Tonleiter

musical scale

noun TONE-ly-ter Rare

Origin: from Ton (tone) + Leiter (ladder)

Usage Note

Tonleiter literally a tone-ladder, is the practised scale; note Leiter here is feminine. Beginners drill Tonleitern daily before tackling repertoire.

Examples

"Vor dem Üben spielt sie alle Tonleitern durch."

Natural Translation

Before practising she plays through all the scales.

Literal Translation

Before the practising plays she all scales through.

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