walmartjockey Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Hi, Can someone please tell me how a bass player with no band can find gigs on cruise ships or overseas? I have looked into classified ads but there may be one or two ads per year where a band is actually looking for a replacement. Basically where do I need to start in order to find connections? thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLroomtempJ Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 that would be pretty sweet. From what i've heard, cruise lines hire established bands for those kinds of gigs. In the same way that clubs hire established bands and not individual musicians. jason 2cor5:21 Soli Deo Gloria "it's the beauty of a community. it takes a village to raise a[n] [LLroomtempJ]." -robb My YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Yeah, that's what I've heard. Also if they hire a bassist it's probably going to be somebody whose playing they already know. I have a friend that played piano and keyboards on a Caribbean cruise aqnd he definitely got that from who he knew. Mind you, whe he returned, he hated to even look at a keyboard and favoured drums. Beware of the negative effects of cruise gigs. http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Should be a great way to get a lot of experience and save up enough money for that dream bass you have always GASSED for. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbuddy Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Hi, I am personal friends with the head booking agent for musicians for RCC.( Royal Caribbean..(sp)..Cruiselines) down here in Miami. If you want, I can hook you up. A couple of things.. You need to be a good sight reader...not just chord charts..actually reading basslines. If your reading is not great + you are a quick study + have talent, they will pass on some things. They require a complete physical at the office at the Port of Miami, and are very strict on their no drug policy. They have actually dismissed some musicians at the Port they are after random drug tests. If you are interested, please respond here, then I will give you my email address. Best, Kenny http://web.mac.com/vibechekmusic/iWeb/site/Home.html www.vibechekmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Go here for a discussion from a couple of years ago on the Guitar forum, there's some great info from member Fantasticsound: https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=19&Number=1503406&Main=110952&topic=0#Post1503406 I'd consider doing it if I were single. It's not simple to be simple. -H. Matisse Ross Precision Guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFLA Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 I fill in (occasionally) on a Day Cruise/Casino ship out of the Port of Palm Beach. In addition to what Kenny mentioned, they will also do an extensive Background check. Jim Jim Confirmed RoscoeHead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walmartjockey Posted March 26, 2007 Author Share Posted March 26, 2007 Kenny, I am definitely interested. I am not a sight reader, though I'm sure I could learn - I'm basically a cover band kind of bassplayer who has a couple years of experience playing in clubs and pubs (oh, I'm Canadian BTW). Anyways, yes I would like your email address. It would be great to have some kind of connection. thx to everyone for responding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walmartjockey Posted March 26, 2007 Author Share Posted March 26, 2007 Beware of the negative effects of cruise gigs. This is the one thing that worries me: What happens if you don't get along with the people who you will basically be living with for the next 3 to 6 months. I'm assuming there are no single rooms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbuddy Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 I just PM'd you my email address. http://web.mac.com/vibechekmusic/iWeb/site/Home.html www.vibechekmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFLA Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Negative aspects - I did one stint for Disney, so this is my tale in re: that experience... Contracts are for 6 months, negotiable (from the Cruise ships' POV) after that. There are no single rooms/berths. You may or may not be berthed with a band member, though most likely you will. It will depend on individual situations and openings with contracted players. This applies to Day Cruise/Casino ships as well as long term Cruise Operations. You will be required to NOT be seen by paying Cruisers...i.e. - members of staff will not have access to general quarters at any time. The public is not supposed to see members of staff when they are not on duty. You will have separate eating/exercise/recreational facilities on board and are not allowed access to passenger areas when you are not performing.[This is what I signed on to during my 6 months with Disney.] If you're young and single, this could be a great experience and a good challenge. If you're not (young and single)...maybe not so much. YMMV FWIW - I'd do it again (at that point in my life). Pay was good, conditions weren't bad, bandmates were probably better than me (I learned a lot). Good Luck! Jim Jim Confirmed RoscoeHead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walmartjockey Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 Kenny, I checked my messages and there was nothing there. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbuddy Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 ...just got in from a gig kenny77@earthlink.net Kenny http://web.mac.com/vibechekmusic/iWeb/site/Home.html www.vibechekmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walmartjockey Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Kenny, did you get my email? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbuddy Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Kenny, did you get my email? Sorry Jesson.. I have been real busy gigging. I am working with Bobby from Royal CC tonight so I will talk to him about you. I kind of need to know more about your style..etc. I'll shoot you an email Monday. Cool? Best, Kenny http://web.mac.com/vibechekmusic/iWeb/site/Home.html www.vibechekmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Clayton Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 I did the whole cruise thing about 10 years ago, and the way i got it was through an advert in the Stage newspaper. The Stage is worth getting if you're looking for these types of gigs, well, it used to be anyway, haven't seen it for a few years. Usually after applying you'll have to audition. I went to London for my audition, which consisted of playing a few jazz tunes from a real book with a band, and playing a show tune with a backing tape. Contracts are usually six months as someone already said, but on the two occasions i did it, I was able to get 3 month contracts. It's a good life if you're looking to develop your skills as a musician as you'll be challenged a lot, and have a fair bit of free time to practise too. It's definately worth spending that free time nailing the shows, big band pad, running through real book tunes etc. Incidentally, I worked for Holland America, on big ships, and they were pretty cool. We were well looked after for the most part, and if i were still in my early 20's i'd think about doing it again. Hope that helps in some way... Stu www.basslinepublishing.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walmartjockey Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scyzoryk Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 One of my bass teachers told me that the experience of playing on a cruise ship nearly ended his career as a bassist. I don't remember what the factors were, but he was discouraged and I believe he put the bass down for a bit until picking it up a year later or so.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZZ Thorn Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 What's the pay like on these cruises? Is all your food and lodging included? http://www.myspace.com/themoustachioed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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