#1689239 - 03/09/06 08:01 AM
Ever play on a float?
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Picker
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The head of the worship arts department at my church contacted me the other day, and asked if I could arrange to have "my group" (a very loosely applied term regarding a few people I have played one tune for special music with last December) ready to play some tunes on a float in a parade next June. As far as I know, there would be no money involved. The guy who played bass for me says he's done that sort of gig before, and it's a drag, and he doesn't want to do it. He did say that we would only need to know is two or three tunes, since you would be constantly moving and by the time you were done with one or two songs, you would be in front of a different crowd.
So, I am curious, has anybody else here ever played on a float in a parade, and if so, what was that like?
_________________________
Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away.
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#1689240 - 03/09/06 03:07 PM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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Geekgurl
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Registered: 08/17/03
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Loc: near San Francisco
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I've also only known other musicians who've done such a thing and they also said it's a drag. These are your elements to contend with:
* you are playing essentially on the back of a flatbed truck, while it's moving. Gear falls over ... or off the float ...
* you are powered by a generator. Noisy, smelly ... also if I were doing this I'd be concerned about line protection so you don't fry your gear.
There are ways to address these issues, but no one I've ever talked to has had anything good to say about the experience. I've shied away from opportunities to do it for this reason (I must be getting old ...). But maybe it's a really fun time and if organized/spec'd well enough these problems can be mitigated, I don't know. I'm interested to hear what others say on the subject. And if you decide to do it, let us know how it goes.
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#1689241 - 03/09/06 05:48 PM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Wow! I thought we'd covered all the unique topics on this forum at one point or another, but again I'm proven wrong! 
No, I've never played on a float, but geekgurl's points seem really valid, especially the motion issues and the generator stinkiness.
Plaing devil's advocate, would it present any advantageous opportunity for you to get yourself out in front of people who would otherwise not hear you play, perchance to book some gigs with this loose collection of friends?
But it does go against my prime gig rule, which is that if I'm not getting paid, there had better be a really good reason to be there. Having fun is, by the way, a valid reason. But I don't know if this sounds fun. Possibly not.
- Jeff
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#1689242 - 03/10/06 12:32 PM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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Geekgurl
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Registered: 08/17/03
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Loc: near San Francisco
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heh, there was one band at a local Carnaval on float whose conga player's girlfriend had to hold his drums in place.  I think one band's conga player had one of his drums bounce off the truck.
I could just picture the MO for getting gigs from this:
"hire" (gotta find some to do it for free, you ain't getting paid) some hotties to throw business cards off the float, like confetti. I'm just kidding of course. I'm sure that'd really piss off an organizer. But it's a funny image ...
Still, yeah, if there's a way to mitigate some of the negative issues and it looks like it could be fun ...
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#1689243 - 03/12/06 01:16 AM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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jay da cop
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Registered: 01/01/01
Posts: 543
Loc: Waldoboro, Maine
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I played piano and synth on a float a few years ago, and swore to never do it again, for all of the reasons stated above by geekgurl. The generator is louder than you are allowed to play, we had to bolt everything to the float to keep it upright, and every change in speed means attempts to maintain balance, while playing. Not exactly ideal. I don't think I made so many mistakes in front of a crowd and got away with it before or since (I hope).
I had a 2 tier stand with a P200 and QS7.1, and they kept moving on the stand, causing no small amount of consternation (Ooh, a big word for this time in the morning - 2:10 am local time). I spent more time trying to keep the boards centered on the stand than concentrating on what I was supposed to be playing.
BTW, it was a worship band, and it was AWFUL! People commented on how good it sounded, but what do they know (he he he). It just goes to show that people do not judge us by the same standards we do. Maybe we are just too picky. OK, before you go postal on me, I am one of the fussiest people you will ever meet. I will practice the same riff or solo part ad nauseum just to make a credible showing in public. I will never compromise my standards, and am not advocating this in anyone here. Just that Joe Public may not be hearing with the same "ears" we are. As far as I am concerned, the public deserves to hear the best we can offer.
Back to the topic. I will never, in as much as I can help it, play on a float again.
Jay
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#1689244 - 03/12/06 11:51 AM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Originally posted by jay da cop:
It just goes to show that people do not judge us by the same standards we do.
- Jeff
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#1689248 - 03/13/06 06:11 PM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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I heard that cruise boat gigs were terrific... great pay, great food that's included in the deal, and fringe benefits (think "cruise groupies", ha-ha-ha-ha!).
- Jeff
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#1689249 - 03/14/06 12:35 AM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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Tedster
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Registered: 09/21/00
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Yep. I want to take a six month sabbatical from work and play a cruise ship. I need a freakin' break.
_________________________
"Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine...(WAH WAH WAH WAHHH!)"
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#1689250 - 03/23/06 04:03 PM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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acctjm
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Registered: 02/16/05
Posts: 113
Loc: eastern pa
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I played on a float (flatbed) in a couple of parades years ago, and I experienced everything described above. On top of all that, one of the 3 songs we had in rotation was Achey Breaky Heart.
acctjm
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#1689253 - 04/08/06 11:48 AM
Re: Ever play on a float?
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Edgar Summers
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Registered: 11/18/00
Posts: 282
Loc: Arizona Desert
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Anyone see the dell-taco commercials with the maricahe band on the float? That got nasty!
I played from the back of a pickup truck last year. I gave up after about 20 minutes 'cause the speakers, and the keyboards moved too much. A collaption waiting to happen.
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Art is making something out of nothing and selling it. Frank Zappa
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Moderator: Jeff Klopmeyer
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Man, your shrink bills for treatment of the ensuing psychological scars must've been impressive. My condolences. 
