Learn chord progressions, transpose songs and understand how chords work together in any major key with this easy-to-read Nashville Number System chart. This 8.5x11 laminated music theory reference shows the numbered chords and scale degrees for 13 major keys in one convenient layout. Use it on a music stand or desk, keep it in a music binder, or hang it on the wall for quick reference while practicing, teaching, songwriting or rehearsing.
Laminated for Practice, Lessons & Repeated Use
Printed on sturdy card stock with high-gloss lamination, this chart is designed to be more than something you simply look at. The laminated surface lets you use a dry erase marker to highlight chords, scale degrees, keys or progressions, then wipe the markings away when you're finished.
For example, a student learning a 1–4–5 progression can mark those three columns and immediately see the corresponding chords across different keys. A teacher can highlight a 1–6–4–5 progression during a lesson, or a musician can mark the chords needed when working out how to transpose a song.
That makes the chart especially useful for music lessons, chord progression exercises, ear training, songwriting, transposition practice and music theory study.
See Chords in Every Major Key at a Glance
The Nashville Number System uses numbers to describe how chords relate to the key of a song. Instead of thinking only in terms of individual chord names, musicians can recognize the same chord relationships from one key to another.
For example, in the key of G, a progression of:
G – Em – C – D – G
can be represented as:
1 – 6 – 4 – 5 – 1
Move that same progression to the key of C, and it becomes:
C – Am – F – G – C
The chord names change, but the numbered progression stays the same. That's one of the reasons the Nashville Number System is so useful for transposing songs and understanding chord progressions.
Understand Which Chords Belong in Each Key
The chart shows the scale degrees from 1 through 8 and identifies the standard chord quality associated with each degree:
1 Major • 2 minor • 3 minor • 4 Major • 5 Major • 6 minor • 7 diminished • 8 Major
This makes it easy to answer practical music questions such as “What are the 1, 4 and 5 chords in G?”, “What is the 6 chord in C?” or “Which chords naturally belong in the key of D?”
Most songs commonly use the 1, 4 and 5 chords, with the 6 or relative minor also appearing frequently. For example, the common chords shown for the key of G include G, C, D and Em.
Major Scales & Music Theory Reference
The chart isn't limited to chords. Each row also shows the notes of the major scale for that key, making it useful for learning scale degrees, finding notes for melodies and understanding basic music theory.
The Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half major-scale formula is displayed along the bottom of the chart, providing another useful visual reference for understanding how major scales are constructed.
Convenient 8.5x11 Size
At 8.5 x 11 inches, the chart is compact enough to keep close at hand without sacrificing an easy-to-read layout. The standard letter size works especially well in a music binder, on a music stand, on a desk, or displayed on the wall of a practice room, teaching studio or music room.
It's useful for guitar, bass, piano, keyboard and other instruments because the Nashville Number System describes musical relationships rather than instrument-specific fingerings.
Product Details: 8.5 x 11 inches • Printed on card stock • High-gloss laminated surface • Dry erase marker compatible • Covers 13 major keys • Shows scale degrees 1–8 • Major, minor and diminished chord relationships • Major-scale notes • Whole-step and half-step pattern • Made in the USA