you ever lick your fingers while playing?

[paparoof]

Saw a band last night with a bass player who would periodically reach his plucking hand up to his mouth and lick his fingers like he was about to turn a page in a book.

Anyone ever hear of this or see this? What's the point?

[staurosjohn]

Saw Crack The Sky- last year at The Recher Theater (Towson, MD)- and Carey Ziegler was repeatedly licking his fingers! I don't know if it helps... I would be afraid if getting some sort of disease!!

[BiigM]

Only before sticking the finger in the drummers ear :-)

[alembicguy]

I've done it but was using bacon and carrot flavored strings.

[musicman666]

^^^MMMMM

[pacojas]

i do it for lubrication, but nose-grease works waaay better!

[esa372]

People are weird.

[Mr_Music90]

I only lick my fingers when I see a bass that gives me GAS xD LOL

[precijazz]

Saw Freddie Washington do this repeatedly during a Steely Dan concert. It seemed to help him nail those Chuck Rainey lines...

[fearceol]

Licking fingers.... using nose oil..... !!

Bassists certailly are filthy bunch !

[HolmeBass]

I don't, but file under "whatever floats your boat". I like to wash my hands before a set and play with clean hands. But if I am unable to, and my hands feel sticky, I have resorted to nose grease. Works ok. Clean hands are better for me.

[paparoof]

Originally Posted by BiigM

Only before sticking the finger in the drummers ear :-)

I pick this answer.

[spacebassed]

Seems like a good way to kill your strings faster. I also play mandolin and acoustic guitar so I've learned just how much faster I kill strings if I don't wash my hands prior to playing. You don't notice it as drastically with bass strings but moisture from your body wreaks havoc on strings. I also be sure to wipe my strings down (top and bottom) after playing - it'll make your strings last much longer.

[geddeeee]

John Deacon from Queen used to do it....

[4001]

Rudy Sarzo...

[TolerancEJ]

Borrowing from the other thread... This could be another way to make others NOT want to borrow your bass during an open jam. Never mind your fingers, just lick the strings where a person would normally pluck, slap, etc.

[cavedweller]

Yeah, I remember Rudy Sarzo would lick his fingers then play over the top of the neck. Looked kinda cool when I was 12...not so much now.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by pacojas

i do it for lubrication, but nose-grease works waaay better!

nose-grease is the best.

Could you imagine if someone bottled it and sold it?

eeww

[millsbass5]

Jesus God, that's goofy as hell. I've used Finger-Ease for well over 25 years. I'll stick with that.

[jaywa]

No way. Great way to get sick if you ask me.

I've also got to think human saliva would cut down on string life pretty substantially.