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What side of the drummer should the Bass set up??

Thumpinthenight

Thumpinthenight

Apr 13, 2004
272
3
69
New York
www.cravetheband.net
#1
We are a 3-piece, guitar, drums & bass. Guitarist is on the left, of the drummer (facing audience), and I set up on the right of the drummer. The drummer has his set up with the bass drum angled towards me-(he just likes to play that way) , and the high hat to the left side. It works fine, but my guitarist insist, and constantly wines, that it is completely wrong, and that EVERY normal band has the bass to the left of the drummer. I just keep telling him we are not a normal band.. Is there some rule I am not aware of??
 
#2
Hi hat side. We use music stands (army band), so his hi hat and his stand are on the same side, I figure I should be as well. Less head turning.
You and the drummer are the rhythm section and must have the easiest means of communication.
 
#4
I always prefer right side. All I use is kick and snare; mainly. I hate being in the hi hat side I can never see the drummer as easily when I need to make eye contact.

Furthermore, he should worry less about what side he's on and more on his playing. No one in the crowd gives a hoot where you are standing. Sounds more to me like he prefers the right.
 
#7
Whatever works for you. For most of my playing days I've set up on the hi-hat side but joined a band (trio) where the guitar player and drummer had played together a long time and the guitar was on the hi-hat side.. It was a little weird at first but after a while it was fine and I played with them for 3 years like that.
 
#9
I prefer being right in the middle, center stage. But that's just me.

Traditionally, I tend to like stage right (the floor tom side of a right-handed drummer), probably because that's where John Deacon and/or Gene Simmons were while I was wanting to be them.

I've been situated just about everywhere on a stage and it really makes little difference apart from personal preference IMHO.

YMMV, License, tax and title extra, offer void where prohibited, some rights reserved.
 
#14
I've never heard of any rule. All comes down to preferences. Bassists I've played with have played on either side of me while drumming. As others have said, the only thing that really matters is that you can easily communicate with the drummer.
 
#16
I think your guitarist is probably just sick of the snare crack and wants the other side. Under normal circumstances the lead singer should be center stage or stage left(hi-hat side) as these are theatrically considered the stronger sides(the predominantly right-handed audience is typically drawn center or to their right, which is stage left). Other than that it is strictly personal preference
 
#18
Hi hat side, if I get a choice. I can ease right up in there and have a word if need be...

something like, "here's the bridge, stops coming up, or simmer down there, big guy it's a ballad.."

2nd consideration is well away from any cymbals on ear level stands.

Just for easier use, stage directions are facing the audience, so downstage left, is out at the front on the audience's right. Upstage is the backline. That's where the term "upstaged" comes from: somebody cutting up in the back line. Bass players generally get fired for that kind of thing.

Comes down to what ever side you like and if its worth squabbling about it.
 

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