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where should bassist stand (on stage)

#21
My current band is a four piece: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys/vocals. The Drummer is obviously in back center, and the vocalist/keyboardist is in the front center. The good thing about the guitarist in this band is that he's left handed. We usually arrange ourselves so that our necks are facing in. This is good for small stages. Also, it puts me to the stage-right of the drummer, which I prefer. Being stage-right, and right handed, it's a little easier for me to face the rest of my band, particularly the drummer.
 
#22
We don't use in-ears so once we're all playing I try and find the spot on stage that sounds especially good (i.e., lots of drums, minimal guitars and enough of my bass but not ridiculous)... and that's where I hang out most of the time. It's also important you can see the drummer and the singer (so you're ready when he/she decides to come in sooner or later than expected).
 
#23
not_jason said:
My current band is a four piece: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys/vocals. The Drummer is obviously in back center, and the vocalist/keyboardist is in the front center. The good thing about the guitarist in this band is that he's left handed. We usually arrange ourselves so that our necks are facing in.
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I've always thought this looks cool.

Also, it puts me to the stage-right of the drummer, which I prefer. Being stage-right, and right handed, it's a little easier for me to face the rest of my band, particularly the drummer.
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I've done this a few times and always seem to wind up crashing into the ride cymbal at one point or another. A couple of gouges out of my headstock later, I am pretty adamant now about keeping left-of-drummer unless there is plenty of room on stage.
 
#24
MysticMichael said:
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.
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This is what I prefer and for the same reasons. It also makes it easier for me and the drummer to make fun of everybody else in the band while we play.
 
#28
In a group format I like my amp & me right up against the hi hat. The rest of the group on the other side of the drummer. Why? The ride drives me nuts & I get more of the drummers vibe from the hi hat. Also since bass is louder at the back of the room I could play at a lower volume & let the PA do the work. It just seems to keep the volume wars down to a min.
 
#29
it seems the predominant response is stage left (house right, i.e. audience's right), but most of the bands i've seen live, both local and pro, have the bassist stage right (house left). i've usually been stage left, but it's usually 'cause that was the easiest way to set up. it wasn't premeditated at first, then just became habit.
 
#31
Another reason I've gravitated to stage left is, there have been times I have not been able to hear the kick drum and had to actually watch the beater to lock in. Generally if you are to the right of a right handed drummer he has one or two floor toms plus a bunch of cymbal hardware on that side and it blocks the view of his foot.
 
#32
I don`t care which side I`m on as long as I`m right beside the drummer (or at least my amp is). I`ve noticed that all good drummers want me by them as well. All the bad ones seem to want the guitars by them.........
 
#33
I've occupied both sides at different times. I did find that being on the hi-hat side of the drummer made more sense.

I did see Yngwie once and he had the drummer, keyboard player, bass player and singer all tucked into the left side of the stage so he could occupy the space in front of his wall of amps which took up the majority of the stage.
 
#34
I've usually been to the left of the drummer. No problems at all.

BTW, 2 objects can indeed occupy the same space/time at the same time, as long as you apply quantum physics to it...but then you have to be at the level of quantum-sized "smallness" for it to apply. This, I think, saves us from any bassist who wants to sit in the drummer's lap (which would, of course, be suspect in its own right).
 
#36
Gubna said:
I've occupied both sides at different times. I did find that being on the hi-hat side of the drummer made more sense.

I did see Yngwie once and he had the drummer, keyboard player, bass player and singer all tucked into the left side of the stage so he could occupy the space in front of his wall of amps which took up the majority of the stage.
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... and the majority of the mix, as well.
 
#37
MysticMichael said:
Being right handed, I naturally prefer playing stage left, so that the headstock of my instrument points away from the drum kit
Click to expand...

Years ago I did a gig at a rock club where the other band on the bill was borrowing our drumkit & bass rig. I had already set up my amp on the drummer's left, and the bass player from the other band comes up to me and says "You should set up on the other side, so that the neck is towards the drummer; that way you can see your fretting hand while you maintain eye contact with the drummer."

I replied "You should learn how to play bass without looking at your hand."
 

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