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Where do you stand?

#261
My designated space is Left of the Drummer - front of stage... For a couple of reasons.
1) Mic Duty
2) Keep the Bass Headstock away from the Lead Guitarist's head. As I move frequently around the stage area & up/down on the Drum Riser.
I have no problem hearing the drummer from any place on stage and his monitor has a lot of my Bass coming through it.
IMG_6415a.jpg
 
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#262
One alternate example - Eddie Van Halen set up on the snare drum side of the drummer. He could see and hear his brother more easily. This is normally the bass player's spot because of the snare and visibility. In an attempt to play as closely as possible with the drummer to tighten the rhythm section, standing on the snare/high hat side of the drum kit allows you to not only hear (I know, snare drums are often times too loud) the snare but also see the drummer to anticipate his playing.
 
#263
Zoffy said:
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 am Right handed and being all the way to the right seems like Home to Me...
 
#264
Zoffy said:
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
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Right is best cuz it's easier to make eye contact with drummer over your left shoulder (unless you are left handed of course)
 
#266
If I have a choice I always want to be left of the drummer. I need to hear the HH and on most pick up gigs with charts I want to make eye contact with the drummer and typically drummers music stands are right above where their HH sits. This way if one/both of us needs to course correct the band or end the tune we do it together!
 
#268
Zoffy said:
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 respect all replies you're gonna get in advance. I've been all over the stage/area and really have no preference. I usually let the little girls (facetiously said...LOL) set up their guitars keys etc...then I set up where ever. I found that "picking" one spot limits you. Limits you with making eye contact here or there with the audience as well as your players. How many time have you seen a player looking for quarters? (you know what I mean...looking down all the time or watching their fretboard). Be flexible and don't stay in one place...yer gonna grow moss and stay in your rut. I've even set up (one of my many rigs) where I had a cabinet on either side of the drums, or if the girls got their earlier than me, I would be on the ends. Now, also remember, and I have BEATEN my guys up MANY times about being too loud...YES...TOOO LOUD...there, I said it...if you can't here the other end of the stage/area, YOU'RE TOO loud and vice versa. There were many times I have played with a 200 Trace Elliot 15 combo and I kept turning it up till it was at 11....I kept telling them...TOO LOUD. The bar was low ceiling, wood floors and walls...the owner even told us a couple times to turn down...we were cut short and left with hardly any pay. Told my guys..."I told you so" and don't book me for anything until you all turn down. Well...I think i went off the path a bit? ya think? LOL. But leave yourself open on where you set up and keep changing it around IMHO. Rock on!
 
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#271
Budbear said:
This.
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What about the left handed drummer? Oh..I got it...closest to the high hat..LOL. But seriously, how loud are we playing where you can't here the (high end) hi-hat? And, if you're in front of the drummer, you can't see the bass pedal. I share "front" space and NEVER see the drummer. And when I can see the drummer, the front bass skin pops with his foot, or if no head, then the kick side head shows. Chose not to limit yourself by having to "see" the music. Feel it, play with your eyes closed (how do blind people do it?), trust me, it'll make you that much tighter. Rock on!
 
#276
I’ve always stood on the drummer’s right, probably since the first guys I played with the guitar player was on the left on stage. Interestingly enough, when we practiced I would be on the other side in the basement. Go figure.
I actually prefer playing on the other side to be closer to the high hat to hear the beat a little better, but don’t like having my bass neck and headstock against a wall, or when playing in a corner of a small joint, in the walkway to the bathroom. Luckily I’ve been playing with the same guys on/off for 20+ years, so we kinda have the “everyone knows what everyone else is doing because we’ve been doing it for so long” thing going for us
 
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#278
Volker Kirstein said:
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
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This.
In really tight quarters I pivot and hang the headstock over the front of the stage. Yeah, played on a stage once that was maybe 8’ x 8’.
 
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#280
B5A85555-77DA-4978-92C2-A63CE41C35AF.jpeg
I prefer the left side of the drummer for eye contact purposes. I’m always out front w/ my current band, due to singing lead vocals. I’m presently to the the right @ my church, due to stage setup. I’ve decided that’s not a big deal..... I mostly watch the drummer’s often busy kick pedal
 
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