stage positions for band members talk

[murph7489]

So in my band the usual set up is from left to right looking at the stage..Lead guitar, me (bass), drummer center back, singer center front, rhythm guitar and Keyboards next to him...

however there are a couple of places we play where I set up on the other side of the drummer..so its lead guitar, drummer, bass (me) guitar, and keys...lol...its the stage set up that forces this...but I began to wonder if its any big deal how or where you set up..your position on stage.

do you all use the same positional setup for every gig...or are there changes in your band as well??..

 

[Tnavis]

All depends on the size of the stage. If we're playing as a trio, i'm always stage right. If we've got both guitar players, it's completely up in the air. Years of playing in combo jazz and big band jazz made me more comfortable to the right of the drummer, so that's where I generally prefer to be. Also, if i'm looking at my bass neck, it's more natural to look over at the other band members.

 

[Stevorebob]

I prefer to be on the hi-hat side of the drummer — where the beat is more often on the one, away from the loudness of ride cymbal and positioned to easily make eye contact with the drummer who faces at an angle between the kick and hi-hat. Where the rest of the band sets up doesn’t matter much to me.

 

[kjp360]

There are only 4 rules of where I stand that come to mind. 1) I must be able to see the drummer and the front person(s). 2) I must be able to hear my rig and be able to access it easily. 3) I need to hear the vocal cues so I need to be close to a monitor. 4) I cannot have a lefty guitar player to my immediate left.

 

[Fielding]

Bass (stage left), Drums (up center), Acoustic/Rhythm/Singer (down center), Lead (stage right).

I like to be next to the high hat and snare. The drummer and I prefer it this way. If we have a guest musician they usually slide in between the singer and the lead player.

 

[MattZilla]

Depends on the drummer. Some guys are weird and I like to be on their ride side. Mostly hats side.

 

[SteveC]

I always play to the left of the drummer as I stand by him. Everything else doesn’t matter to me.

 

[five7]

I use to like left of the drummer/hi hat, but now I like right of the drummer.

 

[JRA]

do you all use the same positional setup for every gig

I prefer to be on the hi-hat side of the drummer

 

[RickyT]

Hi Hat side of the drums.

This just seems to be where the DI for the bass always is and I can see the drummer better on this side.

 

[keith1r]

Floor Tom side only. Could see the drummer better and look at the band and see my neck better. To me it looks better with bass on that side too like most rock bands did

 

[Kro]

Hat side preferred, but not mandatory. Otherwise the vocalist/guitarist to my left feels the wrath of my headstock.

 

[JimmyM]

Put me on the side closest to the check.

 

[sedan_dad]

It doesn't really matter. The song doesn't change regardless of where I or anyone else stands.

 

[Bodeanly]

I’m always stage right. Always. Except one time in ‘96. We don’t talk about ‘96.

 

[TheReceder]

Prefer the Hi-hat side, for one band I'm on far stage right. It's a 4 piece, and the guitarist stage left has 3 guitars he switches up during the gigs. That gives him more room and we're less like to butt head(stock)s.

 

[Ostie]

I’m usually between the bagpiper and the banjo player, and right in front of the accordion player. We’ve never actually played a gig. Can’t understand why nobody will hire us.

 

[jamro217]

Interesting topic. Depends on the venue. Football stadium: it don't matter cuz nobody is gonna hear you anyways; seedy dive bar in a bad neighborhood: closest unimpeded path to a fire exit; intimate jazz club: within sight of the drummer, preferably in the back row; most others: wherever there's the most room and best visibility. This is one of those areas where real life confounds your routine. I find being flexible in many types of situations allows you to concentrate on the music and less on your surroundings. If you always set up the same way at practice/rehearsal and for whatever reason can't do that at a gig you won't get thrown off by it. Being prepared for such occurrences is what will set a band apart from hackers. Having an emergency set of acoustic numbers ready in case of a power failure, bringing a backup instrument as well as spare batteries and strings, a flashlight, etc. all fall under the umbrella of preparedness. There is nothing worse than having a band stop in the middle of a song because a string broke, a mic quit or cheat sheets blew away. Horror stories abound. There is no excuse for not taking your product seriously enough to make it the best it can possibly be. Didn't mean to rant, but Pandora's box cracked open for a moment there.

 

[hintz]

Hi hat side whenever possible!!

 

[2112]

My 6-piece covers deal put the lead singer singer front-center flanked on both sides by the guitarists. Drums are back-center flanked on both sides by bass and keyboards, which stand a bit to the front of the kit and closer to each other so they can be seen thru the spaces between the front-row folks. This is the nominal setup. Of course it changes with venue as needed.