What is this Index?

This  index  is  a  guide  to  locating  instructions  and music, both
recorded  and  printed,  for  over  2000  English and American country
dances  in  over  300  books  and  recordings.  The  index is designed
primarily to aid dance leaders and musicians who use material from the
Country  Dance  and  Song  Society and the English Folk Dance and Song
Society. Most of the items are available for purchase from them or are
in  their  libraries.   Many  may  also be found in other libraries or
private collections.

The  dances  are listed alphabetically with a list of sources for each
dance.  Other information is also given as shown in the example below:
   Sweet Richard     Amer 1780   Lng Tri   *Reel AA,12,12
       R   CDIC 1   Amer C D Rev Era  (114) Reel AA,12,12 *8
       IM  Amer C D Revolutionary Era, p 45
The  first  line  indicates  that  Sweet  Richard is an American dance
published  in  1780 and is a progressive, triple minor longways dance.
The  "*"  indicates  that  there  is  a  specific  tune which is often
associated  with  the  dance. The dance requires a reel with two 8-bar
phrases  (AA) plus two 12-bar phrases.  The second line indicates that
recorded music can be found on record number CDIC 1, _American Country
Dances of the Revolutionary Era 1775-1795._ The music has the required
rhythm  and  structure and is played eight times through at a tempo of
114  beats per minute. The third line indicates that both instructions
(I)  and  printed music (M) can be found on page 45 of the book of the
same  title.   (The  full  title, as well as other information, can be
found  in  the  list  of  books/recordings  indexed.   Other codes and
abbreviations are explained in the following pages.)

Please  notice  that  this index departs from the more common usage of
"AABB"  notation  for  musical  phrases.   In  this index, each letter
represents  8  bars  and  numbers  are  used to represent other phrase
lengths.   The intent is to identify the true length of the phrases to
help in interpreting the movements and to help in locating alternative
music with suitable phrase lengths.  Whereas most sources refer to the
music  for  Black  Nag as "AABB", this index calls it "ABB" indicating
that  the  whole  dance  uses  only  24  bars (the single "A" actually
representing the two 4-bar phrases).

It  is  hoped  that  such  information  can  help  the user locate the
"proper"  source  for a dance or else find a suitable alternative.  To
help  locate  an  suitable  recording,  a supplement has been included
listing  recordings  grouped  by  rhythm.   Within  each  rhythm,  the
recordings  are  listed  in  order  of  increasing number of bars, and
within  the  same  lengths,  in the order of increasing tempo. Another
supplement lists dances by formation. This is intended to help leaders
plan a varied program.

No attempt has been made to individually index all the American square
dances,  round  dances,  and  play  party games.  Also none of the old
78-rpm  records  are  included.  Except  in  a  few cases, printed and
recorded  music  is  indexed only where specific connection is made to
the  dance either by name or by direct reference.  Several sources are
collections of tunes that are suitable for more than just one specific
dance and therefore are only partially indexed.

Source  entries  in  the  index are brief.  Please look at the list of
books and recordings indexed for further information including whether
the  source  is  out  of print or if chords are given with the printed
music.

Nationality  and  historical  classification  often can not be clearly
defined.  Many English authors are writing dances in an American style
and vice versa.  Generally, the nation of origin is listed.

Obviously such an index is dated material.  Write CDSS for information
on updates.


                              Peter Rogers, compiler
                              Frankfort, KY, USA
                              December 12, 1986