Stage Left or Stage Right?

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

If I'm subbing or starting a new band, stage right so I get a good view of the guitar (assuming the guitarist is right-handed). Other than that, it really doesn't matter to me. I'm stage left in my band now because the guitarist prefers to be stage right.

 

[smperry]

Stage left. I like being close to the drummer. I'm a righty so I don't want my headstock going into a cymbal.

 

[Kmonk]

No preference.

 

[Chad Michael]

Hi hat side (worked with rightie and leftie drummers) is always my pref.

However, one band had two guitarist / lead vocalists, I was center stage.

 

[Spent]

Stage left, I'm right handed and like to turn toward the drummer without hitting a cymbal. Been standing there for 25 years and have noticeably worse hearing in my right ear. I hate cymbals.

 

[seanm]

With the current band I am almost always stage left. The lead guitar just prefers stage right. And stage left kinda makes sense to keep the bass headstock out of the way on tight stages.

Generally I prefer stage right so I can watch the guitar for songs I don't know. Obviously not a problem when I know the songs.

I am almost always in front of the drums, so the drums don't really come into the decision. I am always surprised at how many bassists what to see the drums. Do you always tuck way back with the drums even on a larger stage?

 

[Rich Fiscus]

Since I'm a lefty who has only played with right handed guitarists, I prefer stage right. Besides avoiding the problem of dodging cymbals on a small stage, it allows me (and the guitarist) an optimal view across the stage while facing the audience.

 

[seanm]

We have played one venue multiple times where the stage is too small. At that venue I stand at the front of the pub (the band is at the back) facing the band. Very weird. I have to use a wireless of course.

 

[Jamvan]

Stepped into the existing band and the BL owns stage right so I've been relegated to stage left...or the side that is usually cramped with the mixer and monitors for the drummer. I would prefer stage right as it's significantly easier to turn towards the drummer/center stage without having the neck of my bass knock over my mic stand. I am working on my moves to make it appear more like dance moves when I lift my neck either above or below the boom! (Yes, we play small stages!)

 

[seanm]

Stepped into the existing band and the BL owns stage right so I've been relegated to stage left...or the side that is usually cramped with the mixer and monitors for the drummer. I would prefer stage right as it's significantly easier to turn towards the drummer/center stage without having the neck of my bass knock over my mic stand. I am working on my moves to make it appear more like dance moves when I lift my neck either above or below the boom! (Yes, we play small stages!)

On small stages I am *really* glad I don't sing.... no mic stand in the way!

 

[Humbled]

...If he's on my left, I can view my fretboard when needed.

Stage Right because I'm right handed and also prefer the ability to have a better view. That, and my right ear has a little 5k loss and frequency-dependent distortion, so I'd prefer not to expose my right side to up-close snares and cymbals. These days, I even often have a guitar player between myself and the drummer. It's no big deal since I'm used to in-ears, or preferably (for me), listening to a full-band-mix in frontfills.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Stage left. If my drummer was left-handed I would probably switch sides.

 

[waynobass]

Good question! Stage right, so I can see the drummer and guitarist when I look up from my fretboard (which I really should do more often).

 

[PortlandBass77]

Is 'high hat' slang for wasted guitard?

 

[Lo-E]

I prefer to be stage left regardless of whether the drummer is righty. I got used to SL because of the high hat, but now it's just habit.

 

[onosson]

Have always preferred stage right, almost always get positioned stage left and have learned to deal with either - but my preference still stands.

 

[interp]

Stage left whenever possible. Next to the hi-hat.

 

[silky smoove]

I tend to eye check drummers constantly. As a drummer myself I know that most of the time a drummer will be on his hihats as opposed to his ride. Generally speaking of course. I get the most eye checking opportunities by lining up on the hihats rather than the ride.

Right handed closed or left handed open and I'm on stage left. Left handed closed or right handed open and I'm on stage right.

 

[crucislancer]

Stage left almost always.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Watch it on TV.