Performing musicians

[Marine2141]

I just got my first kilt, and intend on wearing it when my band does shows. I am a bassist, and am wondering what the consensus is regarding wearing the sporran while playing a guitar. Since I tend to wear my bass on around hip level, I feel that the sporran will get in the way. If this is in the wrong section, please feel free to move it.

[Todd Bradshaw]

After a bit of experimentation, having a sporran front and center would seem to be no good for playing bass. You could always spin it around to the back, like pipe band drummers do - though just shifting it over to the opposite hip from the bass seems to get it out of the way just fine. I suppose going without one might be the best idea, although I saw plenty of green rooms and club offices where I wouldn't have wanted to leave my wallet during a gig.

[Marine2141]

After a bit of experimentation, having a sporran front and center would seem to be no good for playing bass. You could always spin it around to the back, like pipe band drummers do - though just shifting it over to the opposite hip from the bass seems to get it out of the way just fine. I suppose going without one might be the best idea, although I saw plenty of green rooms and club offices where I wouldn't have wanted to leave my wallet during a gig.

Nice collection of basses! Looks like you have an affinity for fretless basses.

Unfortunately, spinning the sporran to the side isn't an option..as I use hangers (I've got a bit of a belly, and it gets highlighted when I use a sporran belt). I can, however, leave it with my wife or stash it on stage behind my cabinet.

[OC Richard]

Yes as you point out it's SOP for drummers to move their sporrans to the side:



They are simply doing whatever is needed to get the sporran out of the way, so whatever a guitarist has to do seems equally sensible to me.

BTW not all performing musicians need to do this... I'm a piper and my sporran can stay in its normal place

[MinusHD]

That's a beautiful Pedulla! I used to own a Pentabuzz, but it never got enough use so I sold it. I've played one of Mike's Thunderbass ET-5's as my main axe for the past 23 years... Pedulla's are simply amazing instruments.

I wear my basses a little higher than you do, so sporran front and center works alright for me when playing kilted, but sliding to the side is completely acceptable. Sorry for the poor image quality here:

[Marine2141]

That's a beautiful Pedulla! I used to own a Pentabuzz, but it never got enough use so I sold it. I've played one of Mike's Thunderbass ET-5's as my main axe for the past 23 years... Pedulla's are simply amazing instruments.

I wear my basses a little higher than you do, so sporran front and center works alright for me when playing kilted, but sliding to the side is completely acceptable. Sorry for the poor image quality here:

I'm just gonna experiment a bit and see what feels the best to me. That tartan you are wearing in the pic is beautiful.

[MinusHD]

I'm just gonna experiment a bit and see what feels the best to me. That tartan you are wearing in the pic is beautiful.

Thanks! That's a USA Kilts 8-yard wool (ex-rental) in Rocky's American Heritage Tartan. I love it.