On stage: Right or Left of the drummer?

[M.R. Ogle]

Okay, I did an open-mic night the other night, and I was put on the right side of the stage (facing it), drummer to my right. I was uncomfortable for the first half hour or so, but I didn't really know why... monitor mix was fine, It just felt weird.

After about an hour, I figured it out. I habitually play with the drums to my left... rehearsing, recording, practicing, jamming, and playing live, I've always placed myself on the other side of the stage. I didn't think it was a big issue, until I didn't have any control over the situation, then it was like a fish out of water for a little while.

Anyone else greatly prefer one side or the other?

[David1234]

With most drummers I like to be on their hi-hat side, since that's the way most (rock or pop) drummers tend to face, most of the time, so we can communicate just that little bit more easily.

[39-Bassist]

For years I played on the drummers right (floor tom side) and now for last 2yrs have been on left because guitarist has "Always" been on the right....oh boy, I deal with it but I still don't feel comfortable either. OH well.

[Red Rover]

I've been to the left, to the right and in front of the drummer. Haven't been behind the drummer yet though. So no preference for me. Being on the hi-hat side makes sense though.

[phmike]

Being the inexperienced player that I am I like to stand where I can see the drummer's feet whether it be on his right or left. Standing toward the rear of the stage (but not actually behind the drummer) helps me see his feet easier.

[seanm]

With the rock bands I am always stage left.

With the country bands, I liked to be stage right so I could see the guitars fretboard better since I never knew what we would be playing next.

[DrSmaggs]

I love being stage right. Don't have to worry about the wall on stage left as long as a bandmate to my left isn't too crazy. I've always preferred right, although I didn't always get it.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by phmike

Being the inexperienced player that I am I like to stand where I can see the drummer's feet whether it be on his right or left. Standing toward the rear of the stage (but not actually behind the drummer) helps me see his feet easier.

Interesting. I don't think I have ever been in a position where I could see the drummers feet. Aren't the drums in the way if you are not behind him?

[prd004]

I always prefer the drummers left. As a right handed bassist it's more comfortable to make eye contact with the drummer. I feel like when I'm on the other side, I almost have to turn away from the audience.

[Ian the bassist]

I have always been stage left with my band but this is probably due to the fact that I'm left handed and the guitarist is right handed. Makes more sense to have the necks face away from each other than towards. Can be hazardous(as my lead singer found out at one gig. I was going down his head was going up. Ouch)

[Drifta]

Originally Posted by phmike

Being the inexperienced player that I am I like to stand where I can see the drummer's feet whether it be on his right or left. Standing toward the rear of the stage (but not actually behind the drummer) helps me see his feet easier.

Yeah when things are getting reaaaaallly loud I like to stand where I can check where the drummer is kicking (sometimes i can't hear the kick drum) .

[phmike]

Originally Posted by seanm

Interesting. I don't think I have ever been in a position where I could see the drummers feet. Aren't the drums in the way if you are not behind him?

I've only played with very small bands and the drum kit was a small one so there was less to have to see around. Even seeing his knees is a big help. I try not to stand completely sideways (90 deg to the other players) but I do turn just a bit so I can kinda watch the drummer out of the corner of my eye. Most often the drummer I play with is only ("only" - no offence conga drummers) playing congas so his hands are pretty easy to watch.

[funkingroovin]

For years our line-up has been,left to right..guitar,drums,bass,guitar. I'm always on the high-hat side,and our rhythm/soloist to my left. Not to brag ,but it's usually my timing that keeps us all together. Our drummer is phenominal,but tends to get lost in his own poly-rhythms,and the guys just say "we'll follow you,he can catch up". Not the S.O.P.,but it works out in the end,as we tend to jazz-up our covers anyway.

A couple weeks ago,we played a gig that ,due to stage area,I was on the floor-tom side,guitar/singer in front of drums,and rhythm/solist on high-hat side..Threw everybody off! The whole first set seemed like the first set we ever played. Never gave line-up a thought till then,it had always been automatic. The rest of the gig went well,but we had to concentrate more on what everyone else was doing and when,which seems odd to me because we've played these songs a thousand times and know them all without a conscious thought..It was just weird hearing it from the other guy's perspective.

[pasta4lnch]

i dont care - though it is nice to be on the hh side. I've played w/ righty and lefty drummers on both sides of them. communication seems to be fine either way . . . imo, ymmv

[Zitch]

I like to be on the right but alot of the time the guitarist wants that spot.

[gard0300]

Wow....with my current drummer, I dont think I could play if I wasn't near the high hat. He has a really light jazzy playing style. Sometimes I have to look at his feet to see where he is at. I guess when we spend some more time together it may not matter.

[bassboysam]

Hi-hat side whenever possible. what else can you keep time to?

[OPBASSMAN1994]

I'd never thought about the whole hi hat facing thing....but oh well....

I habitually play stage right. (drums center, to the left of me.) We're a three piece. I kind of decided to be stage right after watching a live Police concert on VH1 Classic. I thought it was cool how Sting played in that position, when I'd only seen bass playing frontmen playing stage left (drums to their right) typically.

[Johnny Crab]

Been on the floor tom side of drummers(facing the stage = left side?) since 1965 and even before that when my Dad would spin records and we(brother & I and a 3rd friend as a drummer) would "perform" Beatle tunes to the neighborhood kids.
I prefer it but probably only out of habit.

If we're using BOSE and a harmonica player is "sitting in" on my mic, I'm moving either to the other side or back inside of the drum kit next to the drummer.
My ears don't like being abused by harmonica players.

[MuzikMan]

I never considered one side better than the other in terms of communication, but I will sometimes ask to be placed on the side with the most room when I am running the PA from the stage.