Stage left or tage right. Who cares ?

[BILL POSTERS]

How many of you actually care whether the drummer is on your left, or on your right. When I first started I used to insist that he was on my right for ages, just being a bit pretentious really. But for the last about a hundred years I havent really cared either way.

I played with the drummer on my left last week for the first time in a while, and to be honest, it does seem to make a difference. Just cant quite describe why.

[uncle psychosis]

I don't care where I am relative to the drummer, but the guitarist in my band is left handed, so I prefer to be on his left so that we don't clash headstocks.

[Leen2112]

It's just like bed for me, I have to be on the same side wherever I play......It is a bit weird.

[discreet]

I insist on having the drummer on my right, because I like to hear what the hi-hat is doing. Of course if the drummer is a loony and has the hi-hat on his right, then vice-versa obviously.

[Lozz196]

I prefer being stage left - as we look out - with the drummer on my right. Mainly due to having been in bands with clumsy people for years, there`s less chance of one of them blundering into my headstock.

[chaypup]

Centre stage for me as I generally call out any cues when we're improvising (which is most of the time)!

[discreet]

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1355149747' post='1894618']
Centre stage for me...[/quote]

What?? You can't have the bass in the middle - it's against the law!

[paul torch]

I like to have the drummer on my left as I am a bit mutton in my right ear.

[chaypup]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1355149876' post='1894619']
What?? You can't have the bass in the middle - it's against the law!
[/quote]

It also means I have the bass drum right behind me which helps me lock in with that nicely.

[discreet]

[quote name='paul torch' timestamp='1355149996' post='1894620']
I like to have the drummer on my left as I am a bit mutton in my right ear.[/quote]

Is that from previously having the drummer on your right?

Edited December 10, 2012 by discreet

[discreet]

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1355150069' post='1894623']
It also means I have the bass drum right behind me which helps me lock in with that nicely.[/quote]

I couldn't have the kick drum firing up my arse - I'd have to run offstage for a poo.

[steve]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1355149453' post='1894610']
I insist on having the drummer on my right, because I like to hear what the hi-hat is doing.
[/quote]

same here

[TimR]

Depends on the drummer. If he is good with eye contact then on the right of him makes him look out to the audience more. I've played with drummers who permanatly look at their hi-hat and you can't get any eye contact. But then they're usually a lost case anyway.

I don't mind on a personal level though.

[paul torch]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1355150107' post='1894626']
Is that from previously having the drummer on your right?
[/quote]

Almost but not quite. It's always been weak but was worsened when DJing by constantly having the headphones clamped to that ear.

[BigRedX]

I prefer stage left (looking at the audience with the drummer on my right) as I'm less likely to clout the other band members in the face with the head of my bass. However we do a lot of gigs with psychobilly bands using upright bass and they always set up the other way around (why?)

[Doddy]

Wherever.
I prefer stage left,but I've done a lot this year where I've been stage right. It really doesn't
make a difference.

[LiamPodmore]

Who says you have to be on the stage? I don't mind either, though i tend to end up with the drummer on my left at big gigs (With stages and lights and things) and on my right at pub gigs. No idea why, that just seems to be what happens. I don't mind either.

Liam

[bassace]

I'd like to be alongside the hihat but as I'm a double bass player I have to be stage right, looking into the band, otherwise if it's stage left I'm looking out of the band into a sidewall or curtain and that doesn't aid concentration. I suppose it's not so important for BG players - or is it?

[charic]

I prefer to be on the left, although we don't have a drummer. It's just where I'm more comfortable

[thisnameistaken]

I'll go wherever I end up, So long as there's room for my pedals and a mike stand and I haven't got a ride cymbal right next to my ear I don't really give a toss. I would rather not be on the left of a right-handed guitarist if I can help it though because the silly buggers never know where the end of that thing is.

[Dr.Dave]

You all know my attitude.

I couldn't give a toss whether left or right so long as I'm at the front rather than the back !

[seashell]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1355149876' post='1894619']
What?? You can't have the bass in the middle - it's against the law!
[/quote]

I ended up in the middle (but behind the singer) at the rehearsal of the 'scratch' band at the music academy on Sat. I stood there because that's where the bass amp was and I didn't feel I ought to move anything.
it did feel a bit wierd tbh, and I wondered if it looked a bit strange as well. I'd prefer to be on one side or the other (don't mind which) so I can see what everyone else is doing.

I didn't like to say anything at the time because I was a bit nervous and the musical director didn't say anything. But I think I might mention it at the next rehearsal. My cable would easily stretch over to a better position - as long as it's not a health and safety hazard!

Edited December 10, 2012 by seashell

[Dr.Dave]

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1355153279' post='1894691']
I ended up in the middle (but behind the singer)
[/quote]

'shell , we really have to talk !!!!!!!!!

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1355150874' post='1894645']
However we do a lot of gigs with psychobilly bands using upright bass and they always set up the other way around (why?)
[/quote]

If you direct the front of a DB towards the audience (which seems kind of sensible) then you're likely to end up standing facing the stage-left wings. If the drummer is to your (nominal) right then actually you have just turned your back on him ...

Ask me how I know:

[IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Performance/120603%20Kings%20Head/AcousticgiginW312.jpg[/IMG]

[Wooks79]

I'd always rather my drummer to my left, so that if I turn to face them, I haven't completely blanked the crowd with my back to them (being right handed) if you see what I mean.