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Session & Studio Charting with the Nashville Number System | JotChord

Session & Studio Charting with the Nashville Number System | JotChord

Walk Into Any Session Ready to Play

In the studio, time is money. You get one listen to a song, and then the red light is on. You need a chart that’s fast to write, easy to read, and accurate—no excuses. Hasty scribbles on a notepad lead to mistakes. JotChord is the professional tool for creating clean, precise Nashville Number System charts at the speed of the session.

Chart a Song on the First Listen

Forget fumbling with bulky notation software or trying to format a table in a word processor. JotChord’s ChordText syntax is designed for pure speed. It’s as intuitive as typing, allowing you to capture the song's structure, chords, and rhythms in real-time as you listen to the rundown.

  • Text-Based Speed: Simply type 4 5 1 6- to create a four-bar phrase. No mouse required.
  • Instant Formatting: JotChord handles the layout, spacing, and symbols automatically.
  • Complex Chords, Simplified: Quickly notate inversions (1/3), altered dominants (5alt), and pushes (4<) with simple, memorable syntax.

Look Professional, Play with Confidence

Handing a clean, typeset chart to the producer or fellow musicians shows you’re prepared and professional. A legible chart eliminates ambiguity and reduces the chance of errors on a take. With JotChord, your charts are as polished as your playing.

The Power You Need for Complex Arrangements

JotChord supports the advanced notation you need to accurately capture any arrangement, no matter how complex.

  • Modulations: Clearly notate key changes (mod+2).
  • Meter Changes: Handle odd time signatures and temporary meter shifts ((5..) for a 2/4 bar).
  • Detailed Rhythmic Notation: Use diamonds for whole notes (<1>) and underlines for split bars (4_5) to capture the exact feel of the arrangement.

Your Session Advantage:

  • ✅ Unmatched Speed: The fastest way to get from a song in your ears to a professional chart in your hands.
  • ✅ Ultimate Clarity: Produce crystal-clear charts that eliminate guesswork for the entire band.
  • ✅ Cross-Platform: Chart on a laptop in the control room or make quick edits on a tablet.
  • ✅ Advanced Notation: Handles the complex harmonic and rhythmic language of professional music.
  • ✅ Always Ready: Keep it bookmarked. It’s the most reliable tool in your gig bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it really faster than just handwriting a chart?
A: For a simple song, handwriting can be quick. But for complex arrangements, or when you need multiple clean copies, JotChord is exponentially faster. Plus, a typed chart is always more legible, and you can edit it without making a mess.
Q: Can I use JotChord on my iPad in a session?
A: Absolutely. JotChord is a web app that works seamlessly in any modern browser, including Safari on an iPad.
Q: How do I share charts with the rest of the band?
A: Every chart can be instantly downloaded as a high-quality, print-ready PDF. From there, you can AirDrop it, email it, or text it to anyone in the room.

Be the Most Prepared Musician in the Room

Stop letting messy charts slow you down. Elevate your professionalism and be ready for whatever the session throws at you.

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