Nashville Number System: Minor | Guitar Tricks

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In this Guitar Tricks lesson, instructor Gary Heimbauer explains the minor chord number system, also known as the Nashville Number System for minor keys—a powerful tool for guitarists learning how to identify and play chord progressions in any key. While many players are familiar with using numbers for major keys, this lesson focuses on understanding how to apply that concept to minor keys using two approaches: relating to the relative major key or renumbering chords directly in the minor key.

For example, in C major, the chords are C (I), Dm (ii), Em (iii), F (IV), G (V), Am (vi), and Bdim (vii°). In A minor, the relative minor of C major, those same chords are recontextualized, with Am becoming the tonic chord (i). Guitarists can either continue using the major numbering (vi, ii, iii) or use a minor-centric system with chord names like i, ii°, ♭III, iv, v, ♭VI, and ♭VII.

Gary highlights how Nashville notation differs from classical Roman numerals. For example, major chords have plain numbers, minor chords are marked with a dash or lowercase “m”, and diminished chords may include a “dim” or a small circle (°). He also explains the role of the altered V chord—like using E major instead of Em in the key of A minor—to create a stronger resolution back to the tonic (Am), thanks to the leading tone.

Understanding chord numbers helps guitarists quickly transpose songs and build interval-based fretboard awareness, especially by mastering common shapes on the E and A strings. Whether you’re learning blues, rock, country, or songwriting, this system boosts your ability to play by ear, analyze songs, and jam in any key.

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Learn the Minor Nashville Number System and find out how some of the best session players in the world make it all happen!

0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Overview
3:13 - Relative Maj/Min
7:12 - Parallel Maj/Min
8:23 - What's The Value?
9:47 - Outro

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