You guys have all brought up some interesting ideas. I agree with Al (kbrkr) that when performing from the left side of the stage it makes sense to have the boom coming in from the left and when on the right side of the stage, coming in from the right. I would add that when performing on a grand piano with the lid open towards the audience that the mic stand would best be placed to your left as well, all to best maximize audience-performer visibility. It's performing center stage, and directly facing the audience that brings up the left/right personal preferences.

Though I of course realize what a silly inconsequential topic this is, I still have to admit that everytime I go to see keyboard/vocalist' perform, I'm always checking to see (especially if they are situated center stage) which side of the KB they put their mic stand. So far my observations have been pretty evenly split: 50/50. It's interesting that most people DO seem to have a preference but most can't explain why. Perhaps we should all try an experiment & place our mic stands on the opposite side to what we're currently accustomed to see how we adjust after a week. I guess I could also begin playing the chords with my right hand and the melody with my left hand, but that's 'another' story. - Scott

Scott,
Thank God you don't have any real problems to worry about!
DonM

Don, I'm sure I have as many 'real' problems to deal with as the next guy, but I suppose I just find it fasinatingly amusing to observe those inconsequential imponderables of life, like: Why do dogs have to walk 3 times in a circle before they lie down? When do Fish Sleep? Where did the term jay-walking, and word ladybug come from, and why is an outdoor bazaar called a flea market anyway?

Answers to these can be found in David Feldman's amusing books, or at: http://www.imponderables.com/

I find sharing these with my audience often makes for interesting stage patter. See this topic thread for more stage patter ideas: http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/007913.html

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 12-19-2003).]

Left but can do right if the setup warrants it.

Tom

Center with my Apex stand also, but would otherwise set the boom to my right. Dunno why, I'm left handed. I usually set up on the left side of the stage, but I think on the right is where I saw others use it in pictures and TV.

Speaking of stage placement, I think I set the boom on my right because it goes to the center with all the other junk and gives me an easy way out and off the stage to the left. Oh, how we think.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 12-19-2003).]

When I set up at a grand piano, I always use a left sided mic boom because i sit very far left of center to make my chording hands play in the proper range for my voice. I probably sit a full octave to the left of center, so the distance to the left is shorter. Just makes sense.

I understand you guys can eat meat on Fridays now...
oh...on the right.

Hi Leon,

LOL, we've been able to do that for about 40 years now. However, at 69 and in the Northwest I am losing my taste for beef, particularly local beef.

Tom

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Bigger is not always better

And I thought Mad Cow only existed here in New York on Saturday nights at my gigs when I offend some of the local buxom women in attendance. :-)

I'm curious why almost no one uses a head mic. It would seem to be so much simpler.