Playford’s Dancing Master: The Compleat Dance Guide

An exhaustive collection, catalogue, and index of all dances published in editions of the Dancing Master, 1651-1728

  • SCA Playford
  • Playford (Vol 1)
  • Indexes (Vol 1)
  • Vols 2&3
  • Indexes 2&3
  • All Dances
  • Glossary
  • About
    • Bio

Most Common Dance Figures

Some steps or figures are more common in Playford’s Dancing Master than others. Here is a list of dance figures and some qualities of the dances, ranked by how many of the 489 dances use them.

Dance Figure/QualityQuantity
Cast Off322
Cross Line (Change Places)309
Turn Two-Hands262
Turn Single in place202
Set194
Double Up/ Back or Left/Right189
Take Hands & Circle173
Two Lead Through Stationary Two156
Figure Eight135
Meet133
Arm123
Side117
Set & Turn Single Together106
Right-and-Left106
3-Verse: Double, Side, & Arm95
Turn One-Hand87
Slip84
Back-to-Back78
1st Verse: Double Up/Back, Set&TS70
Cast Off & Follow53
Two Lines Act Facing Each Other50
Hey48
Lead/Fall to the Wall48
Hands Across47
Lead Up/Down Abreast44
One-Way Set41
Clap Right & Left38
Turn Single Moving33
Clap33
Put Back31
Follow the Leader23
Go Down the Middle to the Bottom22
Arch19
No Physical Touching16
Honour15
Take Hands Facing Out & Circle15
Circular Hey14
Kiss10
Partner-Swapping10
1st Couple Start Improper9
Double Figure (2nd following)8
Hop/Jump8
Balance Back7
Circle Around Without Hands7
Role Play (Horse/Cobbler/etc.)7
Salute6
Peep/Beckon6
Tap Toes/Elbows6
Foot It5
Gypsy4
Open/Close4
Shake Hands3
Turn Under Arm3
Nod/Rise Onto Toes3
Mirror Hey2
Stamp Feet2
Minuet Step2
Skip1
Sheepskin Hey1
Embrace1
Snap Fingers1
Run1
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