We have a London friend who was a ship pianist for ten years- he has some amazing stories. So much so that my son- a pianist and guitarist- is considering applying for a cruise gig after uni. Thanks for a thorough overview of how it works and what to expect.
Hi Dan. I enjoyed hearing about your cruise ship experience. I played from 1973-78 mainly out of Miami, when the ships were small but there are many similarities it seems. We did have shared cabins with portholes and we did eat in the passenger dining room. Fun times and I met my wife so it was all good. I spent some good times in Manchester at college and teaching in Gorton!! Cheers.
Thanks for the super insightful video dude, appreciate it. Don't suppose you know whether this is the same approach for the solo guitar/vocalist positions? I know they ask for a 200+ song repertoire list to be sent across and was wondering whether they just pick a song out of there during the interview. Cheers.
Great info mate. My brother in law and sister perform on ships and I've always wanted to. I'm 26. Quite proficient on guitar but lack in the sight reading department. Notoriously shaky when it comes to auditions but am determined. We share the same full name aswrll maybe it's fate I stumbled upon this. Cheers!
I was in a rock band in college. One of our guitarists was a music major, playing the euphonium for the school. Through him, 3/5 of our band got recruited to be the band for the University’s production of “Leader of The Pack”, because the director said he wanted a rock band. We were given a tape. It was classic early 60s rock, no problem. We also had a thick music book which we paid no attention to. Our first day of rehearsal we got thrown in the deep end. We found out we were to be part of an orchestra. The director said “Okay, cut out measures 7 & 8 here, repeat this measure, do the coda here, etc. Thankfully I had played in the percussion session and with my local symphony orch back in HS, so I could read music, but I had never seen drum set music. The Euphonium guy was fine of course. But the other guy, who was playing bass, had never even seen sheet music before. So he stayed up that first night writing the names of all the notes/chords so he could cheat it. Turns out, the MD didn’t really want a “rock band”… he wanted a “show band” as you describe here. We witnessed something really sad. After we practiced we asked the horn guys and the keyboardist to jam. Blank looks… these guys could not improvise and wouldn’t even entertain it. These guys could wail, we heard it!- WTH?! Nope, if it’s not written, we can’t play it. So so sad. Plus, they treated us like unwelcome guests, wondering why the MD brought us in, and we began to wonder ourselves. But by the time of opening night we CRUSHED it. The reaction from the audience, cast, management was that we were the best musical ensemble ever and we were the saviors of the show! But would they jam with us now. Nope! Haha. When it was all done, the guitarist who got us a gig said “Hey man I played on a cruise ship a couple summers ago, do you want to do it? ‘ Will it be like this - sheet music, etc? ‘Yep. ‘ Well no thanks. I really dug your video!
@@DanGuitarSmith You’re welcome. We were later recruited to be “Raiders” for Paul Revere and the Raiders, which would hire a backing band for each region of a tour. It was just for few weeks in the summer, but I had some other obligation and couldn’t do it. I urged the other guys to do it, but they wouldn’t do it without me. 🤷♂️- that’s the only gig I regretted not doing. I mean I could have dressed up like a colonial patriot and everything! Lol
@@DanGuitarSmith any advice at sight reading faster tempos? especially notated chords and things where leaping is considered? been reading for a few years and experienced 8n big band etc.
Me and 3 mates auditioned at an agency in Sheffield for a gig on ships, when we got there it had been filled and they offered to put us all on the showband roster. They then stuck the drummer in another band and hired that band out to Royal Carib, they got kicked off the ship due tot he singers alcohol issues after a couple months. The rest of us just got several offers to DJ in UAE/Qatari hotels etc - one lad took it and is still out there doing it/
Cheers Dan, Im an old muso (Bass player) who goes on cruise ships as a guest, I just saw some extremely awesome Jazz guys on the Quantum of The Seas. Thanks for all the info, you answered a lot of questions I had in my head. One question I have though is that I suspect the show singers are lip syncing ??
