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Latest reply from dar917

(3 posts) (3 people)

Flute playing

Posted 2 years ago by Libz888

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Libz888 said 2 years ago

I'm currently a music student, a flute major, at a university and am starting to think about my future. I am wondering, are flutes ever needed on a cruise ship? I've read in multiple different places that saxophones are wanted but they must be able to double on flute and clarinet. I play the saxophone pretty well but have no experience on the clarinet. Are flute players alone ever accepted for cruise ship positions? I'm worried that my lack of experience with other instruments will cause problems for me.
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David J. Hahn said 2 years ago

Hi Libz888 -

Unless you are going to be an orchestra player in an ICSOM symphony, you should definitely start working hard on your doubling chops. I work in theatre and commercial music and I don't think I've ever worked with someone that played just flute. But almost EVERY gig I play has a doubler on it. It's just the unfortunate reality of small budgets. It's definitely unfair to reed players.

Specifically to cruise ships - I've worked with doublers, or just sax players, but I've personally never seen a flute-only player hired.

Hope that helps!
Dave

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dar917 said 2 years ago

As a flute and saxophone player, I can't tell you how invaluable it is to play multiple instruments. I have been doing musical theatre (community theatre) for a few years now, and you will almost never see just flute in the music book; it almost always switches between flute and saxophone and clarinet in them. If you are still in school, take advantage of taking lessons through the school on saxophone and clarinet!