Where are you positioned on stage?

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

In my band, I am always positioned far stage left and then the bass player is next to me, then the singer and then the lead guitar. Obviously, the drummer is center furthest back.

What position do you think would give the steel player the most advantage?

Larry Behm · From: Mt Angel, Or 97362

I try to sit to the left as you look at the stage. My head is turned to my left already and it is easier to see what is going on on stage. I also angle my hi rise a little to the left.

Larry Behm

Moon in Alaska · From: Kasilof, Alaska * R.I.P.

Yes, I do like to have the entire band to
my left....I am looking at my bar hand and
can see everyone best...I also like to use a little angle in that direction..
I think it is called stage right..
Moon

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Tony Orth · From: Evansville, Indiana, USA

Same as Larry an Moon.

Looking left is more natural for me, too.

Fred Shannon · From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.

Len, i also play on the right side of the band, angled at about 20 degrees in order to see the lead man and singer. Moon, glad to see you back on the Forum. We've missed you..Hope you don't mind Len. FRED

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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real

Ken Williams · From: Arkansas

Like many of you, I guess I've sat in many different spots on stage. I used to always sit on the end. However, I think I prefer sitting somewhere closer to the middle. I can hear all the instruments better. When I'm playing one of those "playem' as you think of them" type gigs, I'm more aware of what the next song is. Plus if someone tells a good joke, you don't miss out.

I once played a sit down gig where I was set up beyond the end of a baby grand piano. I got hit twice by broken piano strings. Needless to say, the piano player was a little heavy-handed.
Ken
http://home.ipa.net/~kenwill

[This message was edited by Ken Williams on 08 September 2003 at 08:04 PM.]

Bob Mainwaring · From: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Always looking at my bar hand - left hand plus I can always look/listen/what the other guys are doing and in what key - always helps

Bob Mainwaring. Z.Bs. and other weird things.

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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I set up to the left of the drummer, with the Steel slightly angled towards the stage center. I also have my Tele rig set up just to the left of my Steel rig.

When another Tele' player works with us he sets up just to the left of me also.

So I guess it's safe to say that we own the left side of the bandstand.

tp

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Most bands I've played in tend to put the rhythm section in the middle and lead instruments on the ends. I naturally gravitate toward the left side, too (facing the stage). I usually have either a rack or fx device on a chair and that's the only position that allows me to keep the rack out of everyone's way.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Randy Pettit · From: North Texas USA

Prefer stage right, especially on tight stages - no bass or guitar headstocks whacking you in head (unless you play with Paul McCartney).

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

Stage Right for sure! Got to be able to see the guitar players hands to follow what ever he's sure are the right chords and he's gonna play'em!
JE:-)>

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Stage right, with the lead player to my immediate left (unless he's the LOUD type), the drummer and singer center, and the bass on the far left. Of course, this varies with the band, and I don't always have final say.

I'm a sideman.

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

I guess I'm the exception to the rule, I sit
stage right. (facing the stage)
I don't want to look at the ugly guys in our band!!
Seriously, we've played together a long time and everyone knows the material, so no need to look at the other guitar players hands.

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Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Stage right, lead guitar player just to my immediate left.
Jerry

Jim Ives · From: Los Angeles, California, USA

As often as possible, under the stage with a girl and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

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Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I spent four years with Blueground Undergrass on stage right, which I prefer as I can get my sidekick rack to my right and out of the traffic pattern. These days Sugarland has me stage left, the front singers have the backline setup according to their own tastes(!). I have to admit I've really enjoyed gigs I've done with Warren Haynes, Leftover Salmon, Max Creek, and others that stuck me in the middle of the stage, big jammin' fun!

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Bobby Snell · From: Austin, Texas

Stage right is the good place, but depends on the shape of the honkey tonk sometimes!

Good lead players are welcome over on my side; easier to work up impromptu twin parts and play "4's", etc.

Stage left usually means next to the bass player (unless it's a lefty drummer), as most drummers want the bass on the high-hat side. I spent a couple years next to Lunchmeat Ludwick, AKA "Louder than Death." On smaller stages I would have to hunch between his bass amp and my pickups to keep from sending bass into my amp. But I always knew where the progression was going; he's a solid bassist and a fun guy.

Many times bands prefer separating the keyboard and bassist to prevent the low tones washing around like soup. Steelers will end up next to the bass.

Confused about the terms stage- right and left? Of course it is from the "Star"'s point of view! Entertainers couldn't relate to any other point of view than their own!

Jackie Anderson · From: Scarborough, ME

Put it this way: it's been a while, but my most noticeable hearing loss is in my left ear....

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Stage left, next to the bass player with drums between myself and the tele/strat. Keyboard either on my left, or right of the tele/strat.

If nothing else I like to be where I can get a clear shot at any of them, and especially the drummer.

The hat is for headstock cushion. Bass players don't get as wild in my experience.

Reversing the whole setup is fine too. My neck bends both ways. Usually if you have to look at somebody you're trading licks with, you aren't listening/ playing right, or whomever you're trading with isn't. There should always be a spiked little cue before the "taking of it" or a pause before handing it off. Blind people can do it just fine.

EJL

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I prefer that right corner of the stage with the lead guitarist on my immediate left. It only takes one good thump on the side of the head to realize why many of us do it this way. In the olden days, it allowed you to observe the lead guitarists' fret position and thus easier to grab the key the rest of the group is playing in.......since they often forget to tell the steel man.
I've played from the left corner but that guitar neck always weaving in and around my head makes my nervous........and I find it uncomfortable over there.
I like to stay as far away from the bass man as I can get since all too many of them tend to strum bass chords during intervals between songs. Too much of that, and I'm tone deaf the rest of the evening. Same for the drums; too many rim shots in close sequence destroys my sense of hearing.

Pat Dawson · From: Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, USA

Stage left with the guitar player 1st to my right. Those Mesa Boogie amps are LOUD. Sitting on the left with both hands out on the steel, they call me the bus driver.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Close to the EXIT.

Joerg Hennig · From: Bavaria, Germany

In my opinion, the most advantage is to sit stage right at a 90 degree angle, like Buddy Cage does. I did that a couple of times when the space was really limited and found I suddenly was able to keep an eye on the guitar player´s hands, which helped me a lot since that particular guitar player was - to say it in a mild manner - somewhat unreliable. From that position, you can figure out in advance what they will do.

Regards, Joe H.

Jesse Harris · From: Ventura, California, USA

OK I have always wondered and can some one clarify for me.

Stage Right
means the right side of the stage if you are standing on the stage facing the audience, or does it mean the right side of the stage from the audience point of view, I have heard people use and misuse this term for years.

whats the deal?

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

Directly behind the DJ and the Karaoke machine

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