How to Build and Organize Your Personal Repertoire

Your repertoire is your musical identity—the songs you know, the songs you're learning, and the songs you can perform at a moment's notice. This tutorial shows you how to build and organize a powerful personal repertoire in Star.

Time required: 15 minutes (plus ongoing)

What You'll Learn

• Adding songs to your repertoire
• Organizing songs effectively
• Customizing song details for your needs
• Using your repertoire for quick access
• Building repertoire over time

Prerequisites

• Star account created
• Basic familiarity with the app

Understanding the Repertoire

Your repertoire is separate from shows. It's your personal library of songs—a collection you build over time that represents your musical capabilities.

Repertoire vs. Shows:

• Repertoire: Your persistent song library (songs you know)
• Shows: Specific events with ordered entries (what you're performing)

Songs in your repertoire can be added to any show instantly.

Part 1: Adding Songs

Method 1: From Search

1. Navigate to Search
2. Enter a song title or lyrics
3. Find the song you want
4. Open the song detail page
5. Tap the Add to Repertoire button (heart, star, or bookmark icon)

The song is now in your repertoire.

Method 2: From a Show

While viewing a show:

1. Tap on any song entry
2. Open the song detail view
3. Tap Add to Repertoire

Useful when you've performed a song and want to remember it.

Method 3: From Discovery

Star may suggest songs based on:

• Songs similar to ones you've added
• Popular songs in your preferred genres
• Songs by artists you follow

Browse suggestions and add what interests you.

Method 4: Create a Custom Song

Can't find a song? Create it:

1. Navigate to Repertoire or use the + button
2. Select Create Song
3. Enter details:
   • Title
   • Artist (or create new)
   • Lyrics
   • Chords (optional)
   • Key, BPM, time signature
4. Tap Create

The song is created and automatically added to your repertoire.

Part 2: Customizing Song Details

Adjust the Key

The library may have "Amazing Grace" in G, but you sing it in D.

1. Open the song from your repertoire
2. Find the Key field
3. Change it to your preferred key
4. Save

Your repertoire entry reflects your preferred key, not the original.

Set Your BPM

Same process for tempo:

1. Open the song
2. Adjust BPM to your preferred tempo
3. Save

Add Personal Notes

The notes field is yours:

1. Open the song
2. Find Notes or My Notes
3. Add anything helpful:
   • "Capo 2 for key of D"
   • "Skip verse 3 for short sets"
   • "Start fingerpicking, switch to strumming on chorus"
   • "Last performed: December 2023"
4. Save

These notes travel with the song whenever you add it to shows.

Attach Reference Material

If the song supports attachments:

1. Open the song
2. Look for Reference Track or Media
3. Add YouTube links for tutorial videos or recordings
4. Add PDF charts or lead sheets if available

Part 3: Organizing Your Repertoire

Browse Your Repertoire

Navigate to Repertoire to see all your songs

Search Within Repertoire

Have hundreds of songs? Use search:

1. Open Repertoire
2. Tap the search bar

Sort Options

Depending on Star's features, sort by:

• Title: Alphabetical
• Artist: Grouped by artist
• Recently Added: Newest first
• Most Used: Songs you add to shows frequently

Filter Options

Filter to narrow down:

• Genre: Just worship songs, just folk, etc.
• Key: All songs in G major
• Tempo: Fast songs only

Part 4: Using Your Repertoire

Quick Add to Shows

When building a show:

1. Tap Add Entry > Song
2. Your personalized songs appear
3. Tap to add with your customizations intact

Your key, your tempo, your notes—all transfer to the show.

Request Response

Someone calls out a song at open mic:

1. Open Repertoire
2. Search the title
3. If it's there, you have lyrics, chords, key—everything
4. If not, it's not in your repertoire (maybe add it later!)

Practice Planning

Building a practice session:

1. Browse your repertoire
2. Find songs you haven't played recently
3. Note which ones need work
4. Create a practice show with those songs

Part 5: Building Repertoire Over Time

The Gradual Approach

Don't try to add every song you've ever played in one session. Instead:

• After each performance: Add songs you played
• During practice: Add new songs as you learn them
• When you remember: Add songs from your mental catalog

Over months, your repertoire grows organically.

Quality Over Quantity

A repertoire of 50 songs with complete details beats 500 songs with just titles. For each song, ensure:

• ✅ Correct key (for you)
• ✅ Appropriate tempo
• ✅ Complete lyrics
• ✅ Relevant notes

Regular Maintenance

Periodically review your repertoire:

• Remove songs you no longer perform
• Update notes with new insights
• Fix any outdated information

Repertoire Building Strategies

For Worship Leaders

Focus on:

• Songs your congregation knows
• Songs that fit common themes (grace, hope, praise)
• A mix of tempos and energy levels
• Seasonal songs (Christmas, Easter)

For Solo Performers

Focus on:

• Your signature songs
• Crowd-pleasers and requests
• Songs for different venues (coffee shop vs. wedding)
• A range of 30-50 performance-ready songs

For Choir Directors

Focus on:

• Your ensemble's catalog
• Songs by voice part capability
• Holiday and special event repertoire
• Congregation favorites for participation

For Students/Learners

Focus on:

• Songs you're actively learning
• Songs that build technique
• Progress tracking in notes
• Teacher recommendations

Advanced Tips

Use Notes Strategically

Your notes field can track:

• When you last performed the song
• Audience response
• Technical challenges
• Alternative arrangements

Link to Reference Recordings

For each song, find a reference recording (YouTube, Spotify link in notes). When you need to refresh your memory, the reference is right there.

Create Personal Arrangements

If you have a unique arrangement, document it:

• Modified chord progressions
• Adjusted song structure
• Instrumental breaks
• Key modulations

Quick Start Checklist

Get your repertoire started today:

• [ ] Add 5 songs you perform regularly
• [ ] Set your preferred key for each
• [ ] Add notes about how you play them
• [ ] Add 5 more songs you're learning
• [ ] Create one custom song (original or unlisted)

Next Steps

Your repertoire is the foundation. Now:

• Create a show using your repertoire songs
• Practice efficiently with songs organized and detailed
• Expand gradually as you learn new material