Stage left or tage right. Who cares ?

[chaypup]

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1355153279' post='1894691']
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!
[/quote]
[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1355153725' post='1894700']
'shell , we really have to talk !!!!!!!!!
[/quote]

That whole post is a double entendre!!!!

[BigRedX]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1355154143' post='1894704']
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 ...[/quote]

That makes perfect sense now. It's frustrating for me because pretty much every gig we do supporting a psychobilly band with an upright bass, I end up on the other side of the stage and at some point in the set Mr Venom will have a coming together with the headstock of my bass. The few occasions when the DB has been on the stage left is when they were also the lead singer.

[molan]

I used to be in a big 13 piece band with horns (always on my side of the stage) and singers. I was sometimes rammed really close to the kit and, being right handed and on the right hand side of the drummer my headstock had very little room to move without getting close to clattering a cymbal.

Got the MD to move me and the horns to the left hand side so if I swung around too far I wouldn't hit the kit - got the, flash git, also sax player on the back of the head a couple of times though

[JTUK]

Don't care...
I just look to see where everything will fit and I'll go next to the keys.

But... I wont tolerate a squeeze in anywhere... we need about 5-6 mtrs and as deep as we can get,

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1355159242' post='1894797']
I wont tolerate a squeeze in anywhere... we need about 5-6 mtrs and as deep as we can get,
[/quote]

You'd struggle in most of the pubs we play in, then.

[wateroftyne]

Generally stage left. In one of my bands, the drummer sets up stage left, facing across the stage. It's fab.

[Spike Vincent]

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1355149368' post='1894606']
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.
[/quote]

I play left handed so I prefer stage right for the same reason.

I try not to listen to the drummer so that's not an issue.

[Bassmonkey]

Centre for me as I'm the singer too. Price I pay is having to squeeze in front of kick drum and being last to fit my gear in as guitarists take left n right and drummer sets up his enormous kit.

[Stan_da_man]

Don't mind usually but I do prefer playing stage left but not because of the hi-hat but because of the ride cymbal. Don't know why but it inspires me more when the drummer is grooving on the ride and I can play along with him/her/it.

[Twigman]

I would prefer to have the drummer on my right (ie be on the left as we look out - so I can hear the hihat) but we ALWAYS set up the other way round and I end up on the right, behind the keyboard....the guitarist doesn't share sight lines with the keyboardist....

[Lord Sausage]

[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 insist the drummer locks in with me!

[leschirons]

I prefer the drummer on my right as we look out. I can get a good view of the kick pedal from there and it just seems better for the two of us re the eye contact and fun aspect.

However, with the drummer I played with on Saturday, I'd have rather been in another building, or town.

[Doddy]

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1355164855' post='1894913']
Don't mind usually but I do prefer playing stage left but not because of the hi-hat but because of the ride cymbal. Don't know why but it inspires me more when the drummer is grooving on the ride and I can play along with him/her/it.
[/quote]

So does you drummer have his ride on his right rather than left side like most other guys?

[mep]

Never bothered me but our guitarist insists on being to the left of the drummer as we stand so I end up the other side.

Previously I used to be on the drummers snare side more often than not.

[Stan_da_man]

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1355170051' post='1895014']


So does you drummer have his ride on his right rather than left side like most other guys?
[/quote]
I thought the ride was always on the right on a standard drum kit?

[chrismuzz]

I much prefer having the drummer to my left. not sure why, but it does mean I'm less likely to smack my headstock off a wall! If there's already a bass cab set up at the other side of the stage I wouldn't mind making an exception though.... I like to be near my amp so I can hear myself loud and clear

[Doddy]

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1355177452' post='1895164']
I thought the ride was always on the right on a standard drum kit?
[/quote]

Sorry my confusion..yeah. With you saying you stand stage left because of the ride,I meant the other
way around.

[The Dark Lord]

I gotta go stage left - with the drummer to my right and the guitar dude to his right.

Don't feel proper any other way.

[neepheid]

I've played in either position, it doesn't seem to bother me.

[peteb]

This topic comes round quite a bit....

Generally stage right so that I can hear / feel the bass drum - a lot of claasic rock bands set up like this (I know that Billy Sheehan usually insists on it)

However, these days I'm not as bothered as I used to be!

[lurksalot]

I generally play stage left , no real reason just that we have a plan, if we stick to the same routine and shape it is quicker setting up.
but a bit more space and distance from the snare would reeeeealllly help sometimes , our sticks hits it wellard .

[yepmop]

I'm a drummer to the right man, don't think I've ever done it to the left (ooooer, fnaf, fnaf).

[Cat Burrito]

As long as our M&Ms backstage are the right colour and I've not had to waste time folding small sandwiches at the tour manager I'm easy

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1355182700' post='1895253']
As long as our M&Ms backstage are the right colour and I've not had to waste time folding small sandwiches at the tour manager I'm easy
[/quote]

You won't go onstage unless you have 10,000 brown M&Ms to fill a brandy glass?

[mikebass84]

If I have it my way I always stand on the hi-hat side of the drummer (current drummer is a righty). Something not right about being on the other side

Edited January 14, 2013 by mikebass84