In my early experience the singers in the production show were absolutely singing live. There was a change up on Carnival while I was there when the shows turned from a dance cast of 12 with 2 singers... into a cast of 8 who could kind of sing and dance. and that was quite track heavy with a lot of screens and graphics synced up. However! They were singing still.
I worked for a show producer and was brought onto a ship to be the TD for the outside producer. I was treated like ship's crew - couldn't use passenger dining or amenities while the cast and orchestra did, had a bunk in a crew cabin, they wanted me to run shuffleboard and other non-show BS. I got my passport from the ship's purser and got off at the first port with an American diplomatic presence. NEVER AGAIN.
hey man really interesting video. Out of curiosity if youre a guitarist and you can sing, and end up doing guitar/vocal gigs as well, do you get paid extra? or is it all considered "utility musician"?
In my experience there is usually someone on board that's there specifically for the guitar vocal coffee shop sets. That kind of gig wasn't under the utility banner. However if you offered that they would probably take you up on it. But I think that would just be your good will and no extra pay would be had!
@@DanGuitarSmith Sounds like an adventure if little else. But high pressure musicianship is a soul killer. Once I was mixing on a sound stage for a major film and a middle aged woman oboe player stood up saying she needed a quick bathroom break. The director told her "Every janitor in this place could take your seat so sit down and play your part!". I was shocked and scared to death of not getting my moves on the desk just right. Whew! I luckily escaped that job and have never looked back. 🤣😂 I did enjoy your stories and have a feeling there were many, many more. Some not quite right for a TH-cam audience. 😳😂
Hey man. There’s a book I used that was laid out quite well. It was ‘sight reading for the contemporary guitarist’. If you can try and get hold of some guitar pads from musical theatre shows. They are more realistic and have a lot of chromaticism and key changes etc. and stylistically they will move around. I could do a follow up video about reading….!?
@@joethrelfall6370 Hey man. Some of the guest entertainer stuff could be pretty dicey. I remember one guy had a crazy fast greek thing that had a relentless chromatic run in it that took a bit of looking at. Also one time during the jazz sets someone thought it would be good to call giant steps at 400mph...
@@joethrelfall6370 Hey mate. Thanks for the question. It depends on the situation. Guest entertainers.. you get the music at the rehearsal so maybe.... 10 15 mins while they set up mics etc. Production shows will usually be later in the week so you can get the music ahead of time. Jazz sets tend to just be called form a real book on the stage. Function/top 40 sets are usually sent out ahead of time for that night. So just the guest entertainer part of the gig is full pressure. In my experience anyway.
We have a London friend who was a ship pianist for ten years- he has some amazing stories. So much so that my son- a pianist and guitarist- is considering applying for a cruise gig after uni. Thanks for a thorough overview of how it works and what to expect.
I aspire to be a pianist/trumpeter/saxophonist on a cruise ship :)) im 15 :)
I caught that flash of Govan on the back of your Stratocaster with the Tremsetter.
Very clever.
Hi Dan. I enjoyed hearing about your cruise ship experience. I played from 1973-78 mainly out of Miami, when the ships were small but there are many similarities it seems. We did have shared cabins with portholes and we did eat in the passenger dining room. Fun times and I met my wife so it was all good. I spent some good times in Manchester at college and teaching in Gorton!! Cheers.
Hey man. Thanks for the comment. Crazy to think that it’s a similar gig all these years later. I have family from gorton too!
Amaaaaazing video! Thanks for your time and will to share your experience Dan!
I performed on a cruise ship for my first time this year. This video is incredibly insightful!
Thanks man. As I said I haven't done it for a little while. I wonder how much is still accurate...?
Great and informative about the cruise ship gig!Thanks and definitely had my attention during the whole video.
You had my attention for the full 47 minutes! I would love to hear more cruise ship stories.
