Moderato – at a moderate pace

(Pronounced mod-uh-rah-toh)

We only need to change one letter to remember the definition of this word.

Change the o to an e should be enough to remember this word.

A moderate tempo is a moderation in tempo and is assumed to be slightly faster than natural walking pace but it is also about setting a moderate mood.

Examples of moderato in a sentence

The first sonata in the series is marked moderato, to be played at a medium tempo.

Although the sheet music said it should be played moderato, she attacked the test piece at blistering speed and was not offered a place at the conservatoire.

He decided it would be fun to speed up the piece, even though it was supposed to be played moderato.