The dancing master; or, Directions for dancing country
dances, with the tunes to each dance, for the treble-violin.
The 10th ed. corrected; with addition of several new dances
and tunes never before printed.
CREATED/PUBLISHED [London] Printed by J. Heptinstall,
for H. Playford, 1698.
SUMMARY 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."
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