As I was going through some "dream sets," I noticed that many wouldn't allow anyone in front of the bandstand a really good view to see you play - most would have try to get a side seat. It's one of my pet peeve's when I go to see someone play and can't either because they sit too low or have so much stuff in front of them - all you see is bobbing heads and flashing of sticks.

Does your set-up give the audience an opportunity to watch you play? Or, is it something that's just not that important to you.

When I put this set together, I wanted to make sure the audience had a chance to see me play.








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Alden Merrill

Ford Drums
Zildjian Cymbals, Aquarian Heads
Vater, Cappella and Vic Firth Sticks
Proudly playing drums crafted in the USA.

I'm not really concerned with wether people can see me play. I know drummers like Robert Sweet and the the drummer for Night Ranger used to set their kits up sideways so people could see them better but I grew up listening to bands like Iron Maiden whose drummer you couldn't see at all.

As long as I'm heard, I'm happy.








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www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

In '93, at Lollapollosa, the drummer for Rage Against The Machine set up backwards, and looked into a mirror. Not sure if his intent was to be "seen" or "not". If you get my meaning. Personally I love to watch the feet, so I tend to be stage right (from the crowd), so I can catch a glimpse. I once thought about using only triggers and small rubber pads, so I could remove my bass drums altogether, and afford the crowd a clear view of my feet. Never did it...$$$$$$$. So, I guess my answer is yes I've thought about it.








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I PROUDLY ENDORSE MEDICINE MAN DRUMS AND SALUDA CYMBALS, and Bud light.

I really don't care as long as it sounds good... to a certain extent. I mean, I've seen Behemoth and 3 Inches of Blood, both bands of which have huge drum sets but you can still see the drummer's moving around, which i guess is what i enjoy the most about watching drummers. As far as when I'm playing, I haven't actually done this, but I thought it would be interesting to set up either completely with my back to the crowd or part way, so they could see exactly what I was doing.

I feel being comfortable is much more important, but that being said the bass player in a band I play with always wants to have my kick straight forward which makes me look a little to the left and in small places that sometimes means looking at a wall..For me that's uncomfortable and throws me off some because I alwys want to look back to the right and I become out of balance, so there for it is a 180 from the original question. Just the same I want to see the crowed..Now that I posted this I think I'm gonna tell that bass player to..umm..well you know..lol








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Not into all that competetive who's better crap..Just love to have fun when I drum..!! <|:O)

www.myspace.com/70275304

I've never really thought about it much. I'm more concerned with having what I want where I want it- wouldn't really care to move something for the sake of visual clearance. I think people can see me back there OK.
I have decided it'd be better to wear lighter-colored shirts though, I almost always wear black and end up looking like a floating head and sticks anyway...








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analog missionary
M=yspace

Don't have to worry about that..it would take 3 marshall stacks to block my fat ass!..


Shogun








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Fuck it, every drummer should have like 9 cam views of em, and put to a Jumbotron!








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I PROUDLY ENDORSE MEDICINE MAN DRUMS AND SALUDA CYMBALS, and Bud light.

i actually would rather not be seen as much. usually the only people that want to watch the drummer is other drummers and i prefer not to be too scrutinized, even though this is exactly what i do at almost every show i go to. on the issue of shirt color, i actually prefer black shirts. i play fast and get pretty damn sweaty and light shirts show every drop that soaks into the shirt. black shirts don't show the sweat as much.

I have been setting up sideways for about 10 years now
Not only does it give the audience a chance to see what I'm playing, it gives me the ability to allow my body language to dictate the emotional content of the material








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You say irritant, I say catalyst

Bong wrote:

Fuck it, every drummer should have like 9 cam views of em, and put to a Jumbotron!

The did something similar to that for Vinny Appice when he came around my area with Heaven and Hell.

And I heard RATM's drummer set up like that at Lollapalooza because he didn't want to be nervous.








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"A cult is a religion with no political power." - Tom Wolfe

Eventual Acoustic/Ambient/Stuff band

I dunno, I never really thought about it.
My kit is low enough so that there's nothing really blocking my face or vision of the crowd.
Most people when they're really studious watching me will come to one of side wings of the stage and plant themselves there.

I think the rest of the band blocks me more than my drums do... I don't use a riser because it takes away from the groove of the band & I feel like a drummer on a platform rather than a band member. So it may be harder to see me that way.








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Sneaking into the lives of strangers and letting them fall apart to a new rhythm just to feel better

I have, say, 10:00 to 2:00 fairly open so people can usually see me. Being tall kinda helps with that, too.








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

I'm short, so I make a conscious effort to have a "valley" in front of me. I have the cymbals cleared to the left and right and the toms as low as possible so you can see me. It makes a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE difference in the performance and mood of the show if your audience can see you.

I was thinking about getting a huge portable drum riser. Anyone have one?

It depends. I'm kinda small and short. And The set tends to hide me. So I usually play a smaller set. Jazz standards. The less shit you have the esier it is to be seen.








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You didn't steal my riff, it was free.