How quickly to play the tango, compose a poem (5)
I believe the answer is:
tempo
'how quickly to play' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'tango compose a poem' is the wordplay.
'tango' becomes 'T' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'compose' indicates an anagram.
'poem' anagrammed gives 'empo'.
't'+'empo'='TEMPO'
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tempo that I've seen before include "Musical beat or rhythm" , "Time (music)" , "Pace, rate" , "Speed of a musical piece" , "Rhythm or speed as in music" .)