preludic

Preludic is an adjective used in musicology and literary criticism to denote something relating to or serving as a prelude. Derived from the noun prelude (from French prélude, from Latin præludere, "to play before"), the term generally conveys introductory or preparatory function rather than the main body of work.

In music, preludic materials may precede a larger composition, set a mood, or introduce thematic material that is developed later. A preludic movement may be short, improvisatory in character, and less formally structured than the subsequent fugue, sonata movement, or suite portion, though this is not a strict rule.

The term is relatively uncommon in everyday musicology and is more often replaced by phrases such as "prelude-like" or simply "prelude." In literary or dramatic contexts, preludic can describe an opening section, prologue, or introductory scene that prepares audiences for the main narrative or performance, often establishing motifs or tonalities shared with the rest of the work.

Because preludes come in many styles across eras, preludic can apply to pieces spanning Baroque to contemporary music when their purpose is to precede and prime a larger piece.

See also: prelude; preludial; prologue; introductory movement.