ghter and smiles and
the good things that go with them.

And if all that kind of people will read and appreciate my book, I
shall not miss the others.

But still, to them, as well as to you, I extend

Greetings!

NED WAYBURN

[Illustration: NW]

An Apology

[Illustration]

As a writer of books, I confess myself to be a good stage craftsman.

I have never before attempted authorship, and this volume is simply a
spontaneous outpouring of my personal love and knowledge of a great
art that has filled my years with joy and happiness, and some renown
in the theatrical world.

To have been one modest part of an instrument that has piped to
pleasure many millions of my fellows, is surely justification for
personal satisfaction. How this playing has been done, how it is being
done today in greater degree than ever before, is what I have in mind
to tell a curious public.

And so I became an author for this once, and what you may discover
that I lack in literary ability, let me trust you will find
compensated for in the plainness and simplicity of the facts,
incidents and reminiscences that I relate. If not the manner, at least
the matter is worthy of your approval.

My story is presented in the first person, and this is because I find
it easiest to write from a personal viewpoint--not, I hope, as the
result of any special desire to see the letter I in print. A more
experienced author would be able to write this book with less
suggestion of ego in its pages, I have little doubt, and so I have
called this explanatory word An Apology that you may understand why
things are as they are, and not demand of the tyro the same quality of
literary excellence that you would be justified in expecting of the
better qualified writer.

To paraphrase one of my earliest school-boy speeches,--"If this be an
apology, make the most of it."

[Illustration: NW]

CONTENTS

Page

A Bit of Ancient History 19

Modern Stage Dancing 23

Ned Wayburn--An Inspiration 27

The Ned Wayburn Method of Training 42

Ned Wayburn Stage Dances 57

Ned Wayburn's Foundation Technique 62

Mr. Wayburn Addresses the Beginners' Class