Where do YOU like to stand on stage and why?

[DaveParker39]

I'm usually vaguely to the right of our drummer, in the middleish. I do the most physical moving about on stage so I get the most space. Our guitarists are stage left and stage right, singer is middle left, my mic is middle right, but I move about behind.

 

[StereoPlayer]

On my feet.

seriously, I like to be by the hi-hat side. As an added note: I liked @LBS-bass suggestion as to no one on my left side. More room for bass neck to move a bit. But…my new band members are baffled by this…

I will play wherever they want me too.

edit: I didn’t vote…too confusing.

 

[Winston H]

Stage left (house right) / centre-left if 2 guitarists. I like to stay in close for the hats, they are my go-to timing reference. Having said that, I've just invested in IEMs, so that may free me up a bit more.

 

[Dincrest]

I like standing on the drummer's left, by their left hand. This way I can easily face them if needed and with my bass neck headstock pointed towards the crowd (I'm right handed), I can look at the crowd while looking at the neck. Best of all worlds.

 

[Stewie]

My favorite drummer is right handed, but his ride is above the rack Tom and high hat. His crash is behind and to the right of his head. By standing to his right we have a great view of each other. This is important as we each constantly try to hold a straight, disinterested face while trying to make the other laugh, or at least crack a grin.
I play upright with cheat dots on the side of the neck. I can glance at them and keep an eye on the Harp/lead vocalist to catch the hand signals and scowl at his lyrical errors

 

[tminus10]

On the side of the high hat. Reason is obvious

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I prefer to stand on stage right (to the right of the drummer) on stage because, I feel, I get a better perspective view of the whole band for visual cues. It's also more natural for me to have my head positioned towards the neck of my bass (RH player).

I've noticed that a many British or European players also stand on stage right (to the right of the drummer) but American (North American) seem to favor stage left (to the left of the drummer) citing that they are on the side of the high hat or so that they can see the bass drum.

Interested in others opinions and reasons, there are no correct answers.

I stand next to the snare and hihat. Depending on the drummer, it could be either side.

 

[-Stingray]

The poll choices are dumb......just sayin'.

That said, I prefer to be on the hi-hat side.......but the stages we play on are sometimes small and we are a 5 piece band, so sometimes I just gotta stand where there is room.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I prefer to stand on stage right (to the right of the drummer) on stage because, I feel, I get a better perspective view of the whole band for visual cues. It's also more natural for me to have my head positioned towards the neck of my bass (RH player).

I've noticed that a many British or European players also stand on stage right (to the right of the drummer) but American (North American) seem to favor stage left (to the left of the drummer) citing that they are on the side of the high hat or so that they can see the bass drum.

Interested in others opinions and reasons, there are no correct answers.

My position on stage is a function of the stage and the band I'm playing with.

With a Big Band, the band leader almost always dictates my position on stage.

With a jazz combo, I like to position myself where I can easily make eye contact with the pianist and drummer - usually in a triangle of some sort, similar to Oscar Peterson's trios.

With rock and blues bands I prefer an arrangement that provides easy eye contact with the drummer and enables me to make verbal and eye contact with whoever is playing the chords, setting tempos, and singing vocals. I virtually never ask to position myself next to a drummer in order to hear them better; I've never had any difficulty hearing a drummer, anywhere on stage, and standing right next to a drummers for 50-odd years has wreaked havoc on my hearing.

 

[MVE]

If there is a lot of improv, I prefer stage right, as I find it easier to follow chords by watching the RG’s hands.

If its well rehearsed material, I couldn’t care less.

 

[amoodymule]

As long as I can kinda see his foot, or the pedal action, one way or the other.
I don't sing any in this band, so staying back by the drums is good with me

 

[Andy Marshman]

When joining the band, I asked the drummer which side he would prefer me to be on. We get visual cues from each other. It didn't matter to me, but he asked if I would be on his left side (so, stage right).

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Stage right, left of the drummer. This way there’s no risk of hitting the cymbals with the neck when/if stagespace is minimal

Snagglepuss: "Stage Right". I want to see as much of the band as possible and still be able to look at my neck. I can hear the bass drum pretty well, and I can see the high hat.

Most drummer generally like the bassist to their left as it is better to make eye contact. I had a drummer I worked with for about 8 year set his kit 15 degrees off perpendicular to the stage front to his left. This made it impossible for eye contact with me stage right, so I switched sides for the good of the team. This guy is a two time Emmy award winning sound engineer, never did explain why. Good player too and one heck of a guy. Loved working with him.

 

[mizedog]

I usually want to be where I can see the guitarist’s chording hand. I can hear the drummer everywhere.

This. I play around guitarists who make it hard find the One, and who start noodling to remember how the next song goes. Then, when he gets it, he just starts in. Drives me crazy. I like to see his fingering hand to understand where he's at in the song.
This is also why my laft ear is shot, and my bass headstock have little grooves I them from hitting the crash.
When I'm playing in a group that knows the songs down pat, I'll stand away from the crash.
"Sorry. What did you say? Oh, that's my bad ear.."

 

[GrapeBass]

Stage left, like Entwistle.

The poll choices are confusing.

yeah, sorry about that, I couldn't edit the choices or delete the poll

 

[Killing Floor]

All the options in the poll are hideouts? Except Carrots so it is a good poll.

I’ve always stood front stage at or near center because of being in the band. The drummers I’ve played with mostly bang on things with sticks so I never lacked hearing them. And making eyes over the audience is more important than making eyes at the drummer. Especially since they have sticks as I mentioned earlier so I can always hear them. In sessions you can hide in an under lit corner, that’s totally cool. But bassists, don’t complain about keyboards playing your part or pop producers using sequencers if you’re gonna act like you’re not supposed to be on stage.
ps, come at me bro
pps Jaco never pretended to not be on stage during a gig

 

[waynobass]

Stage left, like Entwistle.

The poll choices are confusing.

Entwistle stood stage right. Yes, it's confusing.

 

[oren]

If it’s a rock/blues/pop music situation I prefer to be on the hi hat side of the kit, so I can tuck on close to the drummer and don’t have the cymbal in my ear all night. If it’s a jazz gig I prefer bass in the middle, drums on either side and chordal instrument on the opposite side.

 

[jnewmark]

Either side of the drummer, but close to.

 

[BOOG]

I prefer to stand on stage right (to the right of the drummer) on stage because, I feel, I get a better perspective view of the whole band for visual cues. It's also more natural for me to have my head positioned towards the neck of my bass (RH player).

I've noticed that a many British or European players also stand on stage right (to the right of the drummer) but American (North American) seem to favor stage left (to the left of the drummer) citing that they are on the side of the high hat or so that they can see the bass drum.

Interested in others opinions and reasons, there are no correct answers.

Prefer same as you for the reasons that you noted.
Now, I have another reason. It’s MAR’ICAN