mattcbass Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Hi all, I'm in a 5 piece function band that is currently applying/auditioning for cruise ship contracts. Was hoping to get any feedback and advice from those who have played on them before. Either in the show band or as a function/party band. What are the best and worst bits of the job? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I have done a quite a few over the years - but only in the production shows band. Best bits for me were visiting the great resorts of the world [and meeting my wife - she was a singer/dancer in a show] Worst bits - two to a cabin, hard work when you are trying to get it on with your future wife. Good luck with the auditions, and enjoy it, you can have a great time. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaypup Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 If our keyboard player is anything to go by, the best thing is the constant supply of drugs and the worst thing is... the constant supply of drugs. There's a good thread on the subject here http://basschat.co.uk/topic/173458-got-my-first-cruise-gig-starting-on-sunday-advice-please/page__st__20__p__1618647__hl__cruise__fromsearch__1#entry1618647 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 A drummer friend of mine also met his wife on a cruise whilst he was in the band. So beware! There are several members of this forum who have relevant experience, so hopefully they'll be along soon. Me, I get seasick far too easily to ever think of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I also met my girlfriend on a ship. If you are going on as a band there are basically two situations you'll be in (at least on the ships I've done). One is basically playing a lot of ballroom stuff for dancers and some easy listening pop and jazz. The other is as the main party band,where you will have to play pretty much everything. You'll be expected to be able to play for the various theme nights (country,'70's, '50's/60's etc),sailaway deck sets,early evening ballroom set,and depending on the time of year you may have to do big themed parties (New Year,Jubilee,etc). We have even covered for the orchestra at some of the Captains Parties where we had to read the orchestra's pad (I even depped one show for the orchestra's bass player once). It sound's like a lot,and it is really,but you won't be doing all of that in a day.Our contract's say we can be made to play up to 5 hours a day,but it's normally about 2 and half-3,sometimes more,sometimes less. You will have to know a lot of songs (because you'll see the same faces every night of a cruise) and you will have to play songs that you wouldn't in a regular UK function band (Jimmy Buffet anyone?). You pretty much only play at night,unless you do an afternoon deck set or sailaway,so you have all day to go around the ports and do whatever as long as you're back for your set. With regards to the constant supply of drugs,I've seen guys get thrown off if they are found to have taken anything-we've even had drug dogs come aboard in port. You get used to the sea sickness quickly,although it can still get to you if it's particularly rough. The worst bit for me is that depending on the company you may be expected to do emergency drills.It's not really a big deal,but it's a bit of a pain in the arse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcbass Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 Thanks guys for the replies. I'd love to play for the shows, my sight reading isn't amazing but I would embrace the challenge if I ever got the chance. We've almost learnt enough songs from each decade/genre to manage a full night's worth of each so that aspect shouldn't be an issue. The lead singer also plays clarinet so that could come in handy if we ever needed some jazz/easy listening instrumentals. Did you find that it was easy getting your first contract? We've applied to a few agents and some go cold after we say we haven't had any ship experience and a few just haven't got any work at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Didnt Jaco used to play on the loveboat. The guy with the huge velvet bow tie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBob09 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I'd love to jump on a ship in 2013. I need to shed hard at the start of 2013 and will apply in the summer to be a member of the show bands. The hardest part for me will be shedding hard to prep for an audition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 Higgie is yer man - currently cruising the Caribbean and having a particularly fabulous time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 (edited) [quote name='mattcbass' timestamp='1356110485' post='1907068'] Thanks guys for the replies. I'd love to play for the shows, my sight reading isn't amazing but I would embrace the challenge if I ever got the chance. We've almost learnt enough songs from each decade/genre to manage a full night's worth of each so that aspect shouldn't be an issue. The lead singer also plays clarinet so that could come in handy if we ever needed some jazz/easy listening instrumentals. Did you find that it was easy getting your first contract? We've applied to a few agents and some go cold after we say we haven't had any ship experience and a few just haven't got any work at the moment. [/quote][quote name='AndyBob09' timestamp='1356218907' post='1908195'] I'd love to jump on a ship in 2013. I need to shed hard at the start of 2013 and will apply in the summer to be a member of the show bands. The hardest part for me will be shedding hard to prep for an audition. [/quote] I've not done a cruise ship but I have done a lot of research on it and have been taught by quite a few ex-cruiseers(?). I have also recently been in contact with the head of entertainment of a few cruises (can't remember the companies name). Firstly you don't seem to need any "chops" to play cruises, its mostly reading or just playing old songs so shedding is not necessary. On that point apparently because of the ships cliental, I have been told most of the music is 30's and 40's swing, sometimes venturing into 60's and 70's. For auditions, it will be different for every MD/ company but, confidence, a smile and good execution seem's to be what the people I have spoken to look for. As for getting auditions; a C.V, link to videos, website, photo's ect. Pretty standard. I decided that it wasn't for me but lots of people enjoy it. Edited December 23, 2012 by OliverBlackman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 [quote name='OliverBlackman' timestamp='1356221649' post='1908216'] Firstly you don't seem to need any "chops" to play cruises, its mostly reading or just playing old songs so shedding is not necessary. On that point apparently because of the ships cliental, I have been told most of the music is 30's and 40's swing, sometimes venturing into 60's and 70's. [/quote] On the first part,on the cruises that I've done,the repertoir is much wider than that. The Orchestra will be playing mainly whatever the shows require (Standards,Motown,Pop..whatever) and whatever the guest acts bring on,which could be just about anything. The Party band will be playing anything.You might play a set of dances (waltz,quickstep etc) to old standards,or you might play a set of really modern stuff (Lady Gaga,Taylor Swift,Justin Timberlake etc) and anything in between. You need a big variety of material to choose from. The cliental differs depending on the cruise and the time of year so you need to cater for everyone-American passengers like different things to the Brits,so you need to be aware of that and play songs that you'd never dream of playing here. With regards to not needing chops,you probably won't be soloing much,but you need enough chops to be able to read and play what is required of you correctly,first time. I'm off to the Caribbean in February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1356273832' post='1908613'] On the first part,on the cruises that I've done,the repertoir is much wider than that. The Orchestra will be playing mainly whatever the shows require (Standards,Motown,Pop..whatever) and whatever the guest acts bring on,which could be just about anything. The Party band will be playing anything.You might play a set of dances (waltz,quickstep etc) to old standards,or you might play a set of really modern stuff (Lady Gaga,Taylor Swift,Justin Timberlake etc) and anything in between. You need a big variety of material to choose from. The cliental differs depending on the cruise and the time of year so you need to cater for everyone-American passengers like different things to the Brits,so you need to be aware of that and play songs that you'd never dream of playing here. With regards to not needing chops,you probably won't be soloing much,but you need enough chops to be able to read and play what is required of you correctly,first time. I'm off to the Caribbean in February. [/quote] Hey Doddy, glad to hear it's not all the same. My post was from what I have been told in the past from players and an entertainment manager that I have met. From what I was told the orchestra is usually a different band to the party band but I guess you might sometimes will need to dep in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 [quote name='OliverBlackman' timestamp='1356292387' post='1908921'] From what I was told the orchestra is usually a different band to the party band but I guess you might sometimes will need to dep in. [/quote] Yeah they are two different bands. I've been going on with a party band,but there have been times,like I said earlier,where we have covered some sets for the orchestra.It's not common to dep for the orchestra guys,but it's an option if you can read and it's necessary.My band has a lot of charts,so we've even had the guys from the orchestra dep with us at times...We've also had the horn section sit in with us,because we've got full horn charts too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.