How many of you do this when playing bass?

[AQUANOVA]

I've noticed that there's something that I do subconsciously when I'm playing.
I've been doing it a long time and have no control over it.

Between phrases in a line, I move my left hand up the fretboard and then back, for no apparent reason.
Just a quick exit from the position I'm in and then back, to start the next phrase.

I was watching MarlowDK on YouTube today, and I noticed that he does the same thing.
So now I'm rather happy that I do it.

How many of you do this when you're playing?
It seem as if it would be counter productive, but I just have to do it.
Any ideas why?

[Plays_For_Dog]

Helps you keep time subconciously. It's like tapping your toe.

I don't do it that often. I do have restless legs while playing. :/

[Salamenster]

I do it occasionally, but than with the sound included. You know: "WHOOOOooooM". It's cool.

[MostlyBass]

It's fun and can also be used as a muting technique. Nothing wrong with UNLESS it interferes.

[Tupac]

I see pros do this all the time for seemingly no reason. Always wondered why they did this. I figured they just do it out of boredom and to look cooler.

[Kmonk]

I do the same thing without thinking about it. I think its something I picked up from the first guitarist I played with. He was a huge influence on me and it was because if him that I started playing music.

[mellowinman]

When my wife plays a rest or open note, she does something that looks vaguely like she's saluting. I don't know why, and neither does she. She just does it.

I like to pretend it's necessary for my hand to be on the neck, as if playing is actually harder than it is, just like on keyboards, I often pretend to be playing with my left hand, when usually, I am not.

We all have our ways, I guess.

[Steve Dallman]

Like guitar players that turn up the volume knob between every phrase even though its been up all set?

[bobm2112]

I do it to this day. I cant remember why or when I started. I bet I saw Cliff Burton or Steve Harris do it so I started and its been there ever since.

[bluewine]

I'm not sure, I think I just stay in position.

Blue

[smcfarland1337]

Yeah I do it as well.
I always without fail do it when I play Sunshine of Your Love.

Da-dada *slide to nowhere* DA daa.

Every time.

[two fingers]

I do it too. Especially when I'm playing a funk line or something with a lot of space in it. But people are always fascinated with the fact that I chew gum when I play, but I chew out of time. I get comments on that all the time. They say "How do you play one tempo and chew another?" I don't know. I just do.

[Thick McRunfast]

Relieve muscle tension and reorient to "home"?

[mjac28]

I move my mouth almost like a silent mumbling.

[Epitaph04]

Yep.

[david_aa]

I do that when I'm soloing (I hate this silly movement). When I'm comping, I don't do that. I don't know why. Maybe it's a reminiscent of my past as rock guitarist

[DiabolicLow B]

Yep me too, I've been doing it for years and when I am aware of it happening it really bothers me but I can't seem to stop!

[Gab124]

I only seem to do it when I really feel like I am in the pocket. If I have any question as to being locked in or otherwise learning the song I don't.

[ffutterman]

I always saw pros do it and wondered why, since it obviously doesn't do anything. Then as I practiced more, it just kind of happened and I figured "Oh...I guess I do that now."

[Stewie26]

Originally Posted by Thick McRunfast

Relieve muscle tension and reorient to "home"?

+1 I was just going to post the same thing about the "Home" position and then read your post.