It's worst when the drummer is the last guy to show up. He comes in 20 minutes before the downbeat, spreads his crap all over the stage, and there's no time to argue. Drummers should arrive first.
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Fighting For Space At Gigs
- Thread starter Spectre1966
- Start date
In a 5 piece band our lead singer is 6' 2" and one guitarist is 6' 3". The dudes take up a lot of space. Plus the singer likes to wave his arms around, so I have to watch out for his wing span. It seems like most stages were designed for 3 piece bands.
My band is mostly pretty good, my drummer is dumb though, no matter how many times I tell him he needs to offset his drums because there's one person on one side and 2 on another, he continues to put his drums dead center of the stage. So I end up on one side crammed in with another dude and the other guitarist has a lot of space.
It's too complicated...
I can make some sacrifices when it's obvious that the stage isn't big enough , but I don't sacrifice my confort for anyone else if the reason is being that guy being more confortable than me. Most of the time I ask politely for more space and that's enough.
In our practice room there was plenty of space but for some strange reason all the crap (boxes,bags,guitar cases,mic stands) started to accumulate in my corner. And someday I realised that I was playing very upset besides a cluttered corner because people didn't respect my space. I let them see my point and that was enough to solve it.
I can make some sacrifices when it's obvious that the stage isn't big enough , but I don't sacrifice my confort for anyone else if the reason is being that guy being more confortable than me. Most of the time I ask politely for more space and that's enough.
In our practice room there was plenty of space but for some strange reason all the crap (boxes,bags,guitar cases,mic stands) started to accumulate in my corner. And someday I realised that I was playing very upset besides a cluttered corner because people didn't respect my space. I let them see my point and that was enough to solve it.
While I was always at the back, stage left of the drums, I ALWAYS had my space back there- enough for my amp(s), pedalboard and me. Ha d rug as well that often went down, so it resembled something like a "territory" (kinda like saying, "don't come back here unless you wanna mess with the bass guitarist!" LOL).
I suggest you do the same (get a rug that maps out your territory)...
I suggest you do the same (get a rug that maps out your territory)...
The one plus with keyboardist plopping their massive beasts in front of you on a small stage is that you can lean forward slightly at random and tell them lame jokes all night. Trust me, they’ll never do it again.
What’s the difference between a keyboard and a trampoline? You should take your shoes off before jumping on a trampoline.
What’s the difference between a keyboard and a trampoline? You should take your shoes off before jumping on a trampoline.
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Forgive me if my opinion is inappropriate for this, but I have encountered this many times and I wanted to throw my hat in the ring... So to speak...
I've occasionally had to deal with this phenomenon. I used to get annoyed with it because I regarded anyone doing that kind of stuff as being self centered or downright selfish. I was told once "all musicians are selfish... But, some are more selfish than others." If I'm in a "Band," where all members are supposed to be equal ("under god indivisible and space for all." Hmm... Or something like that.
), then I expect maturity and a cessation or ego in order for everyone to enjoy the gig. If I'm a sideman getting paid to play, then I have no opinion. I'll go along with the program. To me, it's just a gig.. An immaterial thing that will come and go most likely, but it's a litmus test of what I may encounter further down the line in regards to respect, openness, and the ability to compromise for the good of all members. If the person that's trying to squeeze me into the corner isn't acknowledging my right to exist, then I'm disinclined to call them for anything that may come up where I have influence. Some people get on the stage and act like they're having an out of body experience or an orgasmic seizure. I.e. ... They freak out, leaving me to think, "my God, this dude/dudette acts like they've never done a gig before?!" I can't deal with that kind of irritation unless I'm getting paid, because the only reasons to play are:
1. You're learning something.
2. You're getting paid.
3. You're enjoying it...
If the gig doesn't fit those criteria, then either don't do it, or price yourself out of it. That way, if they still ask you to do it
you've paid your rent, made your car payment, paid for hair implants, can afford that new dress, skirt or parachute pants... whatever clogs your moat... Slays your goat, et. al...
