moderato

Definition: The Italian musical command moderato is an indication to play in a reasonable, moderate tempo; lit. “moderate.”

BPM of Moderato:

• 108-120 beats per minute; between andante and allegro.

Different Uses for Moderato

• When used alongside other types of musical terms, such as mood commands, moderato will indicate the BPM on its own:
  
  ◊  Moderato maestoso: “Moderately and majestically” – an indication to play with dignified passion, and a moderate BPM.



• However, when used with another tempo command, moderato modifies that command’s intensity:
  
  ◊  Allegro moderato: Slightly fast

Also Known As:

• modéré; en modérant (Fr)
• mässig; gemässigt (Ger)

Pronunciation: moh'-dair-AH-toh

BPM also seen as: 88-112


Musical Symbols:

• staccato
• F-clef
• (M.D.) mano destra
• tie
• 15ma

More Musical Terms:

• (sfz) sforzando
• middle C
• BPM
• (rall.) rallentando
• major chord