Chording to the Dance Masters is a selection of dance tunes that were collected originally between about 1500 and 1620. Printing made many of these tunes popular throughout Europe during these times, some of them composed by the printer/publishers themselves, but many more of them existed previously as rustic dance tunes or popular chansons. The works were originally published to be played by three to five instrumentalists, with no particular instruments specified. They suited consorts or ?choirs? of instruments that were depicted in the illustrations of Agricola, Mersenne and most notably Praetorius and are now preserved in museums around the world.

Many editions exist in the 3, 4 or 5 parts as originally published, and these are an absolute joy to perform from, where the interweaving parts create interesting harmonies that demonstrate the skills of these renaissance composer/arranger/publishers. Playing with modern reproductions of the early instruments will recreate textures and sounds unique to this period. However, not everyone is lucky enough to either own these instruments or else have contact with others with whom they could form ensembles. This book aims to widen the experience out to those who would like to play these tunes on their own or with the accompaniment of a guitar, keyboard or other available chordal instrument. Fake books abound for those who wish to play Jazz, Folk, Classical and Popular music where the melody is annotated with chords so that players can access these tunes in their own way. As far as I am aware, this has not often been done for the player who wishes to busk their way through music of the Renaissance period.

I have attempted to include all the chords implied by the polyphonic parts of the original publications, simply because it is in the transitions of the harmonies under the melodies where the genius of the original arranger/publisher resides. Those who go on to explore the original versions may look forward to the way in which each line presents the player with intrinsically beautiful counter melodies.

At first, the rapidity of chord changing can be a bit daunting, so I have marked out what I consider to be the essential chords for accompaniment in boxes. Playing just these will provide adequate accompaniment, whilst leaving the more adventurous scope to enhance their performance by referencing some of the other chords. You can hear the chording arrangements together with the original 3, 4 or 5 part versions of all 44 pieces on a YouTube playlist which has been made as a companion to this volume at

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYRWH2nycMkMoIoEYEMVPa_EXY6NVDpNS

As well as the solo or player in a duo, this book would also be of value for someone who is used to reading chords rather than melody lines wishing to join in with a renaissance consort. The selection I have chosen represents quite a few of the ?standards? that have become regularly played since the revival of renaissance music in the late 1960s. It is hoped that should this volume prove popular, companion volumes with all the parts provided for the same pieces could make essential repertoire for the budding renaissance dance consorts of the future.

Song List:

Andy Renwick's Ferret

Angus Campbell

Archie Menzies

The Banks Hornpipe

Bear River Jig

Bee's Wing Hornpipe, The

Belfast hornpipe, The

Belfast Jig

Big John McNeil

Bonaparte Crossing The Alps

Bonniest Lass in a' the World, The

Bonny Lass of Fisherrow, The

Bonny Lea Rig, The

Brae Reel, The

Braes of Auchtertyre, The

Brenda Stubbert's Reel

Caber Feidh

Cape Breton Wedding Reel, The

Captain Campbell

Carleton County Breakdown

Carnie's Canter

Chaisson Reel, The

Cheticamp Reel, The

Chorus Jig

Come Under My Plaidie

Compliments To Buddy Macmaster

Cutting Ferns

Darlin' Don't You Meddle Me

Delphine's Reel

Democratic Rage, The

Devil In The Kitchen

Dillon Brown

Dinkie's Reel

Don't Be Teasing

Dr Keith, Aberdeen

Dragger's Reel, The

Drunken piper, The

Dublin Porter

Duke of Gordon's Birthday, The

Durang's Hornpipe

East Neuk of Bear River, The

Emil Gaudet's Reel

Farmer's Daughter, The

Farmer's Reel, The

Fay's Hornpipe

Fermoy Lasses

Fig For A Kiss

Fisher's Hornpipe (F Setting)

Fred Wilson's Hornpipe

Glencoe March

Green Meadow Reel

Haggis, The

Hector's Fancy

Hector's New Dance Hall

High Level Hornpipe, The

Homeward Bound

Honeymoon, The

Inverness Jig

Irishman's Heart To The Ladies

Iron Man, The

Island Boy

Jack Webster's Reel

Jackson's Jig

Jenny Dang The Weaver

JEROME'S FAREWELL TO GIBRALTAR

Jerry Holland's Jig

Joe Kearney's Reel

Joe MacInnis' March

Kenmure's On and Awa', Willie

Killiecrankie

Koehler's Hornpipe

Lad O'beirne's Reel

Lasses of Glenaladale, The

Levantine's Barrel

Light and Airy

Little Donald In The Pigpen

Little Jack's Reel

Londonderry Hornpipe

Lord Gordon

Lord MacDonald's Reel

Macdonald's March Reel

Mackinnon's Rant

Marchioness of Tullibardine, The

Marie ? Pierre

Marquis of Huntly, The

Meeting of Waters, The

Miller o' Drone, The

Miller's Reel

Miramichi Fire, The

Miss Barker's Hornpipe

Miss Georgina Campbell

Miss Gordon

Miss Lyall Strathspey

Miss Maxwell

Mr. Murray

Munlochy Bridge

Munster Lass, The

North Side of the Grampians, The

Northside Tune

Orange and Blue, The

Ottawa Valley Reel

Paddy On The Turnpike

Pigeon On The Gatepost

Plains of Boyle, The

Poppy Leaf, ThePride of the Ball

Prince Edward Island Wedding Reel

Princess Reel

River Bend Jig

Robert Cormack, Aberdeen

Robert Stubbert

Rock Valley Jig

Rose in the Garden, The

Rose of Tennessee, The

Rothiemurchus Rant, The

Royal Circus Jig

Shandon Bells

Shores of Lough Gowna, The

Silver and Gold

Sleepy Maggie

Souris Breakwater

Southern Melody

St Anne's Reel -Original Version

St Anne's Reel -Prince County Version

St Kilda Wedding

Stack Of Barley

Stella's Trip To Kamloops

Stool of Repentance, The

Teviot Bridge

Trip To Windsor

West Point Jig

When I Go Out the Door

Where the North River Flows

Whiskey Jig

Wilfred's Fiddle

You Married My Daughter, and Yet