Thanks dude. There are a load of stories… some perhaps a little NSFW though 🤣
@@DanGuitarSmith been getting back into the sight reading routine. Going good. ;)
Can't wait to hear you play!
Thanks for the super insightful video dude, appreciate it. Don't suppose you know whether this is the same approach for the solo guitar/vocalist positions? I know they ask for a 200+ song repertoire list to be sent across and was wondering whether they just pick a song out of there during the interview. Cheers.
Even though I have no desire to ever work on a cruise ship, i find these stories very fascinating. Great vid!
PS I'm A professional saxophonist btw
great video! thank you so much for share your experience 🙌
Thank you sir.
This video is super helpful! I'm preparing to audition for a cruise gig on guitar. Thanks!
Thanks man. And good luck! 👊
Great info mate. My brother in law and sister perform on ships and I've always wanted to. I'm 26. Quite proficient on guitar but lack in the sight reading department. Notoriously shaky when it comes to auditions but am determined. We share the same full name aswrll maybe it's fate I stumbled upon this. Cheers!
Then it is destiny. Go forth and read my friend. Godspeed 💪🏻
Brilliant vídeo m8
Thanks man!
Thanks, lots of good information.
Great story to listen to, thanks.
Very informative. Thanks
Been a guitarist singing busker for a couple of years. Im in the researching Phase if this job could ve something for me. Very helpfull video
I was in a rock band in college. One of our guitarists was a music major, playing the euphonium for the school. Through him, 3/5 of our band got recruited to be the band for the University’s production of “Leader of The Pack”, because the director said he wanted a rock band. We were given a tape. It was classic early 60s rock, no problem. We also had a thick music book which we paid no attention to. Our first day of rehearsal we got thrown in the deep end. We found out we were to be part of an orchestra. The director said “Okay, cut out measures 7 & 8 here, repeat this measure, do the coda here, etc. Thankfully I had played in the percussion session and with my local symphony orch back in HS, so I could read music, but I had never seen drum set music. The Euphonium guy was fine of course. But the other guy, who was playing bass, had never even seen sheet music before. So he stayed up that first night writing the names of all the notes/chords so he could cheat it. Turns out, the MD didn’t really want a “rock band”… he wanted a “show band” as you describe here. We witnessed something really sad. After we practiced we asked the horn guys and the keyboardist to jam. Blank looks… these guys could not improvise and wouldn’t even entertain it. These guys could wail, we heard it!- WTH?! Nope, if it’s not written, we can’t play it. So so sad. Plus, they treated us like unwelcome guests, wondering why the MD brought us in, and we began to wonder ourselves. But by the time of opening night we CRUSHED it. The reaction from the audience, cast, management was that we were the best musical ensemble ever and we were the saviors of the show! But would they jam with us now. Nope! Haha. When it was all done, the guitarist who got us a gig said “Hey man I played on a cruise ship a couple summers ago, do you want to do it? ‘ Will it be like this - sheet music, etc? ‘Yep. ‘ Well no thanks. I really dug your video!
Aw man. What a story! Thanks for sharing. 😁 and thanks for the compliment
@@DanGuitarSmith You’re welcome. We were later recruited to be “Raiders” for Paul Revere and the Raiders, which would hire a backing band for each region of a tour. It was just for few weeks in the summer, but I had some other obligation and couldn’t do it. I urged the other guys to do it, but they wouldn’t do it without me. 🤷♂️- that’s the only gig I regretted not doing. I mean I could have dressed up like a colonial patriot and everything! Lol
@@DanGuitarSmith any advice at sight reading faster tempos? especially notated chords and things where leaping is considered? been reading for a few years and experienced 8n big band etc.
Top marks Dan, my God it sounds like Hell.
