How To "Start From Scratch" and Build a Clean iTunes Library on a Portable USB External Drive?

A while ago I posted about my confused (and confusing) mess of an iTunes:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16183210#16183210
While dozens looked I guess eveyone agreed with me "what a mess" and moved on.
So ... someone at the Apple Store suggested that what I should do is start from scratch. But I'm not sure if I understand all the steps.  He said I should:
* create a folder of all my songs and just the song files not all the other iTunes stuff -- copy all the mp3 and m4a files that I have in Music > iTunes > iTunes Music > Music to a temp folder let's call it "all my music"
* launch iTunes and tell it to move to / always look at / whatever the terms my new portable external USB drive
* click on file / add to library and tell iTunes I want to add that "all my music" folder to iTunes
At this point I don't care if we lose playlists, artwork, play counts and all that stuff.
Does this approach make sense?
Is there another way?
So how do I tell iTunes to only look to the external?  How do I get rid of the old stuff I have on the internal that is offering duplicates and phantom entries?  Do I need to delete iTunes and then download a new copy?  Should I delete the iTunes foilder? ...?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!

jayessemm wrote:
So how do I tell iTunes to only look to the external?  How do I get rid of the old stuff I have on the internal that is offering duplicates and phantom entries?  Do I need to delete iTunes and then download a new copy?  Should I delete the iTunes foilder? ...?
the simplest and working way.
go to iTunes -> Preferences -> Advanced
On there change the iTunes Media Folder location to your external hard drive
Check that the rest of the preference pane looks similar to the following picture.
After doing so, on menu bar go to File -> Library -> Organize Library
This will force iTunes to copy all songs and playlist's to the new place and to build up a new database for the Library.
Empty or corrupted files will left behind on the old location.
After checking that all is on place and working at the new location, you may delete all files at the former location.
Done
Cheers - Lupunus

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