A good part of Simpson’s compositions is contained in theoretical publications, notably Divisions — a type of variations on a theme in the Bass — in his own “The Division-Violist, or An Introduction to the Playing Upon a Ground” (London, 1659, written for John Bolles), praised by Jenkins, Coleman, and Locke; its practical approach to instruction is reflected in the titles of its three sections: “Of the Viol it self, with Instructions how to Play upon it,” “Use of the Concords, or a Compendium of Descant,” and “The Method of ordering Division to a Ground.”; revised 2nd edition in 1665 as “Chelys minuritionum artificio exornata: The Division-viol, or the Art of Playing Extempore upon a Ground”, Airs — a genre fit for vocal singing — in his “The Principles of Practical Musick” (London, 1665, inspired by another pupil, Sir John St. Barbe; augmented and revised in 1667 as “a Compendium of Practical Musick”). He further wrote — all in manuscript and for the Viol, with or without other instruments, but varying in difficulty — more Divisions, Airs, and another pair of instrumental genres, Fantasias and Fantasy-suites. He also annotated the section on Thomas Campion in John Playford’s “A Brief Introduction to the Skill of Musick” (2n ed., London, 1655).

• Months and Seasons