Wellspring uses several chart formats. This part teaches you how to read all of them — so no matter what gets handed to you for a rehearsal, you know exactly what to do.
Foundation — The Major Scale in Numbers
Every key in music is built from a major scale — seven notes in a specific pattern. In the number system, we simply number those notes 1 through 7. The 1 is always home. Every other number tells you where you are in relation to home.
Example — Key of C
1
C
2
D
3
E
4
F
5
G
6
A
7
B
Change the key — the numbers stay the same. Only the note names change.
Key of G
1=G · 2=A · 3=B · 4=C · 5=D · 6=E · 7=F#
Key of A
1=A · 2=B · 3=C# · 4=D · 5=E · 6=F# · 7=G#
1
Lesson 1 of 5
MultiTracks Chord Chart
The MultiTracks chord chart is one of the formats you could receive at Wellspring Church. It shows the full song from top to bottom with chord names above the lyrics exactly where each chord changes.
The Header and Song Map
At the top you will find the song title, artist, key, tempo, and time signature. Below that is a song map — a one-line overview of every section in order. The key is the first thing you will need. Later in this course, you will download your instrument packet, where you will be able to find the numbers on your instrument organized by key.
Praise by Elevation Worship — Key of A · 127 BPM · 4/4
Reading the Chart
Each section is labeled on the left with an abbreviation and a small dynamic instruction telling the band how to play that section. Chord names appear above the lyrics exactly at the moment the chord changes. You hold each chord until the next one appears.
The chord name above a word is your cue. Play it at that word and hold it until you see the next chord name — even if several words pass in between.
Slash Chords
In Verse 1 of Praise you will see Bm/A, E/A, and D/A. Piano and guitar play the chord on the left. Bass plays the note on the right — which in all three cases is A, keeping the song anchored on the home note while the harmony moves above it.
The Slash Chord Rule — applies in every format
Chordal instruments (piano, keys, guitar) — play the chord on the LEFT side of the slash. Bass players — play the note on the RIGHT side of the slash. Drummers — slash chords do not change what you play. Keep your groove.
This rule never changes, regardless of which chart format you are reading.
Chord Suffixes
You will see letters and numbers after chord names throughout Praise and One Name. Here is what each one means:
Suffix
Formula
In Key of C
m
1 · b3 · 5
Dm = D · F · A
7
1 · 3 · 5 · b7
G7 = G · B · D · F
m7
1 · b3 · 5 · b7
Dm7 = D · F · A · C
sus4
1 · 4 · 5
Csus4 = C · F · G
add9 / 2
1 · 3 · 5 · 9
Dadd9 = D · F# · A · E
maj7
1 · 3 · 5 · 7
Cmaj7 = C · E · G · B
add4
1 · 3 · 4 · 5
Eadd4 = E · G# · A · B
For beginners — if you are unsure about a suffix, play just the root chord. The suffix is color. The root is the foundation.
Section Labels
Symbol
What it means
INTRO
Opening section
VERSE
Verse
PRE-CHORUS / Pc
Pre-Chorus — builds energy toward the chorus
DOWN CHORUS
Chorus at lower energy — not full volume yet
CHORUS
Full chorus
INTERLUDE
Instrumental — hold the groove, no vocals
BRIDGE BUILD
Bridge that gradually gets louder
DRUMS ONLY
Everyone except the drummer stops
ALL IN
Full band, full energy
X3
Play this section three times before moving on
║: :║
Repeat signs — repeat everything between them
1. then 2.
First ending on first pass. Skip to second ending on the repeat.
8
Hold this section for exactly 8 measures
✓ Lesson complete
2
Lesson 2 of 5
MultiTracks Number Chart
The number version of the MultiTracks chart is the same document with one change — every chord name is replaced by its number in the key. The layout, section labels, instructions, and song map are all identical.
Same Chart, Different Language
Compare this directly with Lesson 1. A becomes 1. Bm becomes 2m. E becomes 5. D becomes 4. Every chord is now expressed as a scale degree in the key of A.
Praise — Number version. A=1 · Bm=2m · E=5 · D=4
Why the Number Version Exists
If the worship leader changes the key of Praise from A to G right before the service, you do not need a new chart. You open the G page of your packet instead of the A page. The numbers stay the same. Only the chords they point to change. This is the power of the number system.
