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Stage Left or Stage Right?

Which do you prefer?

  • Stage Left

  • Stage Right

  • Whichever is closest to the high hat

  • I'm dead center because I'm kind of a big deal

  • No preference

Results are only viewable after voting.
#87
I can deal with either, as there have been many times with club-provided backline that I had to just go with wherever the amp was placed on stage; however, I prefer stage right. When I was 14 my right ear was destroyed by Iron Butterfly at a teen fair, so i like to keep it as far away from cymbals/hat as possible. Since I look down towards my neck/left hand every so often, I can keep tabs on the drummer as well. Constant eye contact isn't that important to me. Also, if I do end up stage left, I tend to subconsciously turn in toward the singer/drummer/guitarist on the other side of the stage so that the audience is looking at my side, which I think looks like I'm ignoring the audience. I try to be mindful not to do that.
 
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#89
Stage right, initially because that's where JPJ stood. Then I realized it's way so convenient, I can see the snare and the guitarist's neck at the same time. Invaluable when monitoring is non-existent or cheating off the guitar on a song you don't know.
 
#91
No preference, although I do like to be able to take a visual cue from the leader and also to be close enough to the drummer, but not too close and to be able to hear myself clearly (Important when playing fretless.)
But that can happen left or right or center.
 
#98
I actually prefer the hi-hat side of the drummer if I have the choice. My step father is a working Double Bass player and has been his entire life and he told me (like twnenty years ago) he liked the hi-hat side because the drummer's right hand is usually his most consistent, I know that can be debatable and it depends on the drummer but it's a rule I've gone by for the last twenty years.

I never made a big deal about what side I'm on and in the end I remember being on the Stage Right most of the gigs I've played. He also changed how I listen to the drummer, I know many (and I did at once) focus only on the bass drum, now I listen to everything.
 
#99
Just to the right of center.

Drummer is centered with a guitar on ether side of him. I stand on the front right corner of his carpet in front on my amp which is just behind the Drummer's right elbow. As other people have said, we play some very small stages. If the stage is super tight I stand dead center! All four of us take turns singing lead vocals so being up front with the bass doesn't look too weird.
 

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