The Nashville Number System can be adapted for minor keys, just as it is for major keys, by understanding the chord relationships within the minor scale. Here’s how you use it effectively in minor keys:
1. Understand the Natural Minor Scale
In a minor key, the natural minor scale serves as the foundation. The scale degrees are:
1 – 2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
For example, in A minor, the natural minor scale is:
- A – B – C – D – E – F – G
The chords for each scale degree in A minor would be:
- i (minor) → A minor
- ii° (diminished) → B diminished
- ♭III (major) → C major
- iv (minor) → D minor
- v (minor) → E minor
- ♭VI (major) → F major
- ♭VII (major) → G major
These are the natural minor chords in Roman numerals.
2. Adapt Nashville Numbers to Minor Keys
- Use “1” to represent the tonic minor chord.
- Use numbers as usual for each degree of the minor scale.
- Flat signs (♭) are added when needed to indicate chords that don’t occur naturally in a major scale.
For example, in A minor:
| Scale Degree | Nashville Number | Chord |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1m | A minor |
| 2 | 2° | B diminished |
| ♭3 | ♭3 | C major |
| 4 | 4m | D minor |
| 5 | 5m | E minor |
| ♭6 | ♭6 | F major |
| ♭7 | ♭7 | G major |
3. Harmonic Minor Adjustments
When using the harmonic minor scale, a common variation in minor keys, the 7th degree is raised by a half step, creating a major V chord.
In A minor harmonic:
- A – B – C – D – E – F – G♯
The V chord becomes E major (instead of E minor).
In Nashville Numbers:
- The 5 becomes 5 (no “m”) to indicate a major chord.
- The raised 7th note (G♯) is implied for harmonic minor progressions.
4. Practical Nashville Number Example in A Minor
For a common minor chord progression like i – ♭VII – ♭VI – V:
- In A minor: Am – G – F – E
- Using Nashville Numbers: 1m – ♭7 – ♭6 – 5
5. Common Minor Progressions
Here are a few common minor key progressions with their Nashville Numbers:
- i – iv – ♭VII – i → 1m – 4m – ♭7 – 1m
- i – ♭VI – ♭III – ♭VII → 1m – ♭6 – ♭3 – ♭7
- i – iv – V – i (harmonic minor) → 1m – 4m – 5 – 1m
6. Tips for Writing or Playing in Minor Keys
- Always indicate minor chords with an “m” (e.g., 1m, 4m).
- Use a flat (♭) symbol for the 3rd, 6th, or 7th chords when they differ from major scale expectations.
- Adjust the 5 chord (V) to major if you’re using the harmonic minor scale.
By being clear with minor and flat symbols, the Nashville Number System works seamlessly in minor keys!
Having said that: many musicians find it much easier to think in major keys, so even though a song is in a minor key they will write the Nashville Numbers in the relative major.
Example: Here’s a progression in E minor: Em D C B Em D Am B Em
Here’s the progression written in the relative major of G: 6m 5 4 3M 6m 5 2m 3M 6m
This is not how people represent minor in NNS. I wrestled with that a lot when I was first learning NNS. Coming from a classical background, I didn’t understand why everything was relative to the major.
For example, if the song is in A-minor, NNS would notate it in C, the relative Major.
So, in NNS the 1-minor (i) would usually be 6-minor (6-). This turns out to have less cognitive load. You get really used to 1, 4 and 5 being Major, and 2-, 3- and 6- being minor. Then, if you see an exception, you can easily handle the exception.
Using the natural minor, there are no exceptions compared to the relative Major. (This reduces the cognitive load.)
For the harmonic minor, your dominant V would be 3M (or with a triangle to denote Major), and your vii-dim would be #5o. That sharp 5 makes it easy to spot that it’s the leading tone to 6- .
Interesting.. I agree it’s easier to think in Major..