Where do you stand?

[Susan Welsh]

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?

View attachment 4158413

 

[Lesfunk]

I prefer to keep as far away from the drummer as possible.
I don't want to get blasted with cymbals all night.
I do want to keep my stage volume down and still be able to hear

 

[Useless Human]

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

And you can hear the snare and high-hat better which helps with playing in the pocket.

 

[fdr1031]

Some of it may be if you're right ear or left ear dominant (it's actually a thing)....you can find out what side you're dominant by determining -if you where trying to listen to a conversation in another room - what ear would you press up against a wall or what ear you'd put a cup up against...doesn't matter if you're right or left handed as it doesn't always correlate.

 

[countmattula]

I stand on the hi-hat side (which is also closer to the snare, and kick actually). Make sure you got good ear plugs on!

 

[FenderBass71]

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?

View attachment 4158413

I have stood to the left since my first band in 1963. For me me, the reason is simple. The bass has a long neck and I stayed on the left to avoid smacking anyone.

 

[Bengal1]

Maybe to make this a clearer subject. As opposed to saying right or left side of the drummer because that depends from your perspective view. I am reading here that the majority of the players on this thread play on the "High Hat" side of the drummer. Which is.. I've been told is the correct side.

 

[Peter Hess]

I always stood to the right because if you'd seen some of the drummers I've played with you'd be glad they faced left.

 

[Ed_in_NE_Ohio]

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?

View attachment 4158413

Far stage left (so, to the right of everyone else). Always. Even at rehearsal.
For years this meant that I had the drummer, and three insanely loud guitarists to my left.
Hence the tinnitus in my left ear.

 

[Susan Welsh]

Yes, always to the right of the drummer and "color" (keyboard & guitars & ??) on the left. Not exactly sure why. Beautiful bass!

 

[Mike0505]

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?
It depends on the drummer. I've spent lots of time playing with lefty drummers. Drummers mostly face slightly towards their hi hat. With a lefty drummer I try to stay to their right. With a righty drummer, I try to stay to their left. I find it better for eye contact.


View attachment 4158413

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?

View attachment 4158413

 

[jumpinin]

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.

Same, I prefer to be on the left so I'm close to the hi-hat

 

[PGold]

I've always positioned to the left of the drummer as it's nearer his snare and high hat. Easier to see and communicate if needed. I know the drummer prefers it that way as well. In smaller venues, I also angle my amp towards him a bit as an extra monitor.

 

[zon5string]

I prefer stage left. Won't bonk anybody with my headstock.

 

[donkeydon]

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?

View attachment 4158413

The stage plot of professionals is to have the bass player on the high-hat side of the drummer. This allows easy communication between the rhythm section, keeps your headstock clear of hitting cymbals, and prevents deafening cymbal wash.

 

[mike-matthews]

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.

Only if you're drummer happens to be right-handed.

 

[basshawk]

I usually set up on the high-hat side of the drummer so that I can catch the sub-divisions. Also so I don't hit his cymbals with my bass depending on how tight the stage is.

 

[Merlo79]

Drummer's left, to hear the hi-hat.

 

[borderbass]

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?

View attachment 4158413

Always to the right. That gives Cliff his quickest path to the gents.

 

[Raw-dogg]

I prefer to keep as far away from the drummer as possible.
I don't want to get blasted with cymbals all night.
I do want to keep my stage volume down and still be able to hear

I've always stood to my drummers left. Unless there's a backline set up differently. Probably because Bruce Foxton was always on the left