The Dancing Master

The English Dancing Master, subtitles Plaine and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to each Dance, is a 1651 book published by John Playford in London reference book that describes 105 at that time popular English Dances, including the corresponding melody. The English Dancing Master is an important historical document of English society dance.

The great success of the first edition prompted Playford, to change the title to The Dancing Master and to publish further editions, two additional volumes and numerous additions in the subsequent period. To date together 24 editions all editions all volumes were printed and sold, the last edition was published in 1728. Taken together, describes the Dancing Master 1053 dances including melody, melodies 186 without dance and 3 songs.