prelude

preludi, alkusoitto

toimia alkusoittona

johdanto

soittaa alkusoittona An introductory or preliminary performance or event; a preface.
puhekieltä A short piece of music that acts as an introduction to a longer piece.
To introduce something, as a prelude.
To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance.
Sir Walter Scott

The musicians preluded on their instruments.

We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point.