Left or Right of the Drums?

i prefer to be on the hi hat side.

 

I have always been on the left of my drummer. For no better reason than that's how we started (back in the 70's) and that's what is comfortable. A couple of years ago we had the chance to be one of the two bands opening for Chicago. We had to use the backline of the band after us and their bass player (thus his amp) was on the drummers's right. It threw me off all night. It just didn't "feel" right. Play where you feel comfortable....

 

Eye contact with the drummer. Plain and simple.

 

May I clarify? Are you talking about stage left and right? I always play stage right (the high-hat side). I'm a lefty and this can cause some issues when the stage is postage stamp size, but otherwise, its where I always set up.

 

Unless I've had this wrong for the last 50 years, if you are playing hi hat side of your drummer (unless he is a left hooker too!!) you are playing STAGE LEFT of the kit and NOT stage right.

My preferred position too, for exactly the same reason as Ray-man

 

Being on the hit hat side gives me the advantage of not hitting the singer in the head with my headstock on small stages.
I just look over my shoulder at the drummer for ******** endings.
I usually prefer to look at the floor than the drummer anyways.

 

I'm confused now, sorry. I always thought that stage right and left meant how you looked at a stage from the audience point of view.

Is that wrong? If it is, then yes, I'm stage left....

I've only been in this game for 20 years, apologies...

 

i prefer to be on the ride cymbal/floor tom side also......for the exact reasons you said, eye contact with the drummer and rest of the band.

 

No, the "stage right/left" is from the actor's/artiste's perspective, not the audience's.

 

It's true. It's from the actor's POV.

I think I'll try this sometime. Being closer to the hi hat makes it easier to hear the drummer, but is that better than seeing the drummer???

 

I am in the middle. Right in front of the bass drum.

 

This way the drummer is facing you as he is focused on the hi hat and snare....which he is constantly hitting. My drummer prefers this. I don't care either way as I rarely look at the drummer, I feel/hear him. If I have to stare at him he is a poor drummer with timing issues.

 

Stage right, where I can watch my drummer like a hawk (I play right handed).

On some of those downbeat accents, you can cut the timing exquisitely fine with simple line of sight.

I know we are all supposed to have perfect timing, but if you are just "hearing" the kit, you BOTH have to be "right on."

Plus, there are beats that require your anticipation. It can be somewhat easier to make an error, if you can't see the drummer's hands and feet clearly.

Diggler, I don't know how you do it. The last time I was in front of the bass drum for an entire evening (due to a short guitar cord) I drove home with a migraine.

 

i prefer the hi hat side because the drummer is hitting the hi hat more often than the ride so it helps me lock in with him better. plus, he's usually looking in that direction so if i have to get his attention he's right there.

 

i have a wireless system, so if i'm not running back and forth on stage, i'm in the mosh pit. but my stack is on the hi hat side, stage left

 

One band I play in has a lefty drummer. So I play on his right, and I get the best of everything!

 

I prefer the hi-hat side as well. I find that when the drummer hits the hat, the sound shoots out toward me. Plus, drummers always seem to look down towards the hi-hat. Weird kinda thing...
Also, the h-hat's quieter than the ride. So I can yell at the drummer, and he'll be able to hear me


Mark