline (Equal Split): Two chords sharing one underline generally split the bar equally.

  • Example: <u>1 4</u> in 4/4 time means the '1' gets 2 beats, and the '4' gets 2 beats.

• Double Underlines (Unequal Split): A double underline signifies a shorter duration, usually one beat, often indicating syncopation. This requires careful listening to the song's rhythm.

Lesson 3.3: Inversions (Slash Chords)

Just like standard notation, NNS uses slash chords to specify a bass note that is different from the chord root.

• Format: Chord Number / Bass Note (Scale Degree)

• Common Example: 5/7

  • In the Key of C, this means playing a G major chord (the 5) with a B note (the 7) in the bass.

Lesson 3.4: The "Push" (Syncopation)

Modern music rarely lands squarely on every downbeat. NNS uses a specific symbol for anticipations, called "pushes."

• The Symbol: An accent mark or "less than" sign (<) placed above or before the number.

• Meaning: Play the chord an 8th note early, on the "and" before the beat.

  • Push to 3: A < over the second chord in a split bar usually means hitting it on the "and" of beat 2.

  • Push to 1: A < on the first number of a bar anticipates the downbeat of the next measure (hitting on the "and" of 4 from the previous bar).

Lesson 3.5: Structure and "Jazzy" Chords

NNS charts are designed to fit on one page.

• Structure: Use standard repeat signs (||: :||) and 1st/2nd endings to condense long sections.

• Complex Harmony: For genres outside of simple country or pop, we use standard jazz symbols next to the numbers:

  • Major 7: Δ (e.g., 1Δ)

  • Augmented: + (e.g., 5+)

  • Half-Diminished: Ø (e.g., 7Ø)

  • Suspended: sus (e.g., 5sus)

  • Accidentals: Flats (b) or sharps (#) placed before the number alter the root (e.g., b7 chord).

MODULE 4: The Practice Lab (Exercises)

Learning Objective: Apply the theory to your instrument. Watch the video segment corresponding to these exercises to play along.

Tip: Try these in the keys of C, G, D, A, and E.

Exercise 1: Basic Progressions

Get comfortable with the major/minor distinction. Chart: | 1 | 4 | 6- | 5 |

Exercise 2: Slash Chords

Internalize the sound of the popular "walk down" using the 5/7 inversion. Chart: | 1 | 5/7 | 6- | 4 5 |

Exercise 3: Split Bars & Rhythm Accuracy

Focus on the timing of the split measures (underlined sections). Chart: | 1 | 4 | 6- | 5 | <u>1 4</u> | 5 |

Exercise 4: Advanced Challenge

Incorporate accidentals, complex chords, and split bars. Chart: ||: 1 | 1 | b7 | b7 :|| | 4 | 4 | 1 | <u>2- 5sus</u> |

COURSE WRAP-UP

You now possess the "secret weapon" used by pros in Nashville and beyond—from country to EDM to worship music. The NNS prevents on-stage panic when keys change and allows you to communicate with other musicians instantly, regardless of the instrument they play.

Next Steps:

1. Download the charts for this course at www.skool.com/shawnlane.

2. Practice transposing the exercises above into uncomfortable keys (like Db or F#).

3. Visit www.bestguitarchannel.com to check out our upcoming app, Interval Matrix Pro®, designed to help you master the fretboard.