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Position in relation to drummer

#61
Anybody set up with drummer to side stage? I gigged for about 10 yrs doing this, and it worked well for us. Drums didn’t separate the rest of the band, everybody could always hear each other better (small clubs, 4 piece) and bass was next to drummer.
not for everyone, but I am always surprised more bands do do this set up.
anyone else do this?
 
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#62
If it is jazz, I prefer being on their ride side so on the right for RH drummers Jazz drummers keep time with their ride and the good ones will click it even without tape. Their bass drum is more of a color and random accent compared to a rock/pop drummer. Rock - LH and if possible an amp or some space between. Need to preserve hearing.

But 95%, it's what the BL or producer wants.
 
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#63
I've been all over the stage compared to the drummer, and have always been comfortable wherever I ended up. But, from long habit, I prefer the hi-hat side if I have an option.

The other consideration is that I sing, so I usually end up front left of the drummer if it's the usual drummer in the rear center of the state plot.
 
#65
Depends on the size and shape of the stage area. My FRFR speaker always sits to the left of the drummer (snare side), and he uses a spare channel to monitor his drum trigger device. If there's space, my preference is up front, left of centre, between one of the guitarists, and one of the singers. If there's not enough stage width, the 2 singers go up front, I'll go in the middle in front of the drums with a guitarist either side. There has been occasion due to an oddly shaped stage that I've had to set my speaker in its usual place but stand on the other side of the drums. It's okay, but it does feel strange standing on that side.
 
#68
I stand where I can see as well as hear the drummer. Usually, that is in the pocket next to or just in front of the high hat. That way, depending on the song, I can lock with what is predominant for that song: snare, bass, ride, etc. You have to develop your ability to lock on sight, because depending on the stage, volume of everybody else on stage, including monitors, if the drummer has a sound baffle, etc., you gotta depend on your eyes, sometimes more than your ears, to lock in.
 
#70
s0c9 said:
I really don't care.
I'm wireless in and 99.9999999% of my gigs are IEM. I don't even use an amp.. DI from my pedalboard. I have as much "drums" in my IEM mix as I want to put in it!
We run our own IEM mixes! FOH does FOH.

In a traditional config, the bass amp + player would be to the stage LEFT of the drummer with amp/cab at back so bassist can see/lock in to kick/snare.
In today's world, not so much!
Click to expand...
What’s the world coming to ?
 
#71
I've played in a variety of spots compared to the drummer, but always prefer off the hi-hat side. For me it's best because I can see his kick pedal, hear his eighth notes (off the hi-hat) really well, and can make easy eye contact. On the opposite side, the cymbals get in the way and it's just not quite as comfortable, but not the end of the world.
 
#72
Prefer off the ride-side, away from hat and snare, because I attribute my moderate 5k loss in my right ear to too much exposure to those. I prefer eye-contact with the drummer from that perspective also. When a good drummer wants eye-contact, I'll know it's purposeful.
 
#73
I prefer the floor tom side myself...But I have ben on both sides and not a big deal.
Oh if I am really ticked off by the singer being jerk, lol, I just stand center stage in front of them all...LOL
Well not really but I sure think about it hard...:laugh:
 
#75
Mikrow said:
Anybody set up with drummer to side stage? I gigged for about 10 yrs doing this, and it worked well for us. Drums didn’t separate the rest of the band, everybody could always hear each other better (small clubs, 4 piece) and bass was next to drummer.
not for everyone, but I am always surprised more bands do do this set up.
anyone else do this?
Click to expand...
That's basically what we do in my jazz quarter. From the audience perspective, drummer is on the left side, I'm in the middle, guitar on the right, sax out front.
 
#77
Barukh Immanuel said:
what is best positioning in relation to the percussionist/drummer on stage?
Click to expand...
IME/IMO, it depends. i play different genres at different gigs, and i'm not a singer. i can adapt, but i do have preferences:
- jazz gigs = better on the hi-hat side, but,
- small/tiny stages = depends: maybe on the HH side, maybe in the center (drummers's right).
- large stages = depends vs. anyplace i'm assigned if there's good monitoring.

anyone can play anywhere if necessary. what we prefer is only that: a preference. hearing is crucial...contributing is everything --- they work together.

for players who don't have much experience: be close enough to the drummer (physically, via monitors, both) to 'verify intentions' between bass and drums --- you gotta be working together even when you're not playing the same thing.

it's popular around here to say "lock in with the drummer" but the reality is that the drummer needs to be able to hear and follow/support and "lock in" with you and me! i work with lots of drummers --- i rarely work for any of them :D ...it's teamwork! many times i'm the expert and the drummer needs to hear me in order to play the most useful part. e.g., what side of the drummer helps the drummer understand what it is i'm doing to help him/her out --- and/or vice versa?
 
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#78
It doesn't matter. As long as everybody on stage can hear (and ideally, see) one another, stage positions are entirely a matter of personal choice.

Personally, I like to stand nearest the ride cymbal so typically on the drummer's right.
 

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