Updated 10/16/2025
f you’ve ever had zills that pinched, slipped, or turned your fingertips purple halfway through class, you know the struggle. I spent years sewing and resewing elastic until one day I grabbed a hair tie out of my dance bag in frustration—and it worked. That tiny moment of desperation turned into one of my favorite classroom hacks. Hair elastics (ponytail holders) make the best zill bands I’ve ever used. They’re soft on your skin, firm enough to stay in place, and stretchy enough to handle a little weight or swelling in your fingers. No sewing, no needle pricks, no mess.
When I first tried it, I half expected them to snap mid-drill, but they held strong through months of shimmy drills, long rehearsals, and sweaty festival days. The bonus? You can swap them between fingers or between sets of zills in seconds.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your zills (finger cymbals)
- A flat tool like a butter knife or small screwdriver
- A set of 1-inch rolled-fabric ponytail holders—the kind you can unroll a bit with your fingers. Avoid the super-thick or coated rubbery ones; they don’t pull through as easily and tend to slip.
Now, get cozy at a table or counter with good lighting—this is quick, but the first one might take a little patience.
- Hold one elastic against the underside of a zill.
- Use your butter knife or screwdriver to push a section of the elastic through one slot from underneath. When you see it peek through the top, grab it and pull gently.
- Do the same through the second slot so you have two small loops on top.
- Adjust the loops so they’re even, then give them a gentle tug to make sure they’re snug.
Repeat with your other zills. That’s it—no sewing, no fraying edges, no adjusting mid-performance.
If your fingers are tiny and the fit feels loose, tie a little knot in the middle of each elastic before threading it through. It shortens the loop just enough to keep your cymbals steady.
Keeping your zills happy
Once you’ve made the switch, you’ll probably never go back. The elastics hold up through months of practice, but I like to check mine every few weeks—if they look stretched or shiny, it’s time to swap them out. They’re cheap, quick to replace, and honestly kind of fun to match to your costume colors.
One last thought: it’s easy to forget how much comfort matters until your fingers go numb mid-song. When your zills fit right, your tone steadies, your confidence lifts, and your whole body moves cleaner. That little circle of fabric around your finger? It’s the quiet hero of your performance.