How to Play Nashville Notation

Review: Nashville Notation

This lesson assumes that you have already completed the Lesson on Understanding Nashville Notation.

Determine the type of Chord to Play

Use your knowledge of keys, scales, triads and Nashville Notation to determine the correct chord to play.

Select the Playing Method

Just like when playing from chord symbols, you can place the chord in the right hand or left hand.

Chords in Right Hand. This method is used when the melody is in another instrument or voice.
Chords in Left Hand. This method is used when the melody is in the piano.

As you become better at playing from Nashville Notation and Chord Symbols, you can also combine the two methods or switch between them during a piece.

Chords in Right Hand

Place the triad in the right hand.
Place the bass of the chord in the left hand.
Most people will find the right hand method to be easier.
This and the following examples assume you are in the key of C.

4        

    

Chords in Left Hand

Play the melody in the right hand.
Place the triad in the left hand making sure the correct bass note is the lowest note.
This method is taught in many beginner books because it allows the pianist to play both melody and harmony.

4        

      

Comping

Comping refers to the rhythmic pattern that a musician uses while playing the chords. Refer to the lesson on Playing Chord Symbols for some simple comping patterns.

Playing the Exercise

For the next exercise play the chord however you wish, but make sure that the correct note is in the bass. You can play it as an arpeggio (one note at a time) or as a chord.