Position of steel on stage

Mitch Adelman · Post by **Mitch Adelman** » 21 Feb 2007 12:19 pm

Due to space problems with our band and the fact that I double on guitar I have to keep my Carter at a right angle to the amp. In other words I can't face the audience but have to face stage right. This gives me only 1 ear facing my amp. I think I'm at a disadvantage compared to having the steel parallel to the amp. Does any one else play on stage with their steel in this position (right angle to the amp)? .Are steel players better off keeping their steel facing the audience compared to right angles or am I just a complainer in the band? The keyboard player doesnt have his rig facing the audience and he says its not an issue with him. Every show on TV or concert I have seen has the steel facing the audience. Am I cutting my self short (hearing) this way?Thanks.

mike nolan · Post by **mike nolan** » 21 Feb 2007 2:10 pm

I often play with the steel facing across the stage and I see other players do this too. Maybe it is a New York thing, because the stages tend to be rather small here.

I have seen Buddy Cage several times and he was always facing stage left.

It is funny, but I prefer facing stage left....... I read somewhere that everything sounds better in the left ear for right handed musicians.

Some kind of a left brain right brain issue..... and another cool thing to obsess about.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 21 Feb 2007 2:27 pm

45 degrees like this :-

click here

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 21 Feb 2007 2:50 pm

Mitch,you are right on about hearing most of the sound going to one ear it's like listening thru heaphones that only have one side working.The band that I play with tried having me sit sideways facing the band,they asked me what I thought of it,I said that I could only hear stuff from my right ear.I now play with a Peavey Session 400 wedge which sits dead center in front of me,there's something about playing in mono hearing equally out of both ears that works for me.

Gene H. Brown · Post by **Gene H. Brown** » 21 Feb 2007 3:05 pm

Just like most of us, your notes will just go through one ear and out the other.

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 21 Feb 2007 6:42 pm

Seems like my head spends a lot of time down & tilted to my left so if I'm on everyone elses' right I'm more likely to catch cues and keep abreast of what's going on. If I were set up turned towards everyone on stage I'd have to raise my head to see anything instead of just having it in my periphial vision. I guess it took a few times of me not seeing someone pointing at me to take a ride before I realized this.

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 21 Feb 2007 7:44 pm

I like to sit on the right at 45 % angle to the band that way when they just start singing if you don't catch the chord right away you can read the guitar chords.

ernie

Aaron Harms · Post by **Aaron Harms** » 22 Feb 2007 9:52 am

I concur with Ernest. Setting up on the right and facing about 45 degrees into the crowd/across the stage. That way you can still enjoy the show " a little" but also know when the singer/songwriter lays a brand new song out. I tried looking across the steel and stage, but hated having something between me and the rest of the band.

I also "box" myself in with the amp, probably about a 45 degree angle towards the back of stage left, with me in the middle. I double on guitar, among other things, so I have the other instruments behind me and to the left....I haven't noticed any trouble from just a single ear, AND I can leave alot of effects on the top of my amp, for hand switiching, since there's no room under the steel for extra guitar effects.

I originally got the idea from Ben Harper (lap steeler) who sets up at the front (when I saw him) with his stack on his right--easy to make real time changes in the amp settings. etc, since for better or worse, you're tied to the chair for most of the gig.

Aaron

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 22 Feb 2007 10:53 am

I always postioned myself to the right side of my bandmates. amp behind me, monitor in front.
with this arrangement I could look up and see the singer and follow any cues. by looking towards the left I could always keep my bar in view.
I began by setting up to everyone's left. the first time I looked up I lost postion of the bar. scary.
for the second set I moved to the right side.
much better.
in many places the monitors suck. it becomes essential to see your band mates for cues.

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 22 Feb 2007 12:12 pm

I have no choice,having only one working ear.Always set up on the right and angled slightly left so I can see every one on stage.My amps are behind me and my lead guitars and Dobro to my right where I can reach them..This is my set-up with a good band,If I get stuck with a bunch of noise makers I set up on the other side where I can't hear them very well.

PJ

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 22 Feb 2007 12:16 pm

if there is room I always set up on one of the wings sort of sideways, maybe not 90 degrees but maybe 30 or 45 so I can see across the stage. Our monthly gig I set up like this with the N400 just to my left..but not aiming directly at me, I'm not totally nuts..

A slight angle towards the center of the bandstand allows for good eye contact...that is if you ever look up from the Steel

Jory Simmons · Post by **Jory Simmons** » 22 Feb 2007 12:18 pm

I play in a 4 pc, yet still because of some small Bars/stages we play in, I have to set up, stage right,at a right angle to my amp, facing the Band...this is great for communicating w/ da Boys.....But I wear in-ear Buds, and wear only the right one.....get a little steel it and it sounds great...even though ear buds are a little high-end sounding, it works out good.

Martin Vigesaa · Post by **Martin Vigesaa** » 22 Feb 2007 5:14 pm

I've done it both ways and don't feel i'm missing out either way. Sometimes I prefer it more in 1 ear to balance out the drums that are mostly in my other ear.

Ben Edmonds · Post by **Ben Edmonds** » 22 Feb 2007 6:03 pm

Ive seen Buddy Cage and he sits stage left and his amp was too, right behind him. I like to sit there too, but more at a 45

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 22 Feb 2007 6:16 pm

I've been told before where to put mine...

... but that's probably not what you meant.

With Tammy, I was stage left, facing forward... with Chely, I was stage right, angled in a bit on a riser... recording, I'm usually on the cutting room floor... sigh... I prefer my amp behind me, not to one side... or, if it's as a monitor only, in front of me.

Not that I ever get that... it's just what I prefer...

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 22 Feb 2007 8:30 pm

basilh wrote:45 degrees like this :-

click here

I couldn't get the connexion to dowload.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 23 Feb 2007 12:30 am

Alan, it may take a minute or two, it's not streaming video, it's a Quicktime file.
Here is the same clip on YouTube :-

Click etc

John Cadeau · Post by **John Cadeau** » 23 Feb 2007 8:40 am

Buddy Cage began setting up the way he does for the same reason as Papa Joe. He was in a car crash many years ago, resulting in hearing loss in one ear.
JC

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Position of steel on stage

Position of steel on stage

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Position of Steel on Stage