| Home recording and general music post from the archived Yabb Recording Website Message Board. Some of the info here may be outdated but many of the audio recording and home studio tips are still good. Note: The only tags I made and attempt to convert are italics, bold, center and underline. So if you see some gibberish surrounded by brackets, just ignore it.
Recording Website Archived Yabb board Post
Febuary 2001 Yabb Message Board Archive
Subject: Nashville Number System..Anyone using this...
by Ally | 04/13/01 at 08:01:40
The Nashville Number System-Is anyone here using this? Did it improve your skills?
I am in the process of learning it now, though I should have learned it long ago. It seems to be a good system. It wasn't until last year that I was able to pick up a book on it.
Subject: Re: Nashville Number System..Anyone using this...
by Haywire | 04/14/01 at 04:15:25
Hi Ally,
The Nashville number system is a common "language" spoken in the studios among session musicians, and not just in Twangtown. It would be fine for a band, I suppose...as long as everyone was using it.I'm sure some bands use it. I checked it out a couple years back, but saw no use for it myself. I suppose if I were on the "A" list in town, I'd be learning it mighty quick tho;) What advantages does it offer for you?
Subject: Re: Nashville Number System..Anyone using this...
by Ally | 04/14/01 at 08:13:14
Well...so far, I can see the advantages in using the number system simply for the space used. Instead of writing down the entire score...you are reading numbers...One number for four beats of music in a 4/4 time song. If you have a particularly long song to learn...this is a way to write it all down on one piece of paper without having to turn pages in the middle of the recording session.
The other big advantage I see in the number system is the transposing part of it. Instead of re-writing the score in a different key...you just apply the numbers to the new key. No re-write of lyrics or music score. And it applies to voice or instruments.
I can really appreciate the system and know why it was adapted to the Nashville studios and how it saves so much time. It also allows the musician to be more creative.
I'm getting a bit confused as I continue in the book though on some of the transposing of #'s and flats. It may take a bit of practicing to get it all down. I think it will improve my playing in general and will also help me learn other's song much easier and faster.
Subject: Re: Nashville Number System..Anyone using this...
by Steve_S. | 04/14/01 at 09:24:42
[size=2]Is this system the same thing as roman numeral numbering of a particular key where a I is the root note or chord and a V is the fifth? And a I-IV-V is a common pop progression?[/size]
Subject: Re: Nashville Number System..Anyone using this...
by Ally | 04/14/01 at 11:55:18
Hi Steve S.,
Yes, this would be the same system. The book explains how different producers, engineers, etc. have adapted their own system(s) of using the Nashville Number System. Some studio's may use Roman Numerals, and some use regular numbers, but it's the same concept. I-IV-V would be the same as 1-4-5 in the NNS. Depending upon what key is set for the number 1 or numeral I would determine the notes or chords. If this was in the key of C (as C being 1 or I), it would be interpreted as C-F-G. The other thing I've learned is that in the NNS the dashes (-) are usually interpreted as minor key's..so 1- would mean Cm. It's usually written 1 4 5 seperated by just a space for the major chords. It's interesting reading. Will take a bit of practice, but I think it's a good system to learn. Different people however, will adapt the system to their likes or dislikes so the language may change a bit from studio to studio or from producer to producer, etc.
Subject: Re: Nashville Number System..Anyone using this...
by Percy | 04/14/01 at 16:40:48
Hey Ally
I been using the roman numeral system for years now. With an understanding of basic music theory, the system is invaluble for the reasons mentioned(transposing, chord progresions etc).The roman numeral system I learned assumes that you know the II,III,and VI are minors,the I,IV,are major 7ths and the V is a dominant(7th) and the VII is a semi-diminished. If a chord is altered, it is marked after the roman numeral ie. IIx. The small "x" would mean the II chord is a dominant(7th). There is a few other details but its the same idea as the Nashville thingie. Works great when you are standing in for someone in a strange band/situation/whatever.
Percy
Subject: Re: Nashville Number System..Anyone using this...
by Steve_S. | 04/14/01 at 16:45:27
[size=2]Thanks Ally. I took a music theory class several years ago and the roman numeral system is the classic way to learn theory & songwriting. I guess if I had to learn the Nashville System for some reason, it wouldn't be very difficult....[/size]