Gorehound’s Roots Guitar Tips

The easiest way to start learning the Nashville system is to start on the A(5th) string. Memorize the notes  up to the 12th fret. A is open, B is 2nd fr, C is 3rd fr, D is 5th fr, E is 7th fr, F is 8th fr, G is 10th fr, A Octave is 12th. The Nashville system refers to the degree in the Major scale, so the Root/Tonic is A, it gets the number 1, B is 2, C# is 3, D is 4, E is 5, F# is 6, and G# is 7.

Looking at a scale this way allows you to visualize and compare, Chords, Chord progressions and melody’s or riffs. The degrees 1(open-A), 3(4th fret-C#)  and 5(7th fret-E) make up an A Maj triad. The basic 12-bar blues pattern can be described as 1(A), 4(D), 1(A), 5(E), 1(A). A Country or Polka Bass-line A, E, A, E, can be described as a 1-5 bass-line.

Learning this system will allow you to transpose keys effortlessly. This is also important to understanding how all the keys fit together.

Here’s a diagram of all the keys. Memorize the ones you use most.

Here are some good articles on the system

http://www.gospelmusic.org.uk/resources/nashville_numbering.htm

http://howmusicreallyworks.com/Pages_Chapter_6/6_4.html

Not very many people get this system right away. You need to play songs you already know and convert the Chord progression into numbers. I’d say it takes at least a week, possibly a month of practice before you can easily start thinking in Numbers instead of letters.

When you do master this system, it will save you hours Transposing and learning songs. Don’t give up if this does’nt make sense right away.