The dancing master: vol. the first : or, directions for dancing country dances, with the tunes to each dance, for the treble-violin /
QS 35.4 Locked Cupboard The dancing master: vol. the first : or, directions for dancing country dances, with the tunes to each dance, for the treble-violin / - The 18th edition, containing 358 of the choicest old and new tunes now used at court, and other publick places. The whole work revised and done in the new-ty'd-note, and much more correct than any former editions. - London : Printed by W. Pearson and sold by Edward Midwinter ... and John Young, [ca. 1728]. - 358 p. : ill., music ; 12 x 22 cm.
The 18th edition is undated. The British Library estimated it at c. 1725 but Margaret Dean-Smith puts it at later than 1728, for various reasons. Probably in the range 1728-1732. Available as photocopy and on microfilm.
Originally published in 1651 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. The 18th edition is the last one of the original run. Information from Dean-Smith (1957)
The dancing master [13th, 14th, 18th and other editions] On microfilm R 006
2247 10498