Question 1

What chords are 1-4-5?

Accepted Answer

In the key of C, a 1-4-5 progression is C-F-G. In G, it's G-C-D. In Bb, it's Bb-Eb-F. The numbers refer to scale degrees – 1 is the root chord, 4 is the fourth, 5 is the fifth. This is the Nashville Number System used by professional musicians.

Question 2

What is a 2-5-1 chord progression?

Accepted Answer

A 2-5-1 (ii-V-I) is the most common jazz progression. In C major with jazz voicings: Dm7-G7-Cmaj7. In F major: Gm7-C7-Fmaj7. The 2 chord is minor, the 5 is dominant, and the 1 is major.

Question 3

What is the Nashville Number System?

Accepted Answer

The Nashville Number System uses numbers 1-7 to represent chords built on each scale degree. It lets musicians communicate chord progressions without specifying a key, making it easy to transpose songs instantly. A '1-4-5' is the same progression in any key.