Reading in Real Time
Check the key in the header. Open that page of your instrument packet before the song starts.
Read the section label and instruction. Know where you are and what dynamic level you are in.
When you see a number, find it on your packet. Your eyes move from chart to packet and back.
Slash chord — chordal instruments play left, bass plays right.
✓ Lesson complete
3
Lesson 3 of 5
Sheet Music Chord Chart
The sheet music chart uses a musical staff with measures, bar lines, and repeat signs. Chord names appear above the staff. The staff itself is filled with slash marks — these show the beat count. You do not need to read pitch from this chart.
One Name (Jesus) by Naomi Raine — Key of G · 6/8 time · Chord names appear above each measure
Reading the Measures
Each group of slash marks between bar lines is one measure. The chord name above that group applies for the entire measure. When a new chord name appears at the next bar line, you change.
The slash marks in the staff are beat markers — not notes. Read the chord names above the staff, count the measures, and watch the section labels.
6/8 Time
One Name is in 6/8 — six beats per measure grouped in two sets of three. Count it as: 1-trip-let 2-trip-let. You will feel it as a flowing, waltz-like pulse rather than a straight 4-count.
Slash Chords in One Name
In One Name (Key of G) you will see D/F#, G/B, and C/E. Piano and guitar play the chord on the left. Bass plays the note on the right — F#, B, and E respectively — creating a smooth descending bass line while the harmony stays the same above it.
✓ Lesson complete
4
Lesson 4 of 5
Sheet Music Number Chart
The sheet music number version is the same document as Lesson 3. Staff, section labels, beat markers, measure bars, repeat signs — all identical. The only change is that chord names are replaced by numbers.
One Name — Number version. G=1 · C=4 · D=5 · D/F#=5/7
Extended Number Notation
One Name introduces some extended chord symbols. Recognize the root number first — the suffix gives you the color.
Symbol
Formula
In Key of G
1add9
1 · 3 · 5 · 9
G · B · D · A
1maj7
1 · 3 · 5 · 7
G · B · D · F#
1sus4
1 · 4 · 5
G · C · D
4sus2
1 · 2 · 5
C · D · G
5sus4
1 · 4 · 5
D · G · A
When in doubt — play the root number. The suffix is color. The root is the foundation.
✓ Lesson complete
5
Lesson 5 of 5
Nashville Number Chart
The Nashville Number Chart is the most compact format. No lyrics, no staff, no beat markers — just numbers, section labels, and notation symbols. One number equals one full measure.
1,000 Names — Nashville Number Chart · Key of Bb · 4/4 · Each number is one full measure
Notation Symbols
Symbol
What it means
◇ Diamond
Hold that chord and let it ring for the full measure. Do not re-strike it.
> Push
That chord hits an eighth note early — on the 'and' of the beat before the downbeat. Creates a syncopated, forward-leaning feel.
— Split bar
Two or more chords underlined together share that measure evenly. Two chords = two beats each in 4/4.
^ Marcato
Hit the chord hard and immediately stop it. Short, punchy, no sustain.
𝄐 Bird's Eye
Hold that chord until the worship leader signals the cutoff. No set length — you watch the leader.
- or m
Minor chord. 6- and 6m mean the same thing.
Section Labels in Nashville Charts
Label
Meaning
I
Intro
V
Verse
C
Chorus
B
Bridge
Pc
Pre-Chorus
Build
Gradually increase energy
Out
Section ends here — stop
The Nashville Number Chart is the most powerful format once you know it. Compact, key-independent, flexible. When the worship leader calls a key change at the last minute — you adjust without missing a beat.
Quick Reference — All Five Formats
Now that you have worked through all five lessons, here is a summary of every format in one place.
Format
What to know
MultiTracks — Chords
Chord names above lyrics. Flows with the words. Most visual format.
MultiTracks — Numbers
Same layout — numbers replace chord names. Key must be known.
Sheet Music — Chords
Staff with measure bars. Chord names above. Section labels in boxes.
Sheet Music — Numbers
Same as above — numbers instead of chord names.
Nashville Number
Compact rows. One number per measure. Diamonds, pushes, split bars, bird's eye.