Frank,

I don't if you've ever looked at Nashville notation in BIAB but I find it very useful.

All I need to know are the 6 chords built on the first 6 notes of a major scale and I can write in any key I want without having to worry about chord names and song keys. Here are the 6 fundamental chords for a major key ...

  • 1, 2m, 3m, 4, 5 (also 57), 6m


For example, the chord progression C-Am-Dm-G7-1 in the key of C is 1-6m-2m-57-1 (since notes C, A, D, G are notes 1, 6, 2, 5 of the C major scale). If I change to the key of Ab major, it's still 1-6m-2m-57-1 smile

From a Nashville notation (and BIAB) perspective good chords to finish on would include: 1, 1maj7, 16, 12, 169 (in the key of C these are C, Cmaj7, C6, C2, C69).

Note: If you haven't used too many adventurous chords in the body of the song, then it is highly likely that the unadorned chord 1 will be the best choice to end on.

If you're interested, to switch on Nashville notation in BIAB 2014/5 ...

1. Click on "Chord Display".



2. Follow the choices I've highlighted below.




  • In the first image above, you can see the 2m, 27, 59. This song I'm working on is in Ab major and I find it much easier to think of numbers rather than Bbm, Bb7, Eb9, etc.


Just some thoughts.

Noel

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025