Nashville Number System Lesson

For starters, the simplest, most helpful chord progression to study could be 1, 4, 5. The first, fourth, and fifth chords in a major key are the foundations of blues, country, and rock and roll. Many pop chord progressions are also centered around these three chords.

In a major key, all three of these chords will be major. In the Nashville Number System, all numbers are assumed major unless notated otherwise.

In the key of C Major, made up of of the notes C (1), D (2), E (3), F (4), G (5), A (6), and B (7), the 1, 4, 5 chord progression consists of C Major, F Major, and G Major.

In the key of G Major, made up of the notes G (1), A (2), B (3), C (4), D (5), E (6), and F# (7), the 1, 4, 5 chord progression consists of G Major, C Major, and D Major.