Title:

The English Dancing Master

Author:

John Playford

Links:

Facsimile of first edition

Transcription of first edition

Date:

1651

Region:

England

A manual of music and instructions for English Country Dances. First edition published in 1651, second edition 1653.

Kettle Drum

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Square for eight

Difficulty:

Moderate

Source:

Playford

Music:

Midi (1 repeat of 3) and melody dots

abcnotation.com

Merry Merry Milkmaids

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Longways for eight

Difficulty:

Moderate

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by David Yardley

Recording (Part 3 of track 3) from the Country Capers CD by the New York Renaissance Band

Wherligig

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Longways for six

Difficulty:

Hard

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by David Yardley

Newcastle

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Square for eight

Difficulty:

Hard

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by David Yardley

Recording from the Ansteorran Dance Symposium CD

Argeers

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Square for four

Difficulty:

Hard

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by David Yardley

Recording from the Companions of St. Cecilia CD (Vol2)

Grimstock

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Longways for six

Difficulty:

Moderate

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by David Yardley

Recording from the Companions of St. Cecilia CD (Vol2)

Jenny Plucks Pears

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Circle for couples

Difficulty:

Easy

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by Robert Stockton

Recording from the Companions of St. Cecilia CD (Vol2)

Part 2 of track 1 from the Country Capers CD by the New York Renaissance Band

Rufty, Tufty

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Square for four

Difficulty:

Easy

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by David Yardley

Recording from the Companions of St. Cecilia CD (Vol2)

Recording (Part 1 of track 1) from the Country Capers CD by the New York Renaissance Band

Hearts Ease

Type:

Country Dance

Configuration:

Square for four

Difficulty:

Easy

Source:

Playford

Music:

Arrangement by Phaedria

Recording by the Debateable Consort, from the Tape of Dance volume 2

Recording (Part 2 of track 1) from the Country Capers CD by the New York Renaissance Band