I am reading a book where a section started with this definition of the German word (phrase?) Das Vorspiel - prelude; overture; prologue; preliminary match; foreplay; performance; practical (exam); audition; das ist erst das ~ that is just for starters.

- Collins German Unabridged Dictionary (seventh edition, 2007)

That's some word! It incorporates symphonies, practice examinations (simulation?), sexual prowess, theatre, and other bits and pieces.

English "performance" covers a lot of that too.

I don't know much German, but it looks as if it's literally "forespeak," or what we might call a prelude.

Spiel is "game, play"

Ohh, duhhh... of course! But I'm still right in that "prelude" is etymologically, "foreplay."