The dancing-master; or, Directions for dancing country-dances
Subtitle: with the tunes to each dance, for the treble-violin. Vol. the 2d.
Contributors: Playford, John, 1623-1686?
Edition: 4th ed., containing 360 of the choicest old and new tunes now used at court, and other publick places. The whole work revised and done on the new-ty'd-note, and much more correct than any former editions.
Publisher: Printed by W. Pearson and sold by J. Young
Published: 1728
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 360
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, first by John Playford (1623-1686?), then by Henry Playford, and, after 1706, by the publisher John Young. The treatise is considered an important work on English country dance, a form of dance where couples perform a series of set patterns. The work utilizes a rudimentary dance notation, and page one of the treatise is devoted to an explanation of the symbols. Each of the 360 dances contained in this last edition is given appropriate music, in the form of a treble line. Most of the dances are designated for longways sets of three couples, four couples, or "as many as will."
Notes: First ed. published 1650 by John Playford under title: The English dancing-master.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as facsimile page images.