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Topic: Numbers Chart Question |
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 8 Jul 2013 9:32 pm |
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I'm transcribing some tunes for a singer that wants numbers charts.For minor key or modal tunes I like to read my numbers charts in there relative majors. One tune has E- as the only chord in the verse and then A-,C, F and G in the chorus. I would think of this and write it with the C major being the one chord. Therefore the verse would be a 3- . Hmmm. Looks weird but to me it is the simple way to do it.
What is common practice for you guys that deal with music directors/session leaders and all ?
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Bob |
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Skip Edwards
From:
LA,CA
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Posted 8 Jul 2013 9:53 pm
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| That's the way I'd do it. It might look a little funny to some folks, but if you can hear the numbers in your head, it all makes perfect sense to chart it that way. |
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 9 Jul 2013 5:44 am
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I agree, I would do it that way.... Of course a 6- would be far more typical "root" chord than a 3- for that kind of tune but it still seems like the way to go. Charts that use a 1- for the tonic chord, with the major chords ending up as b3s, b6s etc., don't seem as intuitive to me, though of course it doesn't hurt to learn to think of it that way too.
Not hearing the tune I can't know of course, but is it possible the verse feels like it has G as a key center, with a 6-, and then the chorus feels like it modulates up a 4th to C?
Anyway, your approach is the more common one on sessions and gigs here in my experience, though the other gets used too.
Good question for sure, and one that's come up on gigs here now and then. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 9 Jul 2013 8:24 am
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Thanks guys. The G acts as a 5 so I will go the simple route.
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Bob |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 12 Jul 2013 8:02 am
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Hey Bob, I always just added a small "m" for a minor chord, example E minor in the key of C: 3m or IIIm, A minor: 6m or VIm, D minor: 2m or IIm......JH in Va.
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 13 Jul 2013 8:40 am
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It's not rocket science....it's just a shortcut that only musicians will understand.
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"FROM THEN TIL' NOW" |
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Bill Cunningham
From:
Atlanta, Ga. USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2013 10:14 am
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Interesting topic that got my curiosity up.....
For what it's worth, I looked this up in the book The Nashville Numbers System by Chas Williams this morning. To paraphrase, he says it is proper to write the numbers in the major key. For example, House of the Rising Sun first chord is 6-. He then goes on to say if it were a simple song like The Thrill is Gone by BB King he would probably just write it as 1-.
I then went and looked at the Russ Hicks charts in my bass bag. I have played bass a few times with him on steel shows and figure he knows charts very well since he worked so closely with Charlie McCoy, the guy who pretty much invented the concept. Russ's chart for Del Shannon's Runaway was written as 1- and Wayfaring Stranger was written in letters!
I guess it's the chart writer's option. And he should foremost think about the ability of the players to use what he puts on the paper since that is the reason for having the charts in the first place.
The NNS book is very interesting if you want to dig into this topic. It has many examples of individual styles. Jimmy Capps is very simple (I have played steel behind several Opry stars that brought his Opry charts for us to use)and Laura Foster's charts (she charted the TNN bands that Jerry Whitehurst led) are about as complex as a large orchestra score!
Pardon me for rambling on so.....
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Bill Cunningham
Atlanta, GA |
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