Members sventvkg Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 All my ship gigs in EU had a NO TRACKS stipulation as well as the resort and pub stuff. No one uses it over there. I just got an email from a new agent in the US who books 8 cruise lines, high end, 3-6 month contracts and they say the same thing. NO TRACKS. I never needed them and worked as much as I wanted. I guess it goes to show you truly Don't need them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Bartus Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 Cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stunningbabe Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 Good on ya. Now let's see 'how' you do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leftyjay Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 i played celebrity cruiselines from florida to alaska. i can understand why they want a solo/duo that doesnt use BTs. that way, they can move you around the ship. decent money....a lot of hours though make sure the contract states the hours you play. if they offer so much $ per week (salary), they can work you all over the ship, and all different hours. as many as 6-8 hours a day. it was a great experience. glad i did it. good luck!!! good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members YeahDoIt Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 I wonder if something happened. Why ban backing tracks? Backing tracks are optional anyway. Did a union get involved? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bajazz Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 that way, they can move you around the ship.I don't think this is the reason at all. In my country, BT is considered cheesy and is often banned. Sometimes I'm accused of using backing (I have a very special rythmic playing style with bass lines, soloing etc..) and luckily I can unplug my guitar and prove I'm not. Otherwise I would be losing quite a few gigs. If you use backing here, no matter if they are fat and nice, you programmed them yourself, downlod midi etc.... It doesn't matter: You are considered less musician and more of a karaoke/DJ thing. Doesn't matter if you play your own instrument, when you already cheat, how would they be sure you play at all? Except from very young people going out for the first time and old people who don't realize that it's possible that a computer can play music, everyone I talk to give me the clear indiacation that live music is everything that is played by humans without having any sort of backing. This may sound weird for some of you, but it's normal her in my country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sventvkg Posted October 6, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 I don't think this is the reason at all. In my country, BT is considered cheesy and is often banned. Sometimes I'm accused of using backing (I have a very special rythmic playing style with bass lines, soloing etc..) and luckily I can unplug my guitar and prove I'm not. Otherwise I would be losing quite a few gigs. If you use backing here, no matter if they are fat and nice, you programmed them yourself, downlod midi etc.... It doesn't matter: You are considered less musician and more of a karaoke/DJ thing. Doesn't matter if you play your own instrument, when you already cheat, how would they be sure you play at all? Except from very young people going out for the first time and old people who don't realize that it's possible that a computer can play music, everyone I talk to give me the clear indiacation that live music is everything that is played by humans without having any sort of backing. This may sound weird for some of you, but it's normal her in my country. Right..This is truth over in EU.. No no, I'm NOT doing the gig everyone..I have had enough boat gigs and a year of my life at sea. I {censored}ing HATE THEM!! I'll be frank, my last ship gigs on DFDS, basically ferries that went from Amsterdam to Newcastle, UK were about all I could take..I made 10K USD for a month straight, 5-6 hours a day, NO DAYS OFF! It was all I could do just to physically make it through and the food sucks, the Europeans are arrogant assholes for the most part...Cast system VERY ALIVE there despite what you hear, and musicians are LOWER then the Philippine maids...True story...Anyway, The American cruise gigs pay a fraction of that money. My buddy makes about a grand a week doing it on a US line. You have to be into that lifestyle and i'm not. Just wanted to share that tracks info with ya, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jayare Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 it helps if you are Tommy Emmanuel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 On cruise ships they have bands and dj's in different "clubs" on the boat. They do not need the solo musician to get the people dancing, its more for listening. At least this is what I observed on cruises I have been on, never did a cruise ship gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pinkfloydcramer61 Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 Wonder how many openings for "cocktail" pianists? I see a listing ever so often on indeed.com. My day job peters out in a few months and if worst comes to worst...at least I wouldn't have to {censored} around with backing tracks. Hate 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted October 6, 2011 Members Share Posted October 6, 2011 Did 3 years on Carnival Cruise Lines with backing tracks. Broke all-time revenue records in the small lounge on 3 different ships. In fact, we were the only duo to make more money in a week than the Disco, and we did that 3 times. CCL rewarded us with a huge, passenger sized cabin with a porthole. But I agree, you don't need them. But then again, there is nothing wrong with them either. BTW, my backing tracks do NOT sound cheesy. At least neither I or my audiences think so. Here's one - it's 12 bar blues (we use it for Sweet Home Chicago) so I'm not violating any copyright for posting it here http://www.nortonmusic.com/mp3/Sweet_Home_Chicago_M128.mp3 -- the one we use on stage is ripped at 192kbps and in stereo - this one is 128 mono for faster downloading/streaming. Want to read how I did it, go to http://www.nortonmusic.com/freemp3.html There is more than one right way to play music. Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sventvkg Posted October 8, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 8, 2011 Totally..Norton. In fact, when I was on Carnival (Ecstacy in 96 before the fire ) There was a duo who used tracks who were very good. Male, female, girl was Australian. Very good, no CHEEZE Present in their trax!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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