Stage-left or stage-right? What is your preference?

[BAW]

it all depends on the venue for me. i also move around a lot while playing. but i think im usually on stage left.

 

[AlembicPlayer]

again
these replies are all on the assumtion that the drums are upstage center
correct?

otherwise it doesn't make sense.

 

[dnarock]

+1 hi hat snar

 

[jim_bass]

For church I usually play stage left, but stand on the right of the guitarist (that way I can see what he's playing in instrumental bit (drummer is behind me, so I get plenty of bass drum and hit-hat in my ear). If i'm singing/leading I put myself in the centre so I can signal to singers and other band members easier.

For gigs, I've played on both sides and either seems good for me.

For me it comes down to whether I'm playing a set song or improvising, to know who I need to hear/see the best.

 

[JTE]

Hi-hat side so it depends on the drummer.

jte

 

[sr506]

allways left, i feel akward on the right side.. idk why

 

[Bass_masta16]

I like being to the right of the drummer.



That's the way Sabbath did it

 

[wagstaff]

I go on both sides depending on the band.

With my college band Inert I'll be on stage left (because one of my guitarists won me in a fight over which side I go on)

With my outside college band She's Got Issues The last gig I was on stage right.

 

[jmac]

A long time ago I played with a drummer that had a 24" Zildjan(sp) ride. It was so @#$&(%* loud it hurt my ear. I started getting to gigs early just so I could setup on up on stage left. The habit has stuck with me.

 

[bassflyer19]

I play stage right, unless I'm getting them backwards. Just from the first time I ever had band practice I ended up there and it felt right.

 

[shamus63]

Stage left-center is usually a sweet-spot for me.

 

[Godbody]

I stand on the drummer's right (near his crash and kick), with the mic in front of me. If I have room, I frequently move to the center. And if I'm having a hard time hearing the one, I stand on the kick drum for a minute or two, usually facing the drummer.

 

[MD Stingray]

right side of the stage, but in front of the drummer. I don't want to see the drummer, he's too ugly, and he smells too. As long as I can hear him, I'm fine. Only at the end of the song I have a look to make sure we end in sync.

 

[dlegault]

Whichever side is closest to the beer is a good place to be.

that's what i'm talkin' bout!

 

[millsbass5]

Left.That's right,left.

 

[iamthebassman]

I'm always stage-right.

 

[SteveC]

Done both left and right. Prefer left for no particular reason - it is nice to stay away from the big ride's and china boy's though.

I've suggested/tried to do bass center stage but the drummers always think they need to be there. Interesting how when I watch concert footage lately that many bands have their drummer off to stage left or right. Makes sense on small stages, too. Drums in the corner leaves more room on stage. Drummers.

 

[finalrequiem]

Ha! I'm happy as long as I'm up there somewhere!

 

[skulletwhip]

Right... mostly for the guitarist needs. he plays some other gadgets to the left of him(keys, machine, etc). Also it just works for us. I also stay back a little to be closer to the drums.

 

[ashtray9]

hi-hat for rock, ride side for jazz

Exactly.