Moderato vs Allegretto
Moderato (108-120 BPM) is a neutral, comfortable middle tempo, while allegretto (112-120 BPM) has a similar speed but adds a specifically light, lively character.
Comparison
| Moderato | Allegretto | |
|---|---|---|
| BPM Range | 108-120 BPM | 112-120 BPM |
| Character | Moderate, neutral, versatile character | Moderately fast, light, graceful, gently lively |
Detailed Comparison
Moderato and allegretto are close neighbors on the tempo spectrum, with significantly overlapping BPM ranges, yet they communicate different musical intentions. Moderato, at 108-120 BPM, is the definition of a middle-ground tempo — neither fast nor slow, measured and comfortable, a blank canvas that takes on whatever character the music demands.
Allegretto, at 112-120 BPM, overlaps almost entirely with moderato in terms of raw speed, but it carries a specific character that moderato lacks. The '-etto' suffix links it to allegro (cheerful, lively), giving allegretto a distinctly light, graceful, and gently lively quality. While moderato says 'play at a moderate speed,' allegretto says 'play at a moderate speed with charm and lightness.'
This distinction matters in performance. A moderato passage can be played with a wide range of characters — serious, playful, lyrical, or rhythmic — because the marking only specifies speed. An allegretto passage, however, should always have that characteristic lightness and gentle animation. Beethoven's famous Allegretto from his Seventh Symphony would feel entirely different if marked moderato: the same notes at the same speed, but without the instruction to bring that specific allegretto grace to the performance.
When to Use Moderato
Use moderato when you want a comfortable moderate tempo without prescribing a specific character — letting the musical content itself determine the mood.
When to Use Allegretto
Use allegretto when you want a similar moderate tempo but with a specifically light, graceful, gently lively character — a tempo with built-in charm.
FAQ
Are moderato and allegretto the same tempo?
They are very close in BPM — moderato is 108-120 and allegretto is 112-120. The difference is character: moderato is neutral and moderate, while allegretto is specifically light, graceful, and gently lively.
How do I decide between moderato and allegretto?
Choose moderato for a straightforward moderate tempo where character comes from the music itself. Choose allegretto when you want to specify a light, cheerful, graceful quality as part of the tempo instruction.
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