Where do you stand?

[bcbassman]

I like stage left for a right handed drummer. Easier to seethe bass drum and high hat to lock in with the drummer.
I have stood in front of the drums when there is no stage left- the drummer is in the corner of the stage/room.

I have played to the right when we have to set up that way but I prefer the left,

 

[Dincrest]

In the punk band I played in, I never really thought about that but in looking at old band photos, I was usually on the drummer's left.

In the alt-metal band I played in, the guitarist liked to stand on the drummer's right so I took the left.

So, I guess I've just fallen into stage left is my comfort zone.

 

[2F/2F]

Haven't thought about it much till now...but I have indeed almost always been to the drummer's left.

We did one gig with a backline, and the bass amp was on the other side. It felt weird, for sure. But we had got used to it by the end of the set.

 

[dalkowski]

Drummer's left.

 

[Gustopher]

In the middle, but I am our singer too.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I prefer to be on the hi-hat side, tucked in back because it's much easier to send and receive visual cues from the others musicians from that position. Plus it's so much easier to communicate with the drummer over there.

 

[Hounddog409]

I'm usually on the drummera left. Or right looking at the stage.

So depends on which view you're talking about

 

[lbbc]

Always on the left...so I can lock in with bass drum and snare

 

[Strung_Low]

I love lumpia too!!

 

[C Stone]

End up center stage (vocal duties) but I have always set up left of drummer hats/snare side and best line of sight typically of most drummers...

 

[twinjet]

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 have no preference. I usually ask the drummer where they prefer my amp and sit next to it.

 

[dennis james]

Been many years since I played in a gigging band, but when I did I almost always ended up on the drummers left. I'd wonder about that from time to time over the years. There was no obvious reason why I would prefer that side, it just sort of happened. Must have been some kind of subconscious thing.

 

[basted]

Our drummer prefers me on his left.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

I never really think to much about it. I usually am on the left of the drummer or in the center being that I sing.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

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

Same for me for all the same reasons.

 

[misterCRUSH]

So I said to the left of the drummer in my previous response. I've rethought that. for the last 11 months it's been in front of my amp in the music room....all by myself.

 

[bassbrad]

@Zoffy Dude you are in my spot! But these daze I sit to play, have for quite a while now.

 

[lokikallas]

I prefer to the snare side. I have found it is easier to get the eye of a drummer on the snare side.
In reality, wherever I fit on stage.

 

[Frunobulax]

My brother has been playing drums for over 40 years.
When I started playing bass some 15years ago, his advice to me re: bassist positioning is to stay well away from the high-hats as the frequency they produce can hinder what the bassist needs to hear.
So that's the theory.
Putting this into practice: I was in one band where there was no way any of the guitarists would let me play on the side furtherest away from the high hats.
In other bands I've been in, I'd always adopt his advice.
I found that his advice was correct. The high hats just made it that much more difficult to hear my own rig and what was being played by others.

As for the eye contact reasoning, I suppose there's truth in it but, according to my brother, a drummer "separates" or "individualises" each limb so eye contact, theoretically shouldn't really be an issue.

 

[brianrost]

On the left unless the drummer plays left handed. That way I can see his feet if I need to, plus I can get close enough to talk to him while playing if needed. Not to mention it's closer to the snare drum and farther form the ride cymbal.