Period: English Renaissance
Source: Playford's Dancing Master (1651)
Difficulty: Early Intermediate
Notes Used: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C (high), D (high)
Time Signature: 4/4
Key: C Major
A charming English country dance with a pastoral theme, perfect for outdoor celebrations.
Review the C Major scale.
Practice the ascending opening.
Master the smooth descent.
Work on the answering phrase.
Practice the closing gesture.
"All in a Garden Green" comes from John Playford's "The English Dancing Master," first published in 1651. This collection preserved hundreds of English country dances that might otherwise have been lost. The title evokes the pastoral setting where such dances would have been performed - on village greens during festivals and celebrations. These country dances were social dances performed in lines or circles, accessible to people of all classes. Unlike formal court dances, country dances were characterized by their simplicity, cheerfulness, and communal nature. Playford's collection was enormously popular, going through multiple editions until 1728. The recorder was a common instrument for playing dance music in taverns, homes, and outdoor gatherings. This dance's stepwise motion and clear phrase structure make it ideal for dancing and easy to remember.
Once you can play this dance confidently, try: