This may be pretty basic to some, but I'm trying to learn some standard chord patterns common to a number of songs each. Someone (it may have been Rick F or MTed) mentioned a number system that they think is a kind of musical shorthand. I like the idea of that. C F and G would be 1 4 and 5. But what about all the OTHER numbers and what do you do with sharps and flats? I'm currently learning a diminished chord shape, is there a number for that? Do the numbers give the time signature or number of beats per bar? I'd better stop before I confuse myself.

marty