Dale, Joseph (1750-1821)

Joseph Dale composed some works of his own for tambourine that were aimed at an ever-increasing number of middle-class music customers; of these, the most significant is undoubtedly his Grand Sonata, Op.18 for pianoforte and tambourine, with accompaniments for flute, violin and basso. It contains a variety of choreographic turns for the tambourine player to include. The work’s title page suggests that the tambourine parts were in fact written by Dale’s son, Joseph Dale Junior; it contains a dedication to the Duchess of Dorset, presumably Arabella Diana Cope. The work is structured in three movements: an allegro, a siciliana and a rondo. The pretty and colourful designs on the frame of Dale’s tambourines are similar to that seen on square pianos from the same period, and as such look to be specifically designed to appeal to contemporary feminine taste. Laura Vorachek notes that the smaller size and affordability of the square piano saw its rise as a popular instrument in the music education of middle-class girls during the late eighteenth century, and the similarities with the tambourine in terms of decoration and appeal are quite striking.