Where do you stand?

[Ed F]

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 stand on the side of the highhat. That way the drummer is facing me (communication)

 

[petefarndon]

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 prefer the right so I can see the bass
drum foot. If I can’t hear the bass drum well because of the room or monitor mix, I can look down to see what the H the drummer is up to.

 

[NZBassman]

I've never really given it any thought as to whereabouts on the stage I stand
in my current band I stand on drummers left and it seems to work well... I'm just a good bassist and will stand wherever I'm told to basically
as long as I can here everything I need to clearly and can see drummer for his 1-2-3-4 count ins then it's all good

 

[Petah-Brooke]

Performing I am a leftist (better ear ?). Rehearsing I like it both ways (anyway I can fit).

 

[Ric4003S]

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.

As primarily a left handed drummer I like my bass player on the left side of the stage, as that is where I am facing, and I think that is my good ear.

 

[OregonMike]

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

As a drummer, I prefer this for reason #2. I like the eye contact and I’d have to crank my neck to look to the right.

 

[Octave Lower]

To the left for same reasons stated in this thread; the drummer is usually looking that way and I can better see the hi-hat/snare/kick pedal better.

 

[texasbassman51]

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 the left is preferred for me. Closer to snare,kick and highhat and the drummers physical pressence

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

,especially when im not singing. The right of the drummer i find is isolating.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

I also prefer left side so I'm closer to the hats & snare, and can see the bass drum pedal if I need to and in case I want to interact with drummer. Also it's easier to make eye contact with the drummer from stage left.
Since I sing backups I'm usually at the front of the stage anyway, but still prefer stage left.

 

[ryco]

I like the hi-hat side if I have a choice.

But in my two present bands w "rightie" drummers, I'm stage right - tom side.
Have played with a lot of "lefties".

 

[DaveDeVille]

... hmmm , guess i'm pretty easy about it ,
i'll set up and play where ever i'm needed ,
sometimes directly in the middle !!

 

[Dave Neal]

I stand to the left of the drummer or in other words , Hi hat ,snare side. However after 40 of years gigging and rehearsing my right ear is way down in the 5 KHZ region and tinnitus is an issue . Young players beware and protect your ears.

 

[JeffChap]

I've done both. 10 years of a crash cymbal in my left ear and another 10 years to the other side with a Marshall in my right ear for 10 years. I now stand in front of drummer.

 

[The Hook 1988]

Unless there's no option, always stage left! Just feels "right"

 

[thisonegoestoeleven]

I stand in whatever space is not taken up by guitarists' giant piles of crap.

 

[BassInTheValley]

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

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

 

[Dirty1]

I prefer the left. I like to keep that visual communication in the rhythm section.

 

[Groovespace]

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

Perferably on the ride cymbal side. Why? I dont hear it always as clearly as I want to on the HH side. Some drummers play amazing paterns on ride.

 

[D-G]

I prefer to be as close to the High-Hat as possible. The High-Hat usually marks some form of the division of the beat and allows me to maintain a better sense of time and meter. I've found that if I can hear that, I lock in tighter with the drums.

 

[zontar]

I prefer to be to the drummer's right--easier for visual communication.
With guitar it can be either side--but I tend to prefer to the right of the drummer as well.
Sometimes someone else is to my left as well, sometimes not.
That, I am not picky about.
As well if I am to the drummer's right I can see others as well.