Me and 3 mates auditioned at an agency in Sheffield for a gig on ships, when we got there it had been filled and they offered to put us all on the showband roster. They then stuck the drummer in another band and hired that band out to Royal Carib, they got kicked off the ship due tot he singers alcohol issues after a couple months. The rest of us just got several offers to DJ in UAE/Qatari hotels etc - one lad took it and is still out there doing it/
Cheers Dan, Im an old muso (Bass player) who goes on cruise ships as a guest, I just saw some extremely awesome Jazz guys on the Quantum of The Seas. Thanks for all the info, you answered a lot of questions I had in my head. One question I have though is that I suspect the show singers are lip syncing ??
In my early experience the singers in the production show were absolutely singing live. There was a change up on Carnival while I was there when the shows turned from a dance cast of 12 with 2 singers... into a cast of 8 who could kind of sing and dance. and that was quite track heavy with a lot of screens and graphics synced up. However! They were singing still.
I worked for a show producer and was brought onto a ship to be the TD for the outside producer. I was treated like ship's crew - couldn't use passenger dining or amenities while the cast and orchestra did, had a bunk in a crew cabin, they wanted me to run shuffleboard and other non-show BS. I got my passport from the ship's purser and got off at the first port with an American diplomatic presence. NEVER AGAIN.
Please do a video about the strat 👍
Will do for sure!!
Great 🙌🏻
maybe earplugs for snoring hazards.
hey man really interesting video. Out of curiosity if youre a guitarist and you can sing, and end up doing guitar/vocal gigs as well, do you get paid extra? or is it all considered "utility musician"?
In my experience there is usually someone on board that's there specifically for the guitar vocal coffee shop sets. That kind of gig wasn't under the utility banner. However if you offered that they would probably take you up on it. But I think that would just be your good will and no extra pay would be had!
Sounds like a total nightmare to me. Unless the pay was excellent, why would anyone slave themselves out like that?
Being young, low cost of living given that everything is paid for, and experience and a fresh(ish) out of uni Musician. That was my reasoning anyway!
@@DanGuitarSmith Sounds like an adventure if little else. But high pressure musicianship is a soul killer. Once I was mixing on a sound stage for a major film and a middle aged woman oboe player stood up saying she needed a quick bathroom break. The director told her "Every janitor in this place could take your seat so sit down and play your part!". I was shocked and scared to death of not getting my moves on the desk just right. Whew! I luckily escaped that job and have never looked back. 🤣😂 I did enjoy your stories and have a feeling there were many, many more. Some not quite right for a TH-cam audience. 😳😂
Hey thanks for info !!! ... I would like to get a cruise musician job ... Could You recommend me some app or Études to improve sighreading skills ?
Hey man. There’s a book I used that was laid out quite well. It was ‘sight reading for the contemporary guitarist’. If you can try and get hold of some guitar pads from musical theatre shows. They are more realistic and have a lot of chromaticism and key changes etc. and stylistically they will move around. I could do a follow up video about reading….!?
@@DanGuitarSmith whats the most challenging thing you got given?
@@joethrelfall6370 Hey man. Some of the guest entertainer stuff could be pretty dicey. I remember one guy had a crazy fast greek thing that had a relentless chromatic run in it that took a bit of looking at. Also one time during the jazz sets someone thought it would be good to call giant steps at 400mph...
@@DanGuitarSmith how does it work scanning wise? how long do you get before reading it?
@@joethrelfall6370 Hey mate. Thanks for the question. It depends on the situation. Guest entertainers.. you get the music at the rehearsal so maybe.... 10 15 mins while they set up mics etc. Production shows will usually be later in the week so you can get the music ahead of time. Jazz sets tend to just be called form a real book on the stage. Function/top 40 sets are usually sent out ahead of time for that night. So just the guest entertainer part of the gig is full pressure. In my experience anyway.
No roommate for me. That's a deal breaker
Get a medical done ( every famous metal fail)😂
Steve Gadd on a cruise? What gives?
His son was working on the ship doing sound. Crazy coincidence
Id rather drown.
🤣