Charts for the whole band

BANDSTAND

Make a chart in SaltyCharts. It syncs into your band's Bandstand book, so each player reads the same chart with their own sign-in. Free, self-hosted and open source.

Get Bandstand The jam board is next

Use Bandstand

Download or install the web app

Have your band's book address? Open it in your browser, sign in, then use Add to Home Screen or Install app to keep the reader on your device.

The Windows ZIP is being prepared for the first published release. It includes the reader, SaltyCharts editor and runtime. Extract it and open Start Bandstand, with your charts and backups kept outside the app folder.

You can run the source today. The installation guide covers Windows, browser installation and a server on Mac, Linux or Raspberry Pi. Each band has its own book; your band's server needs to run when you fetch charts or sync changes. Save and check your charts offline before a gig.

Installation guide Release downloads View the source

The jam board: what is planned

Scan

A QR would open the board on a phone with a current browser and a connection.

Put your name and instrument in

Players would join the list with a name and instrument, visible to people with the board link.

Throw a tune on the board and vote

Players would suggest songs, vote and offer to play. The planned board lists song titles. It does not hand out charts.

See who is up next

The queue would be visible from the board, so people can check who is next.

The host keeps the queue

The plan is for the host to choose the next song, call the players and close the board at the end of the night.

From Simon

Heyo, I built gloryjams.com, the jam directory. The jam board is next.

I play these jams and I want them to survive. I want to make the list easier to manage and let everybody see who is up.

Built on Bandstand, the open-source gig book.

Bandstand combines the gig book and SaltyCharts editor. A director creates or edits a chart; connected bandmates get that update in their books. The source and release page on GitHub give the current installation options. Rehearsal rooms are included but off by default. The software is free and open source under the AGPL.

The jam board is still coming. Tell us what your jam needs. I may reply personally when you write in.

simon

For hosts

Straight answers

What can we use today?: Bandstand's source is in public beta, with the reader and SaltyCharts editor included. You can install the browser reader from your band's book address. See the installation guide above for setup and the Windows download's release status. The jam board described here is not available yet.
Is the software free?: Yes. Bandstand is free and open source under the AGPL.
What would players need?: A phone with a current browser and a connection. The plan is to join the board from a QR link.
What about Wi-Fi?: Players and the host would need a working connection. Signal varies by venue, so keep a paper list handy.
Who controls the queue?: The plan is for players to suggest songs and vote, with the host choosing the order.
What about our regulars?: We plan to let the host add people by hand, including anyone who would rather skip the phone.
Charts and copyright?: The planned board lists song titles. It does not hand out charts.
What if it breaks?: Keep a paper backup so you can carry on if a phone or connection stops working.
Can we use it every week without you?: That is the goal for the jam board. It is still being built, so we are gathering interest now.

Keep your paper list. Even when the board is ready, pen and paper will be a useful backup.

I want it at my jam

Tell me when it is ready

Leave your name and a way to reach you. If you run a jam, tell us about it. This sends us your interest in the coming jam board.

Find a jam

Looking for somewhere to play tonight? The directory is where this all started.

Is there a jam tonight? All Bay Area jams