How accurately should you learn songs?

[nnnnnn]

You seem to be describing the nautical equivalent of a corporate function or wedding band, doing covers that people will recognise and want to dance to, perhaps in one of the bars onboard in the evenings, and to add to the general festive atmosphere when the ship leaves port, etc. No need to have all the songs note-for-note for that, more important to be together with however the rest of the band is playing them, but I would at least try to learn all the hooks and key riffs (especially if playing any songs that have a well-known bass line).

Sounds like you're not the house band that supports other guest artists for evening shows, unless you're doing double duty, in which case for those shows I would expect you'd be given charts and would need to play whatever parts were written on the charts even if different from whatever recordings you might be familiar with.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I just recently came back from a cruise and watched several bands and solo performers on the ship. None were playing from reading.

Most probably, the musicians are using sheet music while rehearsing.
Also, from my experience, it is not “recommended” to show sheet music during that kind of gigs - it could affect the audience mood, happiness, or whatever...

 

[nnnnnn]

I just recently came back from a cruise and watched several bands and solo performers on the ship. None were playing from reading.

Of the bands I saw while cruising, the piano trio doing late night bar stuff used lead sheets for some tunes, but I think that was reasonable because they took a wide range of requests that were a mix of jazz and easy listening and so forth. The house band supporting the guest artists at evening shows wasn't always visible from the audience, but when they were they seemed to be using charts, which also seemed reasonable given they had to do a different show each night. The pop/rock covers band there to let passengers dance was playing from memory.

 

[Slevage]

You mention it is a cruise gig, but is this as a Cruise ship band or as a guest band on a cruise?

Cruise ship bands play things note for note as they read the music to the song they are playing.

If it is as a guest band, then it depends on the vibe and feel you are going for as a band, I think it is a lot less important to play note for note and far more important to get the vibe right as a band.

Of course, this is just IMO.

The “cruise ship band” is usually referred to as the show band ( orchestra).
They are the schooled musicians who are reading charts just as a band in the pit for a broadway show.

The “guest bands” are self contained units working as sub contractors for the cruise line.

 

[Slevage]

And who does those “note for note” transcriptions?
How accurate are they?

They are as accurate as the transcriber makes it.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Every function band I’ve played with expected the musicians to know the parts, but also encouraged us to add our own joyful noises.

It’s one of the things that makes a party band better than a DJ.

 

[JACink]

And who does those “note for note” transcriptions?
How accurate are they?

I suppose who transcribes them depends on the Cruise line and who they employ, whether it is an external production company and their musicians or musicians employed by the cruise line.

How accurate I suppose again depends on who transcribes them.

I just recently came back from a cruise and watched several bands and solo performers on the ship. None were playing from reading.

These are usually either guest entertainers or smaller bands made up of the main band (i.e: duos, trios etc.) playing in other areas of the ship (secondry lounges, dining areas etc.). The majority of the main shows (which usually consists of the whole ships band, or the vast majority of it) are done with music sheets.

The “cruise ship band” is usually referred to as the show band ( orchestra).
They are the schooled musicians who are reading charts just as a band in the pit for a broadway show.

The “guest bands” are self contained units working as sub contractors for the cruise line.

Yes, this is what I was referring to by the "ships band" (which in some cases are also subcontracted bands, depending on the cruise line).

The guest entertainers or bands, usually have shorter stays and are completely independent of the cruise lines entertainment department except for being contracted by them (again, depending on cruise line).

 

[SirMjac28]

I have a weird thing where I have to play it note for note

 

[lfmn16]

If you get the intros, endings, chords, structure and about 80% of the notes accurately with the correct feel, you’ll be in the top 1%.

No one in the audience will know differently and it’s unlikely anybody in the band will either. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been complimented for getting something perfect when it wasn’t. I just smile and say thanks.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

IME, there's a handful of lines where the bass becomes melody, and you'd better hit that note for note. Everything else you need to hit the structure and the feel of the songs and if you manage that everyone will love it.

 

[Slevage]

I have a weird thing where I have to play it note for note

I do the same thing when it's written and I'm bound to the arrangement (either for a decent fee or just for fun).

Otherwise I love being a creative musician.

 

[LBS-bass]

Getting close with that many songs will be a triumph and it should be all you need to put in a respectable performance. I rarely hear a player learning every nuance, run, fill and turnaround in a cover tune. Getting the basic chord and rhythmic structures down will get you 75% there. Then make sure you pick up anything else in the song that's truly iconic. Beyond that, it's up to how detailed you feel like getting, and you can always go back and pick up more nuances later on.

 

[Proton90]

Thanks again for all the advice guys, I think I'm on the right path with this thing.

What I really intend to do is make and also keep playing interesting as we will be required to do 3 sets each day, every day for 3 moths, so I could entertain myself with nitpicking those little nuances and details. I also plan to extend my duties beyond that of a bass player by incorporating synths into my range of gear, you know, for those 80's songs like Take On Me, Hero, and so on. Do you think that would work, is it worth the effort? I thought it would raise our reputation as a band to a have an authentic sound for multiple eras of music.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Thanks again for all the advice guys, I think I'm on the right path with this thing.

What I really intend to do is make and also keep playing interesting as we will be required to do 3 sets each day, every day for 3 moths, so I could entertain myself with nitpicking those little nuances and details. I also plan to extend my duties beyond that of a bass player by incorporating synths into my range of gear, you know, for those 80's songs like Take On Me, Hero, and so on. Do you think that would work, is it worth the effort? I thought it would raise our reputation as a band to a have an authentic sound for multiple eras of music.

Good for you! That's a very nice gig you've got!
After those 3 months, come back and report your acquired knowledge in various areas of Live Music.

 

[LBS-bass]

Absolutely that would be worth the effort. It's nice to see musicians who really want to work to learn parts. You'll be a valuable asset if you add keys to your bag of tricks; good keys players who are willing to do synth and other incidental parts are very hard to find.

 

[JRA]

i've played parts as accurately as they were written, or as accurately as i could learn them by ear. i've also played parts which just got me into the 'ballpark' and i've played parts i spontaneously made up while someone shouted changes at me. no one ever complained in each of those cases. i think everyone agrees that signature parts/phrases/licks are expected and appreciated when covering. but a lot of cover tunes have throw-away bass parts --- so you can play better parts than the original. i'd choose to play the better parts when it's possible/appropriate.

 

[4001]

Well, it depends on how good you want to be.. it's a lot harder to get everything right than it is to say "close enough for rock and roll"..

I'm sick of an entire world constantly saying, "that's good enough", when in their own hearts and minds they know that it really isn't but won't put forth the extra effort to truly make it good... but "good enough".
You're only fooling yourself.

But hey, the more beer you sell with that bass, the less wrong notes the drinkers hear, I guess..

 

[rhopper]

It depends how anal your band mates are.

Agreed 100%

I can’t tell you how much time is wasted getting everything “exactly like the recording” with some people.

 

[Siggy]

Be as accurate as you like. Pick a song..find 3 live versions on the internet, I doubt if you will find any two bass lines alike (unless it's something very basic and simple). Do your best..Have fun..

 

[Nev375]

It depends. Are you an artist or a musician? You can't really be both at heart.

A musician accurately recites music created by others. This is like a cook following a recipe.

An artist knows the language of music itself and can capture the feel and essence of the original without delving into the details.
This is like a chef who knows what to do when given a set of ingredients and no recipe.

Neither is better than the other because they can both make their clients happy.