Crossword Genius

How quickly to play the tango, compose a poem (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tempo

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'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" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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