The Mazy Circles of the Dance Notations in the Manuscripts of the Lowe Collection

Abstract

Several books and manuscripts in the Lowe family collection are dance masters' manuals containing instructions and descriptions for the performance of actual compositions, as opposed to discussion about dancing as a desirable social activity. and how to dress up and behave politely.

Two different kinds of notation are involved in the dance descriptions. In A Work Book by Kellom Tomlinson the steps and floor patterns or 'figures' are conveyed in detail through the symbols of the French baroque dance notation-solo and couple dances in his own compositions as well as in copies of other publications of the day. In the manuscript titled 'Dance Book' and written by T.B. in the year 1826, (illustration two) the notation shows couple and group dances; the starting positions and floor patterns are still graphically rendered but the actual steps are no longer shown in symbols. These appear instead in the accompanying word notes simply as names; elsewhere in the manuscript there are verbal descriptions of how they should be done.