Hello, i am contemplating applying for a cruise ship bass gig. Technically I am confident in my ability and I am not worried about adapting to the lifestyle. The only thing that I am concerned about is my reading ability. I have a solid grasp of theory, I am confident with my knowledge of scales, modalities, and chords, but because most of my playing has been in a nonformal rock setting, my reading has lagged behind. I played in the pit orchestra for one musical a few years ago, and after only a few rehearsals gave well recieved performances. I am not worries if I am given music with the corresponding chords, but if I were to just follow along with the melody in the key signature I am worried I wouldnt be able to keep up. My question is this: could I be at a place where I could play as a gigging cruise ship musician for the summer of 2019? I would be balancing my studies with a college schedule.
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Reading for cruise ship gig.
- Thread starter mr13ump
- Start date
You need to be able to walk in and read down anything they might potentially throw at you. Anything.
90% of that will be stuff that you can probably now sight-read with one eye shut, three fingers tied behind your back, and half your brain on Adderall.
The other 10% will make you poop your undershorts when you see the statistical density of notes-per-measure.
But you need to be prepared and confident so that when that 10% shows up you don't besmirch yourself on the bandstand, you just play it as solidly and authoritatively as you did the half-note oompah roots on "Beer Barrel Polka". (Which they will call more than once, trust me.)
Can you be that good a sight-reader by summer 2019? That depends on how much work you put into it. Got 30 minutes per day, every day, to work on just sight-reading new material? 30 minutes a day, seven days a week, 365 days between now and next summer... you should be able to tear that gig up!
I recommend that every professional musician try a cruise ship gig once.
...but only once.
90% of that will be stuff that you can probably now sight-read with one eye shut, three fingers tied behind your back, and half your brain on Adderall.
The other 10% will make you poop your undershorts when you see the statistical density of notes-per-measure.
But you need to be prepared and confident so that when that 10% shows up you don't besmirch yourself on the bandstand, you just play it as solidly and authoritatively as you did the half-note oompah roots on "Beer Barrel Polka". (Which they will call more than once, trust me.)
Can you be that good a sight-reader by summer 2019? That depends on how much work you put into it. Got 30 minutes per day, every day, to work on just sight-reading new material? 30 minutes a day, seven days a week, 365 days between now and next summer... you should be able to tear that gig up!
I recommend that every professional musician try a cruise ship gig once.
...but only once.
There's two types of cruise player. (1) The packaged band that is hired for a venue. You don't have to read—you just have to be a good band, and pass an audition.
(2) The main show band. You absolutely have to read to get this coveted position. Bassist on the main stage. It is part of the audition.
(2) The main show band. You absolutely have to read to get this coveted position. Bassist on the main stage. It is part of the audition.
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I believe that there's a great story hiding here, and I want to know it!
All the great stories from that gig would require a fairly granular look at the day-to-day activities of the band onboard (and off).
But the biggest takeaway, the view from 10,000' if you will, is that when you work on a cruise ship you are a prisoner on a cruise ship.
You can make a butt-ton of money if you A) give up your rent/mortgage on land, and B) don't spend your paycheck on alcohol, but you are still essentially trapped in a giant floating hotel for weeks/months at a time.
You can also get some fantastic experiences, both musical and otherwise.
Perfect for anyone still living in Mom's basement.
