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stage positions for band members talk

#61
I'm always determined to preserve the one arrangement that matters to me: that I stand as close to the kit as I can, and that it be on the drummer's right -- so I can look to my left and see the drummer.

This feels natural to me. I'm right handed. Looking left at the neck is natural. Looking left at the drummer is natural.

Personal choices, true. For me, this is it.

As for the rest of the band, we try to always keep it the same, with the guitar to my immediate right (my other side). The only other instrument (keys/piano/hammond) is a player who does not care about location and gets the slot that remains, wherever it may be.
 
#62
Funny now as this has made me think of this.. how most 4 piece bands sorta fall in to the same symmetry on stage.
How odd now to remember the Beatles stage positions.
Ringo ,usually on a riser, center back. Rythem guitar /singer John at stage left,
Paul and George sharing one mic at stage right.
Weird.
 
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#63
I don't gig (yet? ever? dunno) but if I did I guess It would be better to have my drummer center-front and me on the background, because he's the lots-of-fun guy with the cool moves and I am the not-entertaining-at-all what-am-I-doing-here awkward statue.
 
#64
In the R&B band I was in for many years the standard was L-R facing stage: Guitar, Bass, Singer (slight offset from center) Drums center, then keys forward, and trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, and bone behind. The keys were at least as forward, and if possible more so, than the mic line as he was leader and we'd watch to him for any special cut offs or anything. That of course got turned all sorts of ways depending on the venue...
 
#65
BaltBass5 said:
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.
Click to expand...

What does improvising 'a lot' have to do with it?

Personally, I prefer to be on stage right (right side of the drummer) so my natural stance allows me full view of the entire band without craning my neck to the right. If I were a leftie, I'd be on stage left, I'm pretty sure.

Now, of course this is all subjectives and personal preference as some players feel comfort it watching the high hat from that angle. Some may stand behind the drums etc.

Whatever floats your boat I guess.
 
#66
It's really weird...At one place we play, they have an outdoor patio music area. If we play on the outer, uncovered section, I set up on the stage right side, but if we play on the covered area, I set up on the stage left side. At another place they used to have special events in the covered outside stage, and there I set up on the stage right side. But inside, I set up on the stage left side.

I usually try to make it a point to set up where my guitar neck is out of the way. One time, the singer had set his drink down at the corner of the drum rack leg, and I play a bass with a pointy headstock. I was to his right. Every time he reached down to get his glass, he came back up and impaled himself on the headstock. Like three or four straight times. He said something to me, and I said " I'm not the one who put my drink there!". But sometimes I just roll my gear in and set it up not even thinking about it....

BnB
 
#67
When the stage gives us a choice (as it just as often doesn't) it's usually lead, me, drums, singer, rhythm OR the opposite. I have no preference for drummers one side over the other. As long as I'm near and slightly behind the singer cuz she's a babe :smug: The kick usually travels right between us
 
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#68
GrapeBass said:
What does improvising 'a lot' have to do with it?

Personally, I prefer to be on stage right (right side of the drummer) so my natural stance allows me full view of the entire band without craning my neck to the right. If I were a leftie, I'd be on stage left, I'm pretty sure.

Now, of course this is all subjectives and personal preference as some players feel comfort it watching the high hat from that angle. Some may stand behind the drums etc.

Whatever floats your boat I guess.
Click to expand...

On stage left the Drummer's high hat and snare are on my side and his kick drum foot are visible. This also means that he is tending to be angled towards me most of the time for eye contact and facial cues.

Not to be argumentative, but what does your "natural stance" have to do with anything??
 
#69
BaltBass5 said:
On stage left the Drummer's high hat and snare are on my side and his kick drum foot are visible. This also means that he is tending to be angled towards me most of the time for eye contact and facial cues.

Not to be argumentative, but what does your "natural stance" have to do with anything??
Click to expand...

I understand what your saying, a lot of players have the same argument, and I'm not saying it's 'wrong' (all personal preference). You're also assuming many players play alongside the drummer, which is not always the case or feasible.

LOL No arguments, we're just discussing and all is personal preference. My personal stance positions my head turned slightly towards the neck of the bass, I'm right handed. This allows me to see the whole band in my peripheral vision.
 
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#72
As the singer i got to be out in front where the girls can see me! Like that brass in pocket song -"i need attention -give it to me"!!
stage1.jpg
 
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#73
For some reason I am front and center. I don't sing, I don't even have a mic in front of me, but I guess I am the most animated one of us up there. I move up and back and our drummer is usually in the corner stage left so I can interact with him pretty easily.
 
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