Using Star's Practice Tools: Metronome, Tuner, and Piano

Star includes three essential practice tools built right into the app. No more switching between apps mid-practice. This tutorial shows you how to use each tool effectively.

Time required: 10 minutes

What You'll Learn

• Accessing the practice tools
• Using the metronome effectively
• Tuning your instrument with the built-in tuner
• Using the piano for reference pitches
• Integrating tools into your practice routine

Prerequisites

• Star app installed
• For tuner: Microphone permissions granted

Accessing the Tools

Finding the Tools Menu

Look for one of these:

• Tools icon in the navigation bar
• Quick access menu (often a "+" or hamburger icon)
• Practice tools section in the main menu

The tools are available from anywhere in the app.

Quick Access

Most Star versions allow fast access:

• Dedicated button on the home screen
• Floating action button in shows
• Swipe gesture from edge

Learn your version's fastest path—you'll use it often.

Part 1: The Metronome

Opening the Metronome

1. Access the tools menu
2. Tap Metronome
3. The metronome interface appears

Setting the Tempo

Manual entry:

1. Tap the BPM number
2. Enter your desired tempo (e.g., 120)
3. Confirm

Adjustment buttons:

• +/- buttons: Increase/decrease by 1 BPM
• Slider: Drag for continuous adjustment

Tap tempo:

1. Find the Tap button
2. Tap it rhythmically at your desired tempo
3. The metronome calculates the BPM

Starting and Stopping

• Tap Start or the play button to begin
• The metronome clicks at your set tempo
• Tap Stop or the pause button to end

Visual vs. Audio Feedback

Most metronomes offer both:

• Audio clicks: Sound on each beat
• Visual pulse: Screen flash or animation

You can typically toggle audio if you need silent practice (visual only).

Time Signatures

If available, set the time signature:

• 4/4: Standard (accent on beat 1)
• 3/4: Waltz feel
• 6/8: Compound meter

The metronome emphasizes the downbeat accordingly.

Using with Songs

Before practicing a song:

1. Check the song's BPM in Star
2. Set the metronome to that tempo
3. Play along

Many songs in Star include tempo metadata—use it!

Part 2: The Tuner

Opening the Tuner

1. Access the tools menu
2. Tap Tuner
3. Grant microphone permission if prompted

How the Tuner Works

1. Play a note on your instrument
2. The tuner detects the pitch
3. Display shows:
   • Note name: The pitch you're playing (A, B♭, C#, etc.)
   • Cents indicator: How sharp or flat you are
   • Visual guide: Usually a needle, arc, or color indicator

Reading the Display

On pitch:

• Indicator centered
• Often turns green
• Note name matches target

Flat (too low):

• Indicator left of center
• Often yellow/red
• Tune UP to correct

Sharp (too high):

• Indicator right of center
• Often yellow/red
• Tune DOWN to correct

Tuning Your Instrument

Guitar (Standard Tuning):

1. Play the low E string (6th)
2. Tune until display shows "E" centered
3. Move to A string (5th) → tune to "A"
4. Continue: D, G, B, E (high)

Other Instruments:

• Play your reference note
• Tune until centered
• Repeat for all strings/keys

Tuner Tips

• Quiet environment: Background noise confuses tuners
• Play clearly: Single notes, let them ring
• Tune up to pitch: If flat, tune up. If sharp, go below and tune up
• Check multiple strings/notes: Temperature and humidity affect tuning
• Recheck after settling: New strings stretch; recheck after a few minutes

Chromatic vs. Instrument-Specific

Star's tuner is typically chromatic (detects any pitch). This means:

• Works with any instrument
• No need to tell it what instrument you're playing
• Just play and match the note name

Part 3: The Piano

Opening the Piano

1. Access the tools menu
2. Tap Piano
3. A virtual keyboard appears

Basic Use

• Tap keys to play notes
• Use for reference pitches
• No external sound needed

Finding Notes

The piano displays note names or uses standard keyboard layout:

• White keys: C, D, E, F, G, A, B (natural notes)
• Black keys: C#/D♭, D#/E♭, F#/G♭, G#/A♭, A#/B♭ (sharps/flats)

Common Uses

Give a starting pitch:

• Choir director needs to give the tenors their note
• Find the note on the piano, tap it
• Singers match the pitch

Check a chord:

• Unsure of a voicing?
• Play the notes on the piano
• Hear if it sounds right

Transcribe a melody:

• Hear a song in your head
• Pick out the notes on the piano
• Write down what you find

Learn intervals:

• Play two notes
• Hear the interval (third, fifth, octave)
• Train your ear

Scrolling/Range

If the piano shows a limited range:

• Swipe or scroll to access other octaves
• Look for octave +/- buttons

Volume Control

The piano uses your device's audio:

• Adjust device volume
• Use headphones if in a shared space

Part 4: Integrating Tools Into Practice

Scenario 1: Learning a New Song

1. Open the song in Star
2. Note the key (e.g., G major) and BPM (e.g., 85)
3. Set the metronome to 85 BPM
4. Use the piano to hear the root note (G)
5. Tune your instrument with the tuner if needed
6. Play along with the metronome

Scenario 2: Pre-Rehearsal Tune-Up

1. Arrive at rehearsal
2. Open tuner
3. Quickly tune your instrument
4. Close tuner, you're ready

Scenario 3: Checking a Chord Change

Mid-practice, you're not sure about a chord:

1. Open piano
2. Play the chord notes
3. Listen—does that match what you're hearing?
4. Adjust your fingering if needed

Scenario 4: Slowing Down a Difficult Section

Can't play the bridge at full tempo?

1. Open metronome
2. Set to 60% of the song's BPM
3. Practice slowly
4. Gradually increase tempo (add 5 BPM at a time)
5. Build up to full speed

Part 5: Tips for Each Tool

Metronome Tips

• Start slower than you think: Master the notes first, then add speed
• Practice with metronome regularly: Builds internal timing
• Don't always use it: Sometimes play freely, sometimes with click
• Subdivide if needed: Set to eighth notes for complex passages

Tuner Tips

• Tune before every session: Instruments drift
• Check tuning mid-session: Especially if temperature changes
• Train your ear: Try to hear when you're out of tune before checking

Piano Tips

• Learn basic keyboard layout: Know where C, F, G are instantly
• Use for ear training: Play random notes, try to sing them back
• Verify chords: When learning songs, check chord shapes against piano

Part 6: When to Use External Tools

Star's tools are great for convenience. But you might want external apps when:

• Recording: Dedicated metronome apps may have less latency
• Advanced tuning: Alternative tunings, calibration options
• Professional needs: Higher precision instruments

For 95% of practice situations, Star's built-in tools are sufficient.

Quick Reference

Next Steps

Practice tools mastered. Now:

• Integrate into every practice session
• Build a practice routine using these tools
• Track your progress as tempo increases