The dancing master; or, Directions for dancing country dances
Subtitle: with the tunes to each dance, for the treble-violin.
Contributors: Playford, John, 1623-1686?; Playford, Henry, b. 1657.
Edition: 10th ed. corrected; with addition of several new dances and tunes never before printed.
Publisher: Printed by J. Heptinstall, for H. Playford
Published: 1698
Place of publication: [London]
Language: eng
Subjects: Dance -- England -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. -- Early works to 1800.; Country-dances.; Violin music.; Dance Instruction and Technical Manuals.; Notation for Dance.; Music for Dance.
Genres: Handbooks, manuals, etc.; Early works to 1800.
Other titles: Directions for dancing country dances; English dancing master.
Description: Originally published in 1650 under the title of The English dancing master, this work went through numerous editions from 1652 to 1728. Compiled by John Playford (1623-1687), a publisher of music books, the treatise is considered an important work on English country dances, a form of dance where couples perform a series of set patterns. In this tenth edition, Henry Playford notes that he has made corrections and added several new dances and tunes. The work utilizes a rudimentary dance notation and page one of the treatise is devoted to an explanation of the symbols. Part one contains 215 dances; part two has 46 dances and additional music for "A new spanish entry and saraband," as danced by Monsieur L'Abbe. Appropriate music, in the form of a treble line, is provided for each dance. Most of the dances are designated for longways sets of three couples, four couples, or "as many as will."
Notes: Vol. 2, 2d ed., has imprint: Printed for H. Playford, 1698.
First ed. published 1651 [i.e. 1650] under title: The English dancing-master.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as facsimile page images.