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6.4
The Nashville Number System
6.4.1
Roman Numeral Chords: I Chord, IV Chord, V Chord, Etc.
In the Nashville Number System, Roman numerals represent whole chords (not single notes), which are named after the chord's roots. Here’s how scale degree Arabic numbers and chord Roman numerals are related:
- A chord with scale degree 1 as its root is called the I chord (the “one chord"). For example, in the key of C major, the chord C major is the I chord (the “one chord”).
- A chord with scale degree 4 as its root is called the IV chord (the “four chord”). For example, in the key of C major, the chord F major is the IV chord (the “four chord”).
- A chord with scale degree 5 as its root is called the V chord (the “five chord”). For example, in the key of C major, the chord G major is the V chord (the “five chord”). Etc., etc. So far, so good.
Now for the important part.
The relationship between harmony and melody begins with the identification of the seven harmonic degrees. As you’ll see in a minute, this is the basis of the Nashville Number System.
So ... what’s a harmonic degree? Just a technical name for “chord.” These chords are the triads (three notes, separated by intervals of a third) whose roots are the seven individual scale degrees of a given diatonic scale.