Band arrangement/positioning on stage

djpauw

Hey Guys

Some things are pretty obvious, some not... There must be a reason why most bands are arranged roughly the same, yet there are also some variations... I would really like to hear your input and comments...

How would you arrange a band on stage and why, based on the following?

1x acoustic guitar (also vocalist)
1-2x electric guitar (lead & rhythm)
1x drums (duh)
1x keyboard (also vocalist)
2x backup vocals
sadly no bass yet

Looking forward to hearing your opinions and comparing notes...

DJ

MIKA-the-better-one

however you want really, however you would alwys want to couple the bass and drums close... thats the biggie for me.... Alot of ppl think you must do it a certain conventional way but you dont. As long as you avoid feedbask you good and you can hear everyone thru the moniters.

guitarboy2828

Whoever is leading the band, usually the lead singer, need to be in a spot where everyone can see him and follow his cue.. So the drummed can see if he is tapping his foot faster or slower or whatever the case maybe be.. otherwise, no one should stay in one spot, they should run around on stage! ?

inflames

Don't think it really matters.
Look at Killswitch Engage, Adam is running around like a mad man!

MIKA-the-better-one

not if you are playing to click... or you have a good drummer, in that case you dont have to watch the singer, it completly watever,

aubs1

MIKA the better one wrote: ..........however you would alwys want to couple the bass and drums close... thats the biggie for me....

I fully agree with bass and drums close, to keep it "tight"....... they have to be "like one".........

However you don't have a bass player but 2 electric guitars???? .....and then you have a keyboard player.!...... so why do you need a rhythm guitar then? Unless you have 2 Lead guitars, I think it's waste, get one of the guitarists to play bass until you get a dedicated bass player!..... a bass player is 10x more important than a rhythm guitar!!!!.....just my way of thinking...... ?

djpauw

lol @ aubs... i was wondering if anyone would pick up the strange mix of instruments. the band in question is one that was not started by me and it is *almost* a case of "everyone's invited", that obviously being the cause of the mix.

together with some of the other bandmembers, i am however planning to start a planned band (wow it rhymes!).. or at least one where we are aiming for a specific sound and feel. not to destroy or damage the first band though, we will probably still take part there too, but the new band will be better focussed.

DJ

Manfred-Klose

Useally if your standing in the audience and looking to the stage, the guitarist(lead) should be to the left, then maby the keyboard next(depending if the keyboardist also sings) vocalist in the middle and bass to the right(not to far away from the drummer), and maby rhytmn guitar between vocals and bass.

The reason for it being so is that the right ear picks up bass and spoken words better, and the left ear picks up melodies better.

hope this makes sense.
But it all comes down to experimenting, watching some DVD's of other bands to check out there way of setup and try it out.

aubs1

Manfred Klose wrote: But it all comes down to experimenting, watching some DVD's of other bands to check out there way of setup and try it out.

Experimenting......YES!!!..... but I would also suggest a sound guy who has a "good" ear to help.

TomCat

aubs1 wrote:
Manfred Klose wrote: But it all comes down to experimenting, watching some DVD's of other bands to check out there way of setup and try it out.
Experimenting......YES!!!..... but I would also suggest a sound guy who has a "good" ear to help.

HeHeHe.....did I hear someone mention my name..... ? ?.....just kidding.....(Although a trip the the Fish River Canyon would be nice....)

Seriously though Aubs has a good suggestion....unfortunately good sound engineers with the appropriate experience are few and far between....

Inter-member communication is vital...especially when the band is still getting on it's feet so lay out the positions that best suits the ability to see each other. Another factor is who is the leader and the director in the band.... the rest of the band needs to see him/her in order to be able to follow...

DonovanB

Manfred Klose wrote: The reason for it being so is that the right ear picks up bass and spoken words better, and the left ear picks up melodies better.

I'm sure it varies for different people.

Renesongs

The reason for it being so is that the right ear picks up bass and spoken words better, and the left ear picks up melodies better.

So why do most people hold a telephone to their left ear?
Have you ever noticed that that most recordings have the bass panned slightly left, but I have heard quite a few with the bass on the right. Keyboards give one the impression that bass must be on the left. Orchestra's have the bass section on the right. Which is correct - who knows? As long as the guy with the biggest mouth and the most to say is up front and center.

Manfred-Klose

only a guideline to open room for experimentation.
also depends how small or big the venue is, and even the acoustics in the venue has the biggest effect.

So why do most people hold a telephone to their left ear?

probably because there right ear has been damaged at night clubs ?
just joking.

Strange my cellphone is on my right ear?
i must be a alien then........ ?

aubs1

Renesongs wrote: .............. As long as the guy with the biggest mouth and the most to say is up front and center.

LOL!!!!!!! Hey Rene.......everything else can be experimental.......but THAT you have smack on the button!!!!! :roflmao: :roflmao:

Manfred Klose wrote: Strange my cellphone is on my right ear?
i must be a alien then........ ?

@Manny.......don't feel lonely, I use my right ear too.......so we have 2 aliens!!! hahhahaha

Renesongs

I think that Manny and Aubs are sinister agents plotting to overthrow the natural order of things. What probably happened (I am guessing here) is that desktop telephone were designed so that you picked up the receiver with your left hand, dialed the numbers with your right hand and then could doodle and take notes with your right hand and all the lefties got sent to Cuba 8)

DonovanB

Renesongs wrote: As long as the guy with the biggest mouth and the most to say is up front and center.

What if that person is the drummer? *shudder*

sometimes it depends on where the plug points are for the amps and pedals. There are so many variables.

Keira-WitherKay

yeah guys the answer to this question is simple........... you put the prettiest or most mucho members up front..... having the audience notice the good looking /sexy members is essential if you want a following heheheh i kid you not..... sex sells .... and draws people to your show.....and if your band is not blessed with any beautiful people, male or female.......... keep the lights low.... thats what i do hehheheheh

Keira-WitherKay

yeah guys the answer to this question is simple...........forget the technical reasons you simply put the prettiest or most mucho members up front..... having the audience notice the good looking /sexy members is essential if you want a following heheheh i kid you not..... sex sells .... and draws people to your show.....and if your band is not blessed with any beautiful people, male or female.......... keep the lights low.... thats what i do hehheheheh