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

What side of the stage do you prefer?


  • Total voters
    324
I voted "doesn't matter" because looking back at old band pics it seems half the time I was on the left and the other half on the right. I "think" I should prefer stage right but in all those years of playing I can't remember feeling better about one side, or feeling lesser about one side. I guess it really doesn't matter for me...
 
I prefer stage left because I am partially deaf in my left ear due to a bad ear infection as a kid. I frequently am turned with my right ear towards my rig/ the drummer. If I am at stage right, I end up facing a wall or the side of the stage and can't see anyone else in the band. Even though I run in ears now to help with this, I still prefer the left so I can look at the drummer and everyone else at once. The only caveat is if there is a rhythm guitar player, I prefer to be near him so I can find a good place to lock in with him and the drummer. I was just right of center in my last ban because we had two guitar players and a singer. I really didn't like it. Maybe that was why I quit.
 
After a few necks and headstocks accidentally put into a lead singer, I do all I can to get Stage Left. If I fill in for another band or have to go righty for the house needs it doesn't break my heart, just have to be a bit more mindful during the show.
 
Mostly either stage left or stage right depending on if the drummer was a lefty or a righty. I was stage center in a couple of bands where we had no main singer and we all switched off lead vocals. Also I always seemed to be the one that had to cue everyone in those bands and center stage worked good for that.
 
I prefer stage left since most dummers play right-handed. That puts me on the snare/hi-hat side and makes it easier for me to hear the backbeat and lock in the rythm section.
And, on small club stages it keeps my bass neck out of the cymbals :D
 

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