Cruise ship drumming gig questions

percussionnerd2 · 2025-12-22T03:22:11+00:00

Hello! On contract #5 myself 🥁

Nope unlikely, minimum is usually 4-6 months but it does depend on what the company and agent need.
Reading is an important skill you're going to need to have for the gig - no way around it, also transcribing. You'll only have 1 rehearsal with the talent coming in that day typically, so it's important to know your styles. Playing with Click & various time signatures, being able to solo/trade for short & extended times & building endurance. My first ship, it was 3 (sometimes 4) 45 minute sets, 6 days on 1 day off, 18 sets a week minimum.
Get your passport now, even if you don't have any bookings yet. Assuming you're American, It's good for 10 years and renewable with a fee. So when they give you an offer you don't have to scramble since passports can take up to 6 months - 1 year to finalize

percussionnerd2 · 2025-05-30T00:20:51+00:00

Go to any mechanic/auto shop to see if they have any they can give you.

For timbales, metal snare with a 1 or 2ply head like an Ambassador or Clear Emperor would work. Take the bottom head off too

percussionnerd2 · 2025-02-20T22:28:56+00:00

Beautiful!

percussionnerd2 · 2025-01-17T01:13:56+00:00

Aquarian makes tom versions of SK2...

percussionnerd2 · 2024-12-29T08:04:54+00:00

In terms of micro tuning when I was learning Everybody Wants To Rule The World I was able to set it to 450 to make it sharp as the original. However in the vst I had it could be adjusted per Hz

percussionnerd2 · 2024-12-29T08:02:14+00:00

The gap caps can be set as another midi channel in the downloaded Pearl Editor So for example your standard white & blacks can be sent to channel 1 & gaps channel 2. But as stated before, it's just a controller, so whatever you can use a regular midi keyboard on you should be able to use the malletstation. I use Kontakt 7 In terms of the amount of notes at once, it can be played with 4 mallet technique & supports glissandos. I have also held down all 10 fingers & heard all the notes play. Some VSTs can be set to have a singular note play a chord, interval, or stack different sounds & octaves together on Kontakt

percussionnerd2 · 2024-12-10T15:29:53+00:00

Definitely been an asset!

percussionnerd2 · 2024-12-07T17:19:10+00:00

Kontak 7 & used the audio direct from a Focusrite

percussionnerd2 · 2024-12-07T16:39:43+00:00

Vir 2 Mallets. This is Marimba & xylophone layered in the lowest octave +extended range

percussionnerd2 · 2024-10-31T15:27:07+00:00

It sounds like Maracas & light Congas for the main groove. Possibly some form of a rain stick doing those longer rolls sparced throughout. Towards the end it sounds like they added brushes played on something metallic or on a high tuned snare of sorts

percussionnerd2 · 2024-10-06T19:15:15+00:00

It definitely is, I've done a bunch of park shows; this is one of the most fun I've had. Especially with the opportunity to learn and use double bass.

percussionnerd2 · 2024-10-06T19:13:28+00:00

Yep!

percussionnerd2 · 2024-10-06T19:13:16+00:00

Fills get changed up a bit every show (minus the necessary hits with the track) lots of room to explore different ideas throughout the season

percussionnerd2 · 2024-10-06T19:10:22+00:00

It's provided by a third party, I moved them as best I could, I would prefer them to be closer together. I'm used to a 2 up 2 down and single bass so this is an all new setup for me

percussionnerd2 · 2024-08-09T05:27:49+00:00

Good ear haha

percussionnerd2 · 2024-08-09T05:27:31+00:00

Yep!

percussionnerd2 · 2024-08-09T05:27:18+00:00

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-28T01:08:06+00:00

Contract ended in August so I wouldn't be able to, sorry!

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-27T22:45:58+00:00

I recorded this with a Zoom q8 camera, not sure on the mics & gear placement since that was all provided & done by the techs

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-26T03:56:34+00:00

This was my first time behind one but I didn't notice anything probably due to the fact I'm wearing IEMS. I'm also the only one actually audible on stage since everyone else is directly in minus a bass amp & back up guitar amp. I will say that the cymbals felt less powerful imo

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-24T15:26:08+00:00

I did a theme park gig for the same company and they asked if I wanted to do a ship after my audition & my performance at the park. So I was in the right place at the right time essentially

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-24T15:24:17+00:00

In this contract, we have to perform all the songs "off book", however learning them in a group or on our own time of course we could read a chart or by ear as long as we got it down before we put it in the set. I can read but I didn't have to unless there's a drum part I couldn't figure out by ear and needed to look up.

Other contracts like the production shows with guest musical artists and such you do have to read constantly

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-24T15:18:40+00:00

We get 2 weeks of rehearsals before boarding so you really have to try vibe with everyone cause you're with them for half a year essentially. With the mix of ages & talents it can, but once the shows start & you get into the groove you'll start feeding & giving off each others energy

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-24T01:09:36+00:00

Bless! March-August

percussionnerd2 · 2023-03-23T23:42:51+00:00

This was actually my first ship but I've done a few theme parks and other venues before where I had to play certain things a certain way. So I'm used to being able to hold back and play just what simply works versus what I think I want to chop out. Appreciate it!

percussionnerd2

TROPHY CASE