THE NUMBERS SYSTEM

• The musical scale can be referred to by numbers representing the degree of the scale.
This way, everyone can play the same song in any key without anyone transposing in
their heads.
• The relationship and order of whole-steps and half-steps remain exactly the same in all
major keys.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C C Dm Em F G Am Bdim
D D Em F#m G Am Bm C#dim
E E F#m G#m A B C#m D#dim
F F Gm Am Bb C Dm Edim
G G Am Bm C D Em F#dim
A A Bm C#m D E F#m G#dim
B B C#m D#m E F# G#m A#dim
For # and b keys, add # and b in appropriate places. Also, replace any existing # or b by moving
them a half step up or down, respectively.
Ex: in the key of F#, the 4 would be B major.

• How it Works:
o The number system is case sensitive
§ Major Chords: I, IV, V
§ Minor Chords: ii, iii, vi
§ Diminished Chords: vii°
o Chord Feelings – Each chord has an associated feeling that comes along with it
§ I – Rest/Home
§ ii – Eire passing chord
§ iii – Hopeful Building Chord
§ IV – Opening the door
§ V – Anthem
§ vi – Gloomy rest
§ vii° - Funky Tension
o Arrangements
§ Common Arrangements – these are common arrangements you will find in
pop music
• I – V – vi – IV
• IV – 1 – V – vi
• vi – IV – 1 - V
• IV – V – vi – I/iii
§ Chord Substitutions – chords are able to be swapped out with other similar
chords.
• I – vi
• ii – IV
• iii – V
• IV – ii
• V – iii & ii
• vi – I
• vii° - V

§ Common Arrangements with substitutions – here are some examples of

chord progressions you could play with substituting chords
• I – V – vi – IV
o I – ii – vi – IV
o vi – V – vi – IV
o vi – ii – vi – IV
o I – V – vi – ii
o I – iii – vi – IV
• IV – I – V – vi
o ii – I – V – vi
o ii – I – iii – vi
o IV – vi – V – vi
o IV – vi – iii – vi
o ii – vi – V – I