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11 Mar 05 - 10:52 AM (#1432228) Subject: Band Lineup From: Vixen I'm sure this was discussed here awhile ago, but I can't seem to find the thread, so if anyone can find and refresh it, I'd be much obliged. Here's the question...when your band performs, how tenacious are the members of their positions on the stage? What sort of etiquette governs who stands where? (given, of course, that the "front person" is always front and center!!!) I, for example, like to be at the extreme right end of the lineup, with my good left ear to the rest of the band. But I don't know how insistent I can/should be about this, without seeming to be a prima donna. Or am I being a prima donna??? Your thoughts...? V |
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11 Mar 05 - 11:26 AM (#1432253) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: treewind In my experience it just sort of settles down into whatever works. Even with Mary as a duo, we've found it's best for me to be on the left as seen by the audience (is that "stage left"? I forget) as apart from anything else it means when I'm playing cello and shes playing banjo (a common combination) (a) I can hear the banjo better because it's facing me and (b) the long end of the banjo isn't in my way. I'm sure practical considertaions like this always determine the final outcome. With our ceilidh band, the line up across the stage from L to R as seen from the dance floor is: Gina (recorder) Dave (fiddle) (mixer is usually behind Dave or between him and me) Me (melodeon) Mary (keyboard) The factors that probably led to this are: - We are two couples so we like to be next to our own partners (some would say that's a bad thing...) - Band is led from fiddle so he's best in middle - keyboard takes up space so better to have it at side facing slightly inwards ...all of which information is no use to anyone else, because every band is different in instruments, who does what and personalities. Anahata |
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11 Mar 05 - 11:33 AM (#1432260) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: Jerry Rasmussen I try to stay on the left side for practical reasons. I play guitar and the four of us all do vocals, so it's just safer to be on the left so that I don't jab the person to my left with my guitar when we start rocking. I have to make sure that my amp is to my left as well. I learned that early on when the other members of the group kept stpeeing on my guitar cord and unplugging my guitar when I had the amp on the other side of the group. Whatever works works. We tend to switch positions with almost every song because it's important to be able to hear the harmony of the person you are closest to, and we are constantly changing leads. Jerry |
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11 Mar 05 - 11:47 AM (#1432285) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: GUEST,Les B. It's a good idea to get the "lineup" fixed early on in your group's life. Some venues/soundpeople want a diagram, before you go on as to where specific vocal mics, instrument mics, direct boxes, etc., need to be on stage. If you're doing pure acoustic, it helps to know where you're going to hear the harmonies, etc. Sometimes it takes a rehearsal or two to work out just where everyone is the most comfortable, but once you get it set it really helps - there are no surprises when the chips are down ! In our case we have one lead singer on the left end of a semi-circle, so we can see her chord hand on the guitar. She plays a lot of major-minor songs and it can be a real chore to follow her newer songs if you can't see what she's doing. In the middle we have our bass player/lead singer and lead guitar player/harmony singer who are husband and wife who need to hear each other. I'm on the left end, singing and playing banjo. My only problem is that I hold my instrument neck more horizontal than most (eases hand/elbow strain) and if we're in really tight quarters I am almost poking the bass player in the ribs. But in the long run it works best this way. Visually, this lineup helps since it is male-female-male-female -giving some variety. (It also helps that our two females are very attractive women - while we guys are kind of so-so!) So - don't think of yourself as a prima dona - think of it as design and presentation. |
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11 Mar 05 - 11:51 AM (#1432291) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: GUEST,Les B. Oops! I'm on the right end -with my banjo neck pointed left. |
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11 Mar 05 - 12:06 PM (#1432308) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: rhyzla Ok - three of us in the band, guitarist/singer central, keyboard/accordion player on right (from audience) and me (left handed guitar) on left so that my guitar neck points away from everyone - so we can can play in quite small spaces. However, it's important that we arrange ourselves into a slight half circle so that we can get eye contact with each other, so the central guy moves back slightly. But none of us are prima-donas, and we talked it through before we ever got on stage! |
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11 Mar 05 - 02:12 PM (#1432400) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: Wesley S We put our Richard - our guitar player who often sings lead - in the middle. I tend to stand on his right because I play a mandolin - the neck is rather short and doesn't get in his way. Our banjo and guitar player David is on the other side - Richards left - where he has room to switch instruments. And since Richard does most of the introductions it helps keep the focus in the middle. I'll add that the only time you'll find me to the right of a situation is when we're standing on stage. |
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11 Mar 05 - 02:28 PM (#1432416) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: Vixen Thanks for the input! Mudcats are the best! Based on what I've read hear, what I think I need to do is get the band talking, as a group, about where each person wants to be. I might explicitly point out that our front man (who has put himself in "my spot" on the far right) might be more effective if he (and his guitar) and the other lead singer were in the center of the group. Thanks again! V |
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11 Mar 05 - 04:09 PM (#1432527) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: Wesley S I've always thought of the far right spot as the Paul spot, the middle as the George spot and the far left spot as Johns. |
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11 Mar 05 - 04:39 PM (#1432553) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: Ernest ...and the bodhran in the next room - or better the next town ;0) |
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12 Mar 05 - 09:00 AM (#1432988) Subject: RE: Band Lineup From: a gud ole bwoy Sometimes the group name determines the line up. A friend of mine was in a group, 2 female, and him, called 'Man Sandwich', he certainly knew his place!! |