If you've been gigging for a while, you probably recognize this: chord charts in Notes, lyrics in Google Docs, a few PDFs in a random folder, and a handwritten setlist you can barely read under stage lights.
It works — until it doesn't. Here's how I brought order to the chaos after 15 years of playing live.
Step 1: Get everything in one place
This is the single biggest improvement you can make. It doesn't matter how you organize things if your songs live in five different apps.
Pick one system and commit to it. Move your chord charts and chord sheets out of Notes, Docs, Evernote, and wherever else they're hiding. Yes, it takes an afternoon. Yes, it's worth it.
What to store per song: lyrics with chords above them, key, capo position, and any tuning notes. That's the minimum. If you play with others, add who sings lead or any arrangement notes.
Step 2: Standardize your chord chart format
Most musicians write chord charts slightly differently every time. One song has chords inline, another has them above the lyrics, a third is just a list of chords with no lyrics at all.
Pick one format and stick with it. Chords above lyrics is the most readable on stage — it's how most musicians naturally scan a song while playing. Whatever you choose, be consistent.
Step 3: Track the details that matter live
A chord chart without context is only half useful. The things you'll actually need on stage: the key you perform it in, your capo position, the tempo if you use a click, and the total duration for setlist planning.
These details save you the "wait, what capo was that?" moment at soundcheck. Store them with the song, not in your head.
I built Fretlist specifically around this — every song stores key, capo, and tuning alongside the chord chart, visible at a glance.
Step 4: Build setlists with intention
Don't just throw songs in a random order. Think about key flow (avoid jumping between extreme keys), energy arc (open strong, build, close big), and practical things like tuning changes between songs.
A good setlist app lets you drag and drop songs, see the metadata per song without opening each one, and gives you total duration so you know you're covered for the gig.
Step 5: Make it accessible on stage
Whatever system you use, it needs to work on your phone or tablet under stage lights. This means readable text at arm's length, easy navigation between songs, and no fiddling with menus mid-set.
Print a paper backup if that makes you feel safe — but your primary system should be digital, searchable, and always with you.
The short version
One place. Consistent format. Song details stored, not memorized. Intentional setlists. Accessible on stage. That's it.
If you're still managing your chord charts across multiple apps and notebooks, it might be time to consolidate. I went through the same process and eventually built Fretlist to solve it — for myself first, now for any gigging musician who wants their stuff sorted.