Nashville Number System Examples

Hear what a chord progression sounds like in various keys and explore Nashville Number System charts with this widget. Simply use your computer keyboard or click with your mouse to play it. The idea behind it is that the numbers remain unchanged regardless of the actual chord names, demonstrating how musicians does not rely on key signatures to pass music between each other.

Beginning with the four tabs across the top, select the one you want to practice. Tap (or type) on numbers 1-4 on your keyboard, and each of those will load an example: a doo-wop turnaround, a pop loop, etc. Below is chart for that progression. Each measure has both the translated chord name and the Nashville number. If you tap any of the measures, you’ll be able to hear the chord. The highlighted measure indicates which one you’re listening to.

How to Use the Music Widget

Key Control lets you change the tonal center of the chart. Pressing the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons (side panel) will increase or decrease a semitone at a time. On your keyboard, use the square bracket keys to raise or lower the key. Right Bracket, Raise Left Bracket; Lower As you can see, the chord names automatically update too. The numbers don’t alter.

This shows what the Nashville system does best. It allows you to perform the same chart in whatever key you like. No need to write out new numbers.

To the right of the key selector are volume and tempo controls. Use the tempo slider to slow down, speed up, or play back at the same pace as you like. By default it’s set to 120 beats per minute. That will allow you to work through progressions at a pace that feels good. The volume slider controls the overall volume of the audio. If it’s too loud for where you are, adjust it accordingly. As you drag either of these sliders they update in real time. If you’ve begun to count, then feel free to adjust the slider while listening to the music.

To listen to the entire progression in the correct order, simply press the Count off this chart button below, and the widget will play through each measure at the pace you selected. As each measure plays, it lights up to help you visually track the movement. Simply press the button again to stop the count whenever you wish. Alternatively, if you prefer to keep your hands free for the ear training part, then you can begin and stop the count using the C key on your keyboard.

Experimenting with other keys can be fun too, finding something more suited to your instrument /voice. Some progressions also vary with their key. For example, you may discover that a particular minor chord sounds darker in certain keys different than others. The transpose control allows you to experiment until it feels right for you. It’s as if someone was calling out a new key for a singer (the band leader). As they do so the numbers stays consistent. This is why this system works well for both studio and live performance.

The help panel is there as a quick reference, too. If you click on the How to play button, you’ll get a list of keyboard shortcuts and conventions. That’ll explain the symbols and how it works with slash chords. It will also give you a list of the navigation keyboard mappings. Once you’re used to the controls, just hide the panel. There’s a fullscreen button that will expand the widget to fill your screen. You will have more space to view the controls and charts.

Listen to the progression as written, in whatever key. Now move it up or down a couple of times. See that the relative relationship between chords remains the same. Looking at the visual layout also reveals the function of each chord within the measure. It allows you to see what’s going on behind the music. If you want to focus on particular changes, then you can click on them out of order.

Experimenting with this widget won’t get you into any trouble. It’s meant to be learned from and explored. To begin, click on a measure and listen to what is played. Next, change the key and watch the chords change. With the count feature on, you can listen to the complete progression. If you’d like to study the changes at a slower pace, adjust the tempo. Using the keyboard shortcuts, you don’t have to use your mouse at all. Quickly jump from one key/progression to another.

The site will train your ear to identify the chord’s role. It reinforces that numbers work the same way in each key. These examples include some of the most common patterns that occur in a broad range of musical styles. They include everything from Gospel turnarounds to Pop anthems. You’ll notice that similar numerical patterns produce contrasting emotions. Often, the added colour/tension comes from the use of a minor sixth chord. More commonly the pull-back to the tonic is with the dominant fifth chord. This is all part of the construction of the Major Scale. The widget shows this very plainly both audibly and visually. Simply look at the legend if you wish to refresh your memory on what each symbol represents.

The status line at the bottom of the chart lets you know what chord is being played and which bar it’s happening in. That way, if you’re counting along, it helps you keep track of where you are. It will also tell you that you’ve changed keys properly.

If you change from one example to another, the widget refreshes so you’ll begin anew with the next progression. The tabs will allow you to return to any of the examples at any time. There are no restrictions on repeat playbacks.

For an even richer learning experience, try using the keyboard. With the arrow keys, you can step through measures one by one. Pressing the ‘Enter’ key plays the current measure that is highlighted. This provides a degree of control over each listen and lets you loop back over tricky transitions. Try moving from the subdominant to the dominant chord, for example. Then hear how this resolves back to the tonic. Listening in this way really sharpens your grasp of harmony. And you will learn progression more easiler.

There are no bells and whistles or distractions that take attention from the music itself. It includes only the sound, some controls and the chart. It’s simple so all your focus can go into the numbers. You get a sense of what the pros are thinking when they play harmonies. How do they look at each chord? What does it add to the context? What functions within the song?

The Nashville system takes out the details. That helps people exchange ideas in a studio or jam session more easily. Explore as you like. There’s no right, or wrong way to use this widget. Simply click around in the examples. Sit with one progression and work on that for a while. Sing the chord tones if you like. Imagine how it would sound played on your instrument.

The widget is a sandbox for exploring harmony. It is a tool that gives you the power of transposition at your fingertips. You can hear what works immediately. That instant feedback is invaluable when learning.

And while you’re at it, let’s take a minute to marvel at the flexibility of the system. There are 12 different keys from one set of numbers, and each has its own range and color. Check out that magic below in the widget. It doesn’t require a music theorist to enjoy it. All it requires is interaction and listening. It’s a responsive, intuitive system with an easy-to-use interface and crystal clear clean sound. Everything is designed to support learning.

So type away. Click around. Let the numbers guide your ear. The music waits for you to find it.