IMO... Ya gots ta enjoy your music. If someone creates a bad feeling, you may be in danger of associating your music with bad vibes. It happened to me, and it took three years of not playing or listening to music to get it back. So now when I see craziness, my Bull poop detector kicks in and I know to avoid that scenario in the future...
That's just what I think anyway... Take it with a pinch of parsley.
Cheers,
D.
I've occasionally had to deal with this phenomenon. I used to get annoyed with it because I regarded anyone doing that kind of stuff as being self centered or downright selfish. I was told once "all musicians are selfish... But, some are more selfish than others." If I'm in a "Band," where all members are supposed to be equal ("under god indivisible and space for all." Hmm... Or something like that.
), then I expect maturity and a cessation or ego in order for everyone to enjoy the gig. If I'm a sideman getting paid to play, then I have no opinion. I'll go along with the program. To me, it's just a gig.. An immaterial thing that will come and go most likely, but it's a litmus test of what I may encounter further down the line in regards to respect, openness, and the ability to compromise for the good of all members. If the person that's trying to squeeze me into the corner isn't acknowledging my right to exist, then I'm disinclined to call them for anything that may come up where I have influence. Some people get on the stage and act like they're having an out of body experience or an orgasmic seizure. I.e. ... They freak out, leaving me to think, "my God, this dude/dudette acts like they've never done a gig before?!" I can't deal with that kind of irritation unless I'm getting paid, because the only reasons to play are:1. You're learning something.
2. You're getting paid.
3. You're enjoying it...
If the gig doesn't fit those criteria, then either don't do it, or price yourself out of it. That way, if they still ask you to do it
you've paid your rent, made your car payment, paid for hair implants, can afford that new dress, skirt or parachute pants...
whatever clogs your moat... Slays your goat, et. al...IMO... Ya gots ta enjoy your music. If someone creates a bad feeling, you may be in danger of associating your music with bad vibes. It happened to me, and it took three years of not playing or listening to music to get it back. So now when I see craziness, my Bull poop detector kicks in and I know to avoid that scenario in the future...
That's just what I think anyway... Take it with a pinch of parsley.
Cheers,
D.
Maybe. In my band four of us sing ... leads and harmonies. So, I'm still relegated to the back row (aka, "the rhythm section"). But at 6'3" that isn't so bad for me.
I'm with Cliff. The early bird catches the worm.
But you have to go along to get along too. If there's only so much space, guitarists need to adjust a bit as well. But if you grab your spot early, they won't be able to sprawl out claiming more room than they need.
nope, i play in a band that respects all its members and understands the importance of each musician. if im cramped on stage, so is everyone else.
He is talking. Oh, you mean to the people that could actually DO something about it???????
If you don't have enough space, you have no one but yourself to blame. You teach people how to treat you and when you let them disrespect you, it's as much your fault as theirs.
And no, this has never happened to me because I don't let it.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Drummer set up first, then everyone decides the proper location, both side to side and front to back. I want to be next to the drummer, whichever side he/she looks more often.
I suggest you show up early, like the rest of the band, help load in and set up,
and stake your piece of real estate before it's taken.
and stake your piece of real estate before it's taken.
The early bird may catch the worm, but I've seen people look at my stuff and say "you're going to have to move that," "Where am I supposed to put MY stuff?," or just push my gear out of the way... into the corner... But my favorite is when they just look at my gear and start sighing, and huffing, puffing, and shaking their heads. Like I had stabbed a puppy or something to that effect. Also, I ALWAYS get to the gig 1 - 2 hours early... ALWAYS. For me, being late is getting there 30 minutes before we hit.
It doesn't matter if you get there early or not. Some folks and their audacity has no bounds in regards to absurdity.
Drummer, sound tech and I almost always get to gig first (and early). This makes it possible to set up nicely even in the tightest of spaces.
