What's the deal with having a rubberband or whatever on your fingers while playing?

[TVTiZtiK]

What's the deal with the players Phil Demmel having a rubberband type thing around their fingers when they play?





I can't help but think that it must be rather uncomfortable to play like that. Is there some sort of benefit to it? Like does it increase strength or speed or what's the deal?:think:

[Grandturk]

Does he put it over the strings when he does tapping parts? To help mute the strings? That's the only thing I can think of.

[VitaminG]

maybe it helps control fly-away fingers

[nhspike]

He uses it as a reminder that he needs to have a drink between songs.
hehe
Actually, that's the first time I've ever seen that.
Probably does it so we have threads like this.

[SEEGERMANY]

It's weird as shit. At first, I thought he may have had a hand injury and a therapist was trying to limit his ROM. The more I look at it, I think it's for his hair.

[Endrik]

it's "hey girls, I like bandaging"

[nhspike]

It appears to be restricting his movement, as he's fretting 2 frets away and having to use his pinky, and barely making it.

Looks like he's in pain too.

Must be just awful.

"I'm so good, I have to use artificial means in order to make playing more difficult. Otherwise, guitarists in the audience will totally hate me and we won't sell any CD's."

[DocNrock]

Bowflex for guitarists!

[Franx]

... The more I look at it, I think it's for his hair.

my first thought, too (I always put them "somewhere" and never find one, when I need one)

[Jayster]

I'm not sure about the rubber band, but dosn't Kirk Hammet tape his fingers between the knuckle and first joint ? I'm positive I've seen pictures of this.

Medical benifit, superstition or drug use? I've got no idea. Very interesting though, hehehehehe how many of you guys are looking for a rubber band, to see what the effect is ?

Jay

[Ben...]

Maybe he's trying to make his fingers stronger and is using that as resistance?

[åron]

He probably put it there randomly during a show and played the set of his life and when it goes down like that the compulsive get all kinds of crazy habits. I have a couple... good times!

That Demmel V is sick... because it has no sharkies:ROTF:

[Foulacy]

i honestly looks like a hair-tie.

[phill_up]

photoshop?

[StukaJU87]

Maybe superstition or something. I have a fellow range instructor that shows up every day with a ring of duct tape around the second joint of the ring finger of his support hand. Never asked him why though.