Where do you stand?

[fretlessbass]

Always on the high-hat side, and as far away from loud guitars/keys as possible!

 

[knumbskull]

My singer/guitarist is set in his ways & really likes going stage right, so i’m usually on the left unless the stage is set otherwise (on shared gear nights) & it would be a pain to reset.

 

[west al]

The right side worked well Bruce, and Pappalardi. Good enough for me as well.

 

[DTRN]

Stage right

 

[Tall Low End]

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

 

[Constantine]

I like to be on the side of the drummer where their hi-hat is. Helps me with the timing.

 

[Bass Blender]

I stand where I’m told.

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

 

[Turtle71]

I'm always on the high hat side, all of the drummers I've ever played with were right handed, until my last drummer, he was a lefty, so it actually took me a bit to adjust to playing on the "wrong side" of the stage...

 

[Teacher56]

I'm on the left most of the time but I've spent time on both sides. Of course, when fronting the band... that's pretty much always in front of the drummer.

 

[JasonicNH]

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.

Totally agree. The visual is critical, and having the hi hat closer helps to ensure locking in the groove.

 

[Tall Low End]

I’m assuming this post was uploaded pre-pandemic? Otherwise, playing a party unmasked was an extremely unwise and selfish thing to do, no matter how much we all want to get back to playing live.
Assuming it was pre-pandemic, which side of the drummer you play on is a matter of choice, but I always prefer to play on the drummer’s hi-hat side whenever possible. It’s much easier to lock in, groove, and have fun both visually and sound-wise, in my opinion.

 

[T-BirdBassist89]

Never thought of it but I'm more comfortable jamming to the right as.

 

[kevbassman]

I always am on the high hat side of the drummer. Stage Right / left on stage.

 

[Papalampraina]

Funny question. I always sit on the left side of the drummer and I have my amp on my left side. The reason for that is my because of my eardrums. I've broken both of them twice, but the right one has permanent frequency loss, in the low region (bass player who can't hear bass properly). So, I put all the band on my right, cause my ear filters excessive noise, and I have my amp on my left so I can hear my bass. Also, it is easier to look and talk to the drummer, too many cymbals on his right side.

 

[pfern]

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.

Yes, me too. Seeing the drummer's kick foot makes a difference for me.

 

[dspellman]

I've always stood (stage left/audience right) to the drummer. For 2 reasons:

1. It keeps my headstock out of the cymbals

My best bass has one of those old Jackson-esque "tilted pointy" headstocks.
I'm seconding the "keeping it out of the cymbals" sentiment.

 

[StringThing]

I've heard and believe that you should stand on the high at side of the drummer. The High hat is used to keep time. Drummers tend to face a bit towards their High hats too. That giant bass neck is facing away from everyone too.

Conversely, I do find it much easier to visually interact with my fretboard and the drummer if I'm on their right.

So some pros and cons unless one of you is a lefty. I do know they hate it when your right in front of them LOL... and I have soooo many pictures of my headstock covering the drummers face. Kinda a running joke at this point.

 

[Walk The Dogs]

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?
View attachment 4158413

Me. I always prefer to set up on the drummer's left so I can hear the hi hat and snare better. There's a sweet spot to the left and slightly behind the drummer where you hear a fairly balanced mix of hi hat, snare and kick, and you don't redline your hearing with crash cymbals. It's also easier to get the drummer's attention on the left.

 

[Brian Birch]

I always play to the drummer's left (right as viewed from the audience, assuming there is an audience). On the one occasion I tried playing on the other side I spent the whole gig hitting the cymbals every time I turned to speak to the drummer. It also seems to work better when attempting the obligatory drum and bass solo as you can almost face each other - assuming he's not left handed. If there's lots of space on stage I suppose either side is workable but if its a tight setup then definitely drummer's left.

 

[Loring]

Stage right for me - good enough for JPJ and Geezer- good enough for me. Bass necks are long and it looks more balanced on the stage this way. Also I tend not to make eyes with the drummer - I prefer to engage the audience so the high hat visibility thing is a non-issue.