Where do you stand?

[Zoffy]

Tonight my band played a party and it occurred to me that I have just always fallen in on the right side of the drummer. I've noticed that bass players generally, but not always, hang out to the right of the drums. Anyone hang out on the left? And would there be any reasons regarding acoustics or sound that I am overlooking as a reason to favor the bass on one side or the other?

 

[since197three]

To the right of the drummer is my comfort zone. Never really thought about it until now but that's where bass rigs are usually setup when there is a backline or designated bass staging area when I've played.

 

[fourstringdrums]

The bass player in my band is on the left.

 

[TerenceE]

I try to stand in font of the drummer as much as possible so no one has to look at him

 

[BassAdder27]

I prefer the right side so you are naturally looking across to the drummer although a lot of drummers tend to look across to the left side in favour of the snare drum etc

In tight venues the right side gives you more bass guitar neck room

 

[Volker Kirstein]

Tonight my band played a party and it occurred to me that I have just always fallen in on the right side of the drummer. I've noticed that bass players generally, but not always, hang out to the right of the drums. Anyone hang out on the left? And would there be any reasons regarding acoustics or sound that I am overlooking as a reason to favor the bass on one side or the other?

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I've always stood (stage left/audience right) to the drummer. For 2 reasons:

1. It keeps my headstock out of the cymbals
2. Every drummer I've ever played with looks left when zoning

 

[smeet]

Definitely left of the drummer if possible. It’s the closest to the high hat and snare and I can see the kick foot better, so I feel it makes me tighter because I can key in better visually.

 

[BBQV]

I’m always on the right side of the drummer but most of my bass playing friends say it’s wrong. The only reason I’ve heard is that they want to hear the hi-hat.
Keeping my headstock out of the cymbals is actually a great reason to stand to the left on a crowded stage!

 

[BlueTalon]

I'll play anywhere, but I prefer to be stage left. Partly because most of the drummers I've played with are right handed and play with their high hat to their left, making it easier to make eye contact with them; and partly because I'm just used to it. It's like which side of the bed you sleep on -- you don't need a reason for preferring one side or the other, but you typically prefer one side because you're just a little more comfortable there.

 

[Willie5String]

Left side for right handed drummers, left side for left handed drummers playing acoustic kits. You want to be closer to the snare and high hat.

Doesn’t matter for drummers that are playing electric kits.

 

[Kendescending]

I'm always on the drummer's right hand side as it makes it easier to intentionally hit the cymbals with my bass or choke his cymbals after he hits them. We like to goof around on stage when playing. Our drummer hits very hard, so there's no need to stand closer to his snare and hihat.

 

[danbones]

ahhhhh, i’ve always been front and center because of vocal duties. i guess i’ve been to the right of the drummer for the few bands I’ve gigged with where i wasn’t also the singer, but that was almost ten years ago. Thanks to this thread I’m learning that I’ve been missing out!

 

[Anastasios1964]

Tonight my band played a party and it occurred to me that I have just always fallen in on the right side of the drummer. I've noticed that bass players generally, but not always, hang out to the right of the drums. Anyone hang out on the left? And would there be any reasons regarding acoustics or sound that I am overlooking as a reason to favor the bass on one side or the other?

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If you are a left hand you stand to the left, if right hand to the right. Its more convenient for keeping an eye contact with your drummer. Just make sure your cabs are right behind you though.

 

[Todd Hamby]

Always left for me. Oddly enough I’ve played with lots of left handed drummers set up righty

 

[jamro217]

Usually in line behind the woman who bought the only item in the store without a price tag on it and in front of the bratty kid taking a tantrum... Oh, at a gig. To the left of the drummer where I can see the best. It's good to have a guitar's neck facing you for reference, too.

 

[iamoldschool]

Left. Always left. Right handed drummer looks left and I can see and hear the hi hat and snare better. My job is to lock in with him. I've had to be on the right a time or two and it felt totally unnatural. YMMV

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Tonight my band played a party and it occurred to me that I have just always fallen in on the right side of the drummer. I've noticed that bass players generally, but not always, hang out to the right of the drums. Anyone hang out on the left? And would there be any reasons regarding acoustics or sound that I am overlooking as a reason to favor the bass on one side or the other?

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I stand stage left wherever whichever Neanderthal barbarian sets up their hitting toys.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I'm the opposite, stage left works better for me as right handed drummers tend to be facing more to their left. Bass rigs are mostly located stage left in most venues because of that reason.

 

[mcnach]

Tonight my band played a party and it occurred to me that I have just always fallen in on the right side of the drummer. I've noticed that bass players generally, but not always, hang out to the right of the drums. Anyone hang out on the left? And would there be any reasons regarding acoustics or sound that I am overlooking as a reason to favor the bass on one side or the other?

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I'd say most sit to the LEFT of the drummer, but it's pretty mixed.
I prefer the left, close to the hi-hats, but whatever works for you.

 

[Al T.]

Being a left-wing commie punk, I favor the left.