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Getting Started

Guides for organizing, performing, and promoting with The Band Plan.

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Welcome to The Band Plan!

This guide will help you get started with managing your band, songs, and setlists. Let's walk through the basics step by step.

Quick Start: 5 Steps to Your First Setlist

  1. Create Your Band
    • Click "Bands" in the navigation menu
    • Click "Create New Band"
    • Enter your band name and save
  2. Add Songs to Your Band
    • Go to your band page
    • Click "Songs" tab
    • Add songs one at a time, or import from a Google Doc
    • Include title, artist, key, tempo, and any notes
  3. Create a Setlist
    • From your band page, click "Create Setlist"
    • Give it a name and date
    • Add songs from your repertoire
    • Organize them into sets (Set 1, Set 2, etc.)
  4. Use Your Setlist
    • Music Stand View: Full-screen lyrics/chords for performing
    • Rehearsal View: Access chord charts and documents while practicing
    • Audio Playlist: Listen to reference recordings
    • Print: Generate PDF for offline use
  5. Invite Your Band Members
    • Go to your band page
    • Click "Invite Members"
    • Enter their email addresses
    • They'll receive an invitation to join

Key Features

Song Management

  • Add songs individually with all the details you need
  • Import from Google Docs for bulk song entry
  • Add links to audio, MIDI, PDFs, YouTube, Spotify
  • Tag songs with genres, moods, and custom labels
  • Mark favorites and filter your repertoire
  • Private songs for personal use

Setlist Creation

  • Drag and drop to reorder songs
  • Multiple sets (Set 1, Set 2, Encore, etc.)
  • Quick filters to find songs by key, tempo, or tag
  • Copy setlists to reuse for similar gigs
  • Finalize to lock and preserve your setlist

Performance Views

  • Music Stand: Clean, full-screen view for performing
  • Rehearsal View: Access to all your charts and documents
  • Audio Playlist: Play through your songs with reference tracks
  • YouTube Playlist: Watch performances
  • MIDI Playlist: Play backing tracks
  • Lead Sheets: Print-friendly PDF charts

Gig Documents

  • Create chord charts for any song
  • Format with sections (Verse, Chorus, Bridge)
  • Print view for paper copies
  • Share with band for collaboration

Recording

  • Record directly in browser during your gig
  • Upload existing recordings (MP3, WAV, etc.)
  • Split into songs with visual waveform editor
  • Link to setlist for easy playback

Tips for Success

Best Practices

  • Keep your song data complete - Add keys, tempos, and notes
  • Use consistent naming - Makes searching and filtering easier
  • Add links early - Audio, MIDI, and PDFs help you prepare
  • Test before the gig - Make sure everything works in performance mode
  • Invite your band early - Get everyone collaborating from the start
  • Create template setlists - Copy and modify for similar gigs

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics, explore these guides for more details:

You're Ready!

You now know the basics of The Band Plan. Start by creating your band and adding a few songs. The rest will follow naturally as you explore the features. Happy gigging!