Left side of drummer... Most righty drummers look to the left so it's better for eye contact. Also keeps my headstock out of the cymbals. The exception would be if the piano player insists on being to the left of the drummer, then I'd set up on opposite side to help balance low end.
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Where do you stand?
- Thread starter Zoffy
- Start date
Definitely to the drummer's left. Easier to lock in and I can grab a spare stick and smash a few cymbals during songs with long intros without bass. My band also always keeps the bass and rhythm guitar amps together, with the lead on the other side of the drummer. Not sure if that's the best setup, but it sounds good enough.
I am comfortable on either side of the drummer but, prefer to be on the left (or where the hi-hat is). I get a lot of ghost note cues from the hi-hat. I also like to be able to see the drummers' kick drum foot. Often, unless the drums are really well monitored, you can't hear the kick drum because it's on the floor pointing 'not' at the bass player.
Hey Zof, way back in the 80's, I attended a summer session at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. I learned alot while I was there, even something regarding your question. I learned that alot of pros like to take the side that the hi hat is on so they can hear 16th notes (or what ever is being played for each song). This helps them lock in on the the groove better. This makes a difference depending on if your drummer is a lefty or rightly. Based on your picture, I see the hi hats are to his left side so I'm guessing he is a righty which is the side I would typically take.
Conventional wisdom has it to stand on the hi-hat side, for time keeping. As an added nod to that, I make sure my cabinet is slightly behind or angled toward the drummer, so they can hear me as well.
To my drummers' (multiple bands) left, and just ahead of the kick a little, with my cab back parallel to the drummer's throne and slightly to my right...I'm deaf on my left side so I need to have the hat in my right ear, but not directly in my right ear. Then I ask for a little bleed from the rhythem guitarist, all of the vocal, and none of the lead, in my monitor (which is in front of my right foot just ahead of my mic stand). Probably more information than was warranted here...
Interesting how everyone automatically seems assume bass players should be back-row, and how many bass players here apparently watch the drummer to keep time. I prefer being in the front row, not least because the acoustics are better, and I dont' think anyone with good time sense should need to look at the drummer to keep good time. At most I just glance at him during intros/outtros to keep them tight.
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I always prefer being near the Hi-Hat. I feel the kick better and love what good drummers can do with the hi-hat. It's where I love to stand.
I usually stand to the left mostly because I'm blind in my left eye.
Being left handed I have to be careful not hit cymbals.
Also prefer being I left of the stage so I can see everyone.
I struggle if I'm on the right side mostly because the horn section is unpredictable at times and seeing their body language helps me to determine what they might choose to do - solos etc. Sometimes it's like they're having a committee meeting trying to remember a a song ending!
Being left handed I have to be careful not hit cymbals.
Also prefer being I left of the stage so I can see everyone.
I struggle if I'm on the right side mostly because the horn section is unpredictable at times and seeing their body language helps me to determine what they might choose to do - solos etc. Sometimes it's like they're having a committee meeting trying to remember a a song ending!
I’m right handed, so the head stock is facing stage left. I want that side away from cymbals. I also find it easier to communicate with the drummer, which is better for rock / dance sets as we drive the rhythm. For jazz or classics, I’m usually farther from the drums, so it matters less.
Depending on the band, I've stood on either side. I'm pretty agnostic about it. My last band had a lefty lead guitarist, so for space purposes he stood far right, rhythm guitar in the middle, and me on stage left. You can see it in my current profile pic.
This also came in handy, as from my angle I could see his neck. If he threw a curveball at me (a song I didn't know, which probably happened on average almost once a night), I could look at his hand and quickly pick up the chord changes.
Peter
This also came in handy, as from my angle I could see his neck. If he threw a curveball at me (a song I didn't know, which probably happened on average almost once a night), I could look at his hand and quickly pick up the chord changes.
Peter
Typically on the right (ride) side of a drummer, but I have a buddy who is a big Stewart Copeland fan and spends so much time on his hi-hat work, that I find I prefer to stay on his hi-hat side.
To the drummer's right, looking across to guitar. No real reason. Just comfortable.
Also, from drummer's right I can see fretboard, drummer and guitar without much eye movement
I’ve though about this a lot over the years.
Standing right has always felt better and the most natural to me.
Standing left doesn’t feel as natural but I get a better line of sight to the kick/snare and eye contact with the drummer. I’m also less likely to swing my bass head into the ride cymbal when we’re really getting down.
If left is an option, I take it, because it “makes sense” but will enjoy the occasional setups that only allow me to stand on the right due to space or stage layout requirements/constraints.
Standing right has always felt better and the most natural to me.
Standing left doesn’t feel as natural but I get a better line of sight to the kick/snare and eye contact with the drummer. I’m also less likely to swing my bass head into the ride cymbal when we’re really getting down.
If left is an option, I take it, because it “makes sense” but will enjoy the occasional setups that only allow me to stand on the right due to space or stage layout requirements/constraints.
I’m on the drummer’s left in my band but it’s only because my guitar player prefers to be on the other side. It doesn’t really make any difference to me.
