which side of the stage do your prefer?

Tom Keller · Post by **Tom Keller** » 1 Nov 2009 3:42 pm

If given my druthers I will take house left.

Johnny Thomasson · Post by **Johnny Thomasson** » 1 Nov 2009 4:56 pm

Your poll specifically stated "for steel", so I voted stage right/house left. But if I'm playing fiddle, I prefer stage left/house right. Figure that one out.

Bob Mueller · Post by **Bob Mueller** » 2 Nov 2009 1:31 pm

I like Stage Left for one reason. I smile and grin on my right side. If I work Stage Right, Every one thinks I'm not happy.
Bobby

Chris Erbacher · Post by **Chris Erbacher** » 2 Nov 2009 4:59 pm

stage right house left...that way i can catch the nuances of the rest of the players when looking at my bar hand...and if i want to extend my solo to another round...it is easier...if i was playing a left handed steel, it would be the opposite...

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 2 Nov 2009 7:02 pm

Doug hit it first.........and I agree.

Always worked with the lead man on my left and our amps side-by-side. They blended quite well for all of our twin-guitar instrumentals, etc. Also, in those days, lead guitarists were a little sensitive about playing too loud, so you'd have a nabor to buffer some of the loud/harsh sounds of a LEAD BASSman or drummer. Plus, you could usually determine from his fretting what chords were being played........just in case you got lost.

Looking at your bar hand made it easier to see what the rest of the band was doing and/or if the leader was wanting the steel to kick off a song or take the turn-around.

Sure miss those days.

Dale Thomas · Post by **Dale Thomas** » 2 Nov 2009 9:36 pm

I hate to upset your stats, but I front my band, choose the songs, count them off, and sit front and center so my cohorts can hear me give those leadings.
Dale

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 3 Nov 2009 4:20 am

I voted right side, but seldom get my way.
It's where ever I'm asked to sit.
I do like the right side if I'm sitting in with a new band and don't know their songs.
If I'm next to the guitar player I can read his chords and be ready to take a solo when asked.
Don

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 10 Nov 2009 8:32 am

Many thanks to all that replied. The poll results turned out to be about how I expected. Mostly "stage right".

Sorry I didn't allow for more answer options....like "whatever is left over for me to squeeze into, that's what side of the stage I get to be on". : )

W. C. Edgar · Post by **W. C. Edgar** » 10 Nov 2009 1:27 pm

After the last steel player I used on the road I think I would like to set him back next to the drummer and facing the other way (back of the stage).

Seriously, if the guy can really pick, as a artist I'd like him right next to me almost right up front so I could show him off.

WC Edgar

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 10 Nov 2009 1:54 pm

If you're viewing the stage from the audience, I am on the far left side.

I don't take steel to perform any more, but when I did bring the steel I set it up at the front of the stage, not in the background like sideman steelers usually do.
I also had two vocal mikes - one for singing while I played guitar and the other for singing while playing steel.

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 11 Nov 2009 5:20 am

I think I'm on the left most of the time (stage right) but it depends on the stage lay-out and who gets there first too. I work with a guitar player that comes in to set up and sometimes won't give me enough room if we're going to be on the same side of the stage. I prefer to not be on the same side as the guitar player so it's more balanced but if you've got a booming bass player then I'd rather not be next to him. Last week for instance I worked with a bass player that was just that, booming all the time with zero dynamics! It may have been more balanced out front but for me all I heard was the bass player next to me!

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 11 Nov 2009 9:55 am

My only preference is to be next to the lead guitarist so that we can coordinate our efforts behind the vocalist.

Whether we have charts or not, we can coordinate by looking at each other. That's the upside of working with professional musicians.

Jaclyn Jones · Post by **Jaclyn Jones** » 11 Nov 2009 11:16 am

I would like front center. They always put the stupid drums there! Oh the pain if it! Most of the time I am stage left, but I hog as much room as o can.

David Kurrasch · Post by **David Kurrasch** » 11 Nov 2009 3:27 pm

I like stage right, since I'm usually looking at my left hand, aids in communicating with the band. Also, I don't like being stuck too far towards the back. The sound is usually worse at the back of the stage, where all you hear is drums. Ideally, about 3 or 4 feet back from the front edge of the stage. That keeps you out of reach of fans on the front row!

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 11 Nov 2009 5:40 pm

I generally prefer the side of the stage, set up more or less sideways like any time I've seen Buddy Cage. If I can get this setup, I can see everything without taking my eyes off the steel, and angle the amp directly at me more or less like a monitor, but somewhat to the side and away from the sound people and the singer. This way, I can hear myself but don't bother anybody.

Stage left or right preference is determined by whether or not there are sound people on one side or another - I try to always set up so I can aim my amp offstage but still out of their line of fire.

Of course, sometimes setup on a small stage forces the optimal bin-packing approach, and we all go where we fit. But given my druthers, I prefer the above setup.

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 12 Nov 2009 2:07 pm

considering that some of the gigs I am playing recently have been with a 10 piece band, there have been occasions where I am lucky just to be on the stage, so I have never been that choosey (exit, stage right)

The Steel Guitar Forum

which side of the stage do your prefer?

Which side of the stage for steel?

My happy side.

Stage Right is my preference...................

thanks