Stufenweisen

Stufenweisen is a German term meaning “stepwise” or “in stages.” It functions as an adverb and an adjective to describe a progression that occurs in discrete steps rather than continuously. The word combines Stufe, meaning “step” or “level,” with the suffix -weise, meaning “in the manner of.” The concept is used across disciplines to indicate a method, progression, or interpretation that proceeds gradually through clearly defined stages.

In music theory, stufenweise motion describes melodic movement between pitches by adjacent scale degrees, typically by seconds within a given key. Such motion is considered smooth and is favored for voice-leading, in contrast to leaps (Sprungweise), where the melody moves by larger intervals. Composers often employ stufenweise passages to connect motifs and create legato lines; frequent stepwise motion can contribute to a characteristic stylistic flow in various periods.

In mathematics and education, stufenweise describes methods that advance solutions or understanding in successive stages. Examples include stepwise procedures for solving equations or stepwise approximations in numerical methods, where each stage refines the previous result. In pedagogy, eine stufenweise Einführung refers to introducing concepts gradually, aligning with scaffolded learning.

In medicine, stufenweise Dosierung (titration) refers to increasing or decreasing a drug dose in steps to reach a therapeutic target while monitoring tolerance and side effects. The approach supports safety and individualized therapy, particularly for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.

See also: stepwise method; schrittweise Vorgehen; stufenweises Verfahren.