The English Dancing Master, published in 1651, functioned as a definitive collection of music and choreography that cemented the reputation of John Playford within the seventeenth-century London trade. Operating from a shop in the porch of Temple Church, he managed to dominate the English music publishing market throughout the Commonwealth period and well into the reign of Charles II.
Early Career and Commercial Rise
Born in 1623 in Norwich, Playford moved to London to complete an apprenticeship with the publisher John Benson between 1639 and 1647. After his tenure as an English Civil War correspondent, where he was captured by Cromwell's men, he established his independent business. He served as clerk to Temple Church and resided above his shop with his wife, Hannah, until 1659. During this era, his storefront became a central hub for musical enthusiasts, attracting regular clients such as Samuel Pepys.
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As a member of the Stationers' Company, Playford issued music theory texts, instructional manuals, and church psalters. In 1658, he introduced a significant typographical improvement known as the new-ty'd note, which connected quavers and semiquavers with horizontal strokes. By 1665, he began barring semibreves in dance music and, in 1672, initiated engraving on copper plates. Despite these advancements, he maintained some conservative practices, such as advocating for lute tablature for violinists and opposing Thomas Salmon regarding the adjustment of clefs.
Restoration Efforts and Final Years
During the Restoration, Playford sought to preserve serious musical tastes, dedicating Cantica Sacra to Queen Henrietta Maria in 1662. He expressed frustration in 1666 regarding the decline of solemn music, prompting his 1674 release of Skill of Music and the 1677 publication of The Whole Book of Psalms. Moving to a house in Arundel Street by 1680, he suffered from a long illness and transitioned business control to his son, Henry Playford. He released a final collection of catches in 1685 and died in 1686, with his funeral attended by composers Henry Purcell and John Blow.
Fast facts
- Born: 1623, Norwich
- Died: 1686, London
- Citizenship: Kingdom of England
- Known for: The English Dancing Master (1651)
- Occupations: Composer, printer, publisher, musicologist
- Notable innovation: New-ty'd note (1658)
- Primary residence: Temple Church, London
Questions readers ask
Did John Playford compose the tunes in his dance collections?
While many tunes are attributed to him, he likely did not write them; they were mostly popular melodies that already existed.
Who continued the business after Playford died?
His only surviving son, Henry Playford, managed the shop and continued the family publishing trade.
