stage positions for band members talk

[dbsfgyd1]

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??..

Personally, I much prefer being on the left side because I have a better view of the stage.

 

[jharms80439]

I'm with @LouBass, I used to prefer being on stage left/the hi-hat side - so that I could hear it better.

Now I'm on stage right/the drummer's right. I can see the drummer's sticks better and follow the drummer's right foot for the kick.

John

 

[el murdoque]

My 6 piece: I'm at the Hi-hat, either next to or behind the rhythm guitar/singer.
My 3 piece: drums in the back, bass and guitar either right or left. No real preference, sometimes depending on how the mic is placed.

 

[Relsom]

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.

Pretty much mirrors my preference. I have a lefty drummer. So facing the stage, I'm to his left. Keys next to me, lead voc up front & center. Those 2 guitarist are well on the other side. Percusion to the right of drummer behind guitars.

 

[40Hz]

With the drummer to the left would be my preference. Good line of sight, although not including the face as the drooling would put me off

Well yeah. There's that plus too.

Actually, the last two drummers I played with were real babe magnet types who also looked cooler than me when we were up on stage so…maybe I better not laugh too hard now that I'm thinking about it.

To me, the best part is not having to look at the sort of guitarists who outdo Este Haim when it comes to doin' The Face while they play. (Este's ok doing it because she's cool and adorable anyway.)

 

[instrumentlevel]

Bass (stage left), Drums (up center), ...I like to be next to the high hat and snare.

Me too. Also, I am a major klutz. It's best if there is no one to the left of me, as I have been known to hit things with the headstock. Better to hit objects than people.

 

[GBBSbassist]

I don't care where I'm standing.

 

[Keger Jupit]

As a younger man, stage left because that's what dUg Pinnick did. Now though, stage right...because hi-hats.

 

[HolmeBass]

I prefer hi hat side of drum kit too, so stage left up or middle, if the stage is deep enough. Away from the ride/crash side of the kit.

The BL often is stage right down and can easily see us all for queues while looking over his guitar neck.

But honestly anything works, I've played all over and as long as I can hear the hi hat, snare, and a bit of kick drum and the vocals it will work.

 

[Hot Rats]

Left or right, it really doesn't matter which side of the drummer I'm on. But I am usually crammed into one half of the stage with the lead guitar player and the drummer while the keyboardist and rhythm guitar/lead singer stroll around and leisurely stretch on the other half of the stage.

 

[Frank77]

I always try to set up on the drummer's hi-hat side - easier for eye contact / cues.

 

[BassinCT]

The only requirements I have for the performance setup (besides having sufficient space) is to be able to see and hear everyone. Each group sets up differently and I'm fine with all of it- never had an issue with hearing the hi hat or making eye contact on either side.

 

[FerK]

Like the apparent majority in this thread, I am flexible but given a choice I prefer the hi-hat side. I usually wear IEM, so hearing is not an issue, but it's probably just habit from before I adopted IEMs.

 

[JoeWPgh]

I want to be on the drummer's hi-hat side. From there I prefer to have the keys to my left/in front of me. I've gotten through many pick up gigs by keeping an eye on the pianist's left hand. If there are 2 guitars, they should be positioned to easily communicate and coordinate what they are doing in that shared musical space.

 

[waynobass]

Stage right so with a slight turn I can look at the drummer over the neck of my bass.

 

[sotua]

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.

Also, most drummers keep their china/explosive/ultraloud fx cymbals on the right/ride side - give me the hats side please!

 

[smogg]

I prefer the high hat side but it does not always work out that way. Since I don't sing leads I take either far left or far right as the "stage" allows.

 

[avvie]

Hat side of drummer, PERIOD. The reason for this is because one drummer smacked so hard when he got buzzed that he killed my high frequency hearing in my right ear, so now the left ear must always face away from the drummer.

 

[BaltBass5]

I'm always on my drummer's left as he is a right handed drummer. He and I improv a lot as a rhythm section. I've always been on that side for my entire musical career for that reason.

 

[keith1r]