If you want to take your authenticity up a notch and open up your drumming technique, chances are you should be wearing your sling around the neck and not over the shoulder.
Are you not sure whether a neck sling or shoulder sling is more appropriate for your impression? Keep reading.
Do you know that you should be wearing neck slings, but worry it will hurt your back? Or that you’ll struggle to march correctly? I’d like to convince you that a neck sling is very approachable.
Evidence for Neck Slings
Most 18th century Drummers are certainly familiar with the slings (commonly called carriages or belts at this time) that go around the neck and not over the shoulder.
While it is not ahistorical to have a sling that goes over the right shoulder, 18th century French, British, and American drummers appear to mostly wear neck slings.
Even into the 19th century, most American drummers wear neck slings throughout the century. British drummers wear neck slings for at least the beginning of the century.
British Slings: Neck Slings until the mid-19th Century
18th and early-19th century British drummers wore neck slings.
Picture evidence from the 18th century show this is true around the French and Indian War.
And continues into the Revolutionary War.
In the early-19th century, Potter’s manual describes the correct manner of holding the drum with a neck sling:
“Let the Boys Drum be slung on the Neck being careful the Drum Carriage is of moderate length, the Drum bearing on the left Thigh, so that when the Knee is beat [bent?] the Drum balances on it, if the Carriage is too long it will prevent the Boys striking the Drum with that force required.”
Potter (2)
This is still true by the mid-19th century, as described in Tamplini’s Drum-Major (10). Crimean War images indicate that drummers were still wearing neck slings.
It doesn’t seem to be until the late 19th century when shoulder slings become common.
American Slings: Neck Slings throughout the 19th century
Unfortunately, there are really no period images, extant slings, or drum manuals for American drummers in the 18th century.
Do you have period resources on American slings or any period images, paintings, or sketches of American drummers from the Revolutionary War or War of 1812? Please contact me or share the info in the comments below.
Based on how many cues and traditions the American army is taking from the British (especially all the British music), 18th century American drummers are probably wearing neck slings.
This is largely confirmed by 19th century American sources. David Hazeltine (American, 1817) explains that:
“The drum should be held on the left side, just above the knee; the belt passing round the neck, and coming down over the breast, in such manner as to be held perfectly easy.”
Hazeltine (3)
Similar remarks appear in Rumrille (American; 1817).
This continues into the American Civil War, where the majority of drummers wore neck slings. Bruce & Emmett (1862) and Howe (1862) give similar instructions as Hazeltine.
George Bruce explains that the belt should be:
“attached to the cord at the upper hoop, causing the drum to hang obliquely; in which position the performer will find the head just right for the sticks to come in contact with, while the drum, if carefully balanced, can be easily managed while marching, without striking the hoops.”
Bruce & Emmett (4-5)
Elias Howe makes essentially the same remarks (4).
We can see this in practice in the American Civil War photograph below of a Drum Sergeant instructing a drummer.
And we can see how ubiquitous the habit was in this Civil War drum corps, where all the drummers wear neck slings.
French Slings: Neck Slings in the 18th century
Like the British, 18th century images show French drummers wearing neck slings.
We see this clearly for early 18th century drummers in the series of images from “de Infanterie et Gardes françaises vers 1721”, in which all the drummers wear neck slings. For an example, see the plate below:
Watteau (c. 1720s) also depicts drummers wearing neck slings.
Later French sources indicate this was still common in the late 18th century.
Do you have any period French resources explaining how to wear a sling? Please contact me or share the info in the comments below.
At some point in the 19th century, French drummers seem to shift to shoulder slings. Certainly, by the late 19th century the French are using them. In the drum manual Methode de Tambour by Joly (1880), we see an image of a French drummer wearing a shoulder sling (p. 9).
At some point in the 19th century, French drummers seem to shift to shoulder slings. Certainly, by the late 19th century the French are using them. In the drum manual Methode de Tambour by Joly (1880), we see an image of a French drummer wearing a shoulder sling (p. 9).
German Slings: Shoulder Slings in the 19th Century
The only evidence I’ve found so far for shoulder slings in the 18th century is with German drummers.
The best example comes from an Austrian drill manual, in which the drummer clearly wears a shoulder sling.
Why Should You Use a Neck Sling?
Besides improving your period impression, neck slings also help improve your drumming technique.
Cuthbertson – an 18th century British military writer – comments:
“As a carriage slung from the neck, places the Drum more conveniently for the performance of the beatings, than hanging it from the shoulder, that position should be observed, from the first instructing of the Boys, it being an observation, that very few excel upon the Drum, who sling it otherwise.”
Culbertson (104)
Wearing a neck carriage allows the drum to fall into a more natural and correct position to accommodate the traditional grip.
The over-the-shoulder sling naturally allows the drum to rest more to the left of the body than balanced over the left thigh. This tends to force the drummer to either squeeze their elbow against their side, inhibiting its movement.
Similarly, this position forces the right arm to come more across the body than preferred.
Take note of this British drummer’s posture. With the neck carriage, the drum head is almost to the center of the body. This keeps the shoulders and hips forward, so the drummer can maintain the correct arm position.
How to Master Waring a Neck Sling
Many people find wearing a neck sling difficult for numerous reasons:
- Some find it difficult to control the drum while wearing it.
- Some find neck slings bother their back or neck.
Both of these issues are actually very correctable with some adjustments.
Proper Placement of Sling
Many drummers try to wear the neck sling almost straight down.
Potter and the 19th century American sources remind us that the belt should go over the head and then angled so that it rests over the left breast.
When the sling rests over the left breast, it allows the drumhead to hang naturally to the center of the body. It the sling falls perfectly straight, then the drum will angle slightly to the right.
Additionally, the length of the carriage should be modified so that the upper hoop of the drum is about even with the hip. This will allow the bulk of the drum’s body to rest against the left thigh.
Study the image below for an excellent period example of how to properly wear the neck sling:
Notice how the sling rests over his left breast.
The drum rests just below his hip.
The drum head is centered on his body.
The body of the drum rests against the meat of his left thigh.
Because of the correct height and because the drum sits centered on his body, this drummer has excellent posture. His shoulders and hips are square to the front. His arm position is natural and correct.
Walking with a Neck Sling
Many drummers have either struggled to master walking with a neck sling or worry about finding it difficult.
In order to walk naturally with a neck sling, first you need to rest the drum comfortably against the left thigh. The drum should angle across the meat of the thigh.
As you walk, don’t lift your knee. If you do, your knee with knock the drum and make it swing around your body.
Instead, allow the leg to “glide” naturally. You want the drum to sway with the movement of your leg so it doesn’t get bumped around.
Posture: How to Avoid a Sore Neck & Back
If you want to avoid a sore neck and back, you’ll need to develop your posture. This will be the hardest part to develop.
- First, focus on engaging your core and holding the weight of the drum with your lower back.
- Second, keep your chest out.
- Third, don’t look down at your drum. This will place more stress on your neck. Keep your eyes forward and chin up.
Every time you play (whether on a practice pad or drum), think about your posture and arm position. This is a great habit to get into and will help prevent neck or back pain while using a neck sling.
Want to learn more about 18th Century French or British / American drumming? Check out:
Would you like to learn more about grip and performance technique? Check out:
Do you have any questions, comments, or concerns about wearing a neck sling? Contact me or comment below.
