Position on stage

[jaywa]

As far as setting up closer to keys vs. guitar... it depends on the players. I like to be physically closest to the best players in the band whenever possible, and I ask for my monitor mix the same way. If the keyboardist is kickin it with the drums and staying out of the lower register, I want to hear a lot of that cause it makes my job easier and more fun. OTOH if s/he's going to be pounding out lame bass lines out of time, it is literally just noise. Same with guitars, whether acoustic or electric. Even singers. I've asked sound techs to take the vox completely out of my monitors more than once.

 

[ogrossman]

... I've asked sound techs to take the vox completely out of my monitors more than once.

I'd have to have a ton of confidence in the lead singer before I'd do that. I've had too many experiences where the lead singer cuts to the chorus at the wrong time or some such thing and all the band can do is follow him.

 

[JimmyM]

I'd have to have a ton of confidence in the lead singer before I'd do that. I've had too many experiences where the lead singer cuts to the chorus at the wrong time or some such thing and all the band can do is follow him.

I take the other vocalists out of my monitor, too. I can almost always hear them well enough without it.

 

[guitarrock24]

Excuse me asking, but what is the hi-hat side. I've never played live before, so I wouldn't know what this means.

 

[fishtx]

I'm still laughing at the "locking-in Nazi's" comment...lol

(off topic)I guess I should elaborate a bit...I think "locking-in" with the drummer is absolutely essential for some styles of music and particularly for some songs...having said that, if you listen to a lot of old classic rock stuff, the drummer and Bass player were seldom "locked-up"..more often the bass player was locking up with the guitar player, or just noodling around...and that gave that old rock music it's classic vibe...this should open a can of worms...lol

Now back on topic, as far as where on the stage I like to sit up...I like being on the drummer's left...just me...

 

[jaywa]

I should have clarified, I would never want to completely not hear the lead singer, but almost always they are blaring loud enough through everyone else's monitors that I can hear them even if they're not in mine. If I have the privilege of my own mix and am in a situation where everyone pretty much sticks to the script every time, the kick drum and hat are loudest in my monitor, then me, then the next most competent rhythmic instrument (guitar, keys or aux percussion), and the lead singer after that.

However, if I'm in a situation where the singer is known to take liberties with the structure of a song, I'll want more of him or her dialed in. No fun to be playing the chorus while the singer is repeating a verse or vice versa.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm still laughing at the "locking-in Nazi's" comment...lol

(off topic)I guess I should elaborate a bit...I think "locking-in" with the drummer is absolutely essential for some styles of music and particularly for some songs...having said that, if you listen to a lot of old classic rock stuff, the drummer and Bass player were seldom "locked-up"..more often the bass player was locking up with the guitar player, or just noodling around...and that gave that old rock music it's classic vibe...this should open a can of worms...lol

Now back on topic, as far as where on the stage I like to sit up...I like being on the drummer's left...just me...

Not only classic rock, but even Jamerson and Bob Babbitt...listen to how many Motown songs have the bass just plow the drummer over. And yet it sounds tight, grooving, and soulful. Locking in is a concept invented by drummers to help make up for having a crappy bassist. But if you're not crappy, there are times when you can dance all over the beat and make it sound amazing.

 

[JimK]

Excuse me asking, but what is the hi-hat side. I've never played live before, so I wouldn't know what this means.

A hi-hat is part of the drummer's kit.
(looks like 2 small cymbals with a foot pedal).
Anyway, the hi-hat is typically the most 'consistent' part of the drummer's kit.
That's where you should be...right next to it.

 

[JimK]

...if you listen to a lot of old classic rock stuff, the drummer and Bass player were seldom "locked-up"..more often the bass player was locking up with the guitar player, or just noodling around...and that gave that old rock music it's classic vibe...this should open a can of worms...lol

Good luck 'locking in' with someone like Keith Moon, Mitch Mitchell, Clive Bunker, Neal Smith, etc.
These guys weren't playing to a script...

 

[Murder_Worship]

i put my amp to the left of the drummer and i usually am in the middle because i i do vocals aswell and there is always a guitarist to the left of me and right i like having the guitars panning to the left and right and bass around the middle a bit to the left thats the way i like it

 

[SwitchGear]

I love to set-up right next to a good drummer (right side) and locking in with the groove. That is one of the most satifying aspects of playing bass to me. To each his own I guess.

 

[Matthew Bryson]

I'm up front, usually stage right. I have to sing back ups, leads on a few, wink at the girls and all that...

I love to "lock with the drummer" - but I have to rely on my ears to hear his drums. I don't get to stand next to him.

 

[DanielleMuscato]

I haven't read this whole thread, but I stand next to the drummer's hi-hat, maybe 2-3 feet away. I really dislike standing anywhere else. Even on bigger stages, I tend to keep within 5-10 feet of that spot.

 

[Deacon_Blues]

A comment about "locking in"... The only thing I care about is that everyone in the band share the same timing and that the groove is somewhat consistent.

 

[gb2]

haven't thought too much about my stage position yet (and I definitely did some gigs...), but after reading all this I guess I'm doing everything wrong
I prefer standing left to my left-handed drummer. I don't really care that much about that position, but that's basically where I feel best. but more important as my position is the position of guitar and keys, because I just can't stand having them on my side of the stage! I just need a third or quarter of the stage for my own, with nobody standing in front of my bass cab. not that I'm moving around like, hm, let's say boris jeltsin past midnight, but I just need that space.

(and it's horrible to have your keys player standing in front of your bass cab and after the show listen to all the mistakes you made according to him, without even noticing...)

 

[JimmyM]

A comment about "locking in"... The only thing I care about is that everyone in the band share the same timing and that the groove is somewhat consistent.

Ya, that's about how I size it up, too. Everyone keep the time, keep the groove, and everything else takes care of itself. If a song needs it locked up, that's cool, but if not, go nuts!

 

[Matthew Bryson]

A comment about "locking in"... The only thing I care about is that everyone in the band share the same timing and that the groove is somewhat consistent.

Wait - I thought that's what "locking in with the drummer" meant...

 

[hockey_head]

my band always sets up the same, and my bass rig is on the floor tom side of the drummer. this is cool because i almost never hear the snares rattling.

 

[JimmyM]

Wait - I thought that's what "locking in with the drummer" meant...

I've always defined it as using the drummer's bass drum to define how you play your part and playing with it. YMMV, but what you're talking about is keeping good time from where I come from.

 

[Baker69]

I prefer to play to the right of the drummer, mainly due to the fact that I'm left handed and if I were to stand on the other side of the drums, particulary on small stages there's a danger of my bass neck hitting the drum kit or the cymbals.