where should bassist stand (on stage)

[tribus]

usually I see bassist on the left side of stage, wonder if that is the traditional "rock band setting"

 

[southshoreconor]

i usually go with the snare/high hat side of the drum kit. usually with a right handed drummer. so stage left.

 

[Mystic Michael]

usually I see bassist on the left side of stage, wonder if that is the traditional "rock band setting"

I'm not aware of any "should" or "tradition" to this. It's really a matter of personal preference and convenience for the band as a whole.

Being right handed, I naturally prefer playing stage left, so that the headstock of my instrument points away from the drum kit (and especially the cymbals). And so I can establish eye contact with the drummer much more easily.

This topic has been hashed and rehashed here many times before...

MM

 

[MNAirHead]

Right side of the drummer.. everyone else on the other side or in front.

 

[derridiandrift]

Right in the middle of the stage, on top of the vocal monitors ;-)

I switch it up depending on the stage. I preferred the hi-hat side of the drum kit for many years, but I really don't have a preference any more.

I once had a lead guitar player complain because I had set up my bass rig "right where where Joe Perry would put his guitar amps in Aerosmith." The guy was serious; his problems ran deep. So please don't ever tell a band that you must stand on stage left 'cause that's where Geddy stands ;-)

 

[Joetheschmoe]

I play in a three piece, So I have a little more room than most. Also, I don't stand still. So, when we set up, I usually map it out into three sections front to back. Singer/Guitarist up front on the mic, Me in the middle, so I can come to the front for solos, or the occasional backup, and then drummer in the back. I tend to not stand in between the two though, I want everyone to be in the spotlight.

 

[jaywa]

I once had a lead guitar player complain because I had set up my bass rig "right where where Joe Perry would put his guitar amps in Aerosmith."

Good grief. Hence the term, "guitard".

There is definitely something to be said for standing in close proximity to the drummer, especially for younger bassists who might not have played much with drummers before. I'll never forget the first time I saw the worship band at the church I now play at, many years ago... they had a stage that was at least 50 feet wide and the bass amp was WAY over stage right and the drum kit was WAY over stage left... and no monitors. The worship leader said, "I don't know why but our bass player and drummer have a hard time playing together"... geee, d'ya THINK?! That was one of the first things that got changed when I started playing with them.

 

[makanudo]

EVERYWHERE (ryan martinie, jason newstead <3)

 

[SwamiRob]

My favourite place to stand is in the crowd

 

[s_mcsleazy]

i like to be to the right of the drummer but 90% of the time im playing bass in the crowd

and ive also been on one fans sholders

twas scary considering the combined hight of us was about 10ft

 

[rodl2005]

I don't really give a toss!!! It's the OTHER guys in bands that usually have the beefs :-()

But I spose on the HI-HAT side'd be preferred. JPJ used to be on stage right- & he seemed to do OK ;-)

 

[stratovani]

I'd rather stand on the drummer's left. I wouldn't want to skull anyone with that big-ass Fender headstock!

 

[Surly]

My favourite place to stand is in the crowd

yes

 

[Phalex]

I think one of the basic laws of physics is that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time, so the best place to stand would be a space that isn't being occupied by something else.

(I actually tested this out once with a wall and a bottle of tequila, and I gotta say, it's pretty valid.)

 

[CBgaragebassist]

I'm blind in my right eye so i stand on the right of the stage(left from audience perspective) so i can see evrything with my left eye.

 

[mr.redpants]

I stand in the best place to stay locked in w/ the drummer - sometimes in front (you can feel the air coming from the kick drum) sometimes stage L so I can look across him and sense when he's hitting the snare AND then I can see the vocalists.

Some guitarists don't get the 'play together' concept.

 

[Blueszilla]

I think one of the basic laws of physics is that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time, so the best place to stand would be a space that isn't being occupied by something else.

(I actually tested this out once with a wall and a bottle of tequila, and I gotta say, it's pretty valid.)

You gotta like a guy who appreciates the practical side of science.

I'm with southshoreconor, I like being next to the high hat/snare side of the drummer, but as others have said I don't know of any traditions, so maybe the best place is anywhere you like!

 

[canadian_man_44]

Right behind the center mike. The bass player has to be the lead singer as well....right?

 

[Sakuraba]

Either side is fine by me, and I can't be in the middle because I play in a three piece

 

[bassplayer8953]

I have a guitarist who requires "all that" space on 1 side of the stage for his amp, back up guitars, acoustic on a stand, pedalboard, yadda, yadda, yadda...

On the other side of the stage is a multi-keyboardist who uses 4 keyboards on 2 stands, so he takes up his share of space also.

I usually wind up up front with the singer (I sing back-up, so not totally out of place), my amp is at the drummers elbow (where he wants it) and I'm wireless, so I basically hang out at whatever spot on the stage I feel like, while trying to stay out of everybody else's way. Being wireless helps...immensely.