Double Bass Joel Quarrington's pianists' positioning

[Brilee]

Hi all,

I notice that in most of the Youtubes of JQ, he has the pianist turned around with the lid open upstage. Do any of you do this? What is the benefit? I might try it some time.

 

[the_Ryan]

I prefer doing it for solo performances because if you sit or stand with the bridge of your bass pointed toward the audience your body will be facing stage left. If you want to do any sort of visual communication with the pianist it's easier to communicate with them when they're in your line of sight as opposed to behind you.

I believe if you have the lid open with the piano turned around it will overpower the bass much less than with the lid facing out, but it's been a long time since I've experimented with that.

 

[Brilee]

Makes a lot of sense to me. I also like having eye contact with the pianist.

 

[Richard Whiteman]

And the pianist is the great Don Thompson who knows a few thing about bass playing.