Ad libitum

{{anchor|Music}} Music

As a direction in sheet music, ad libitum indicates that the performer or conductor has one of a variety of types of discretion with respect to a given passage:

• to play the passage in free time rather than in strict or "metronomic" tempo (a practice known as rubato when not expressly indicated by the composer);
• to improvise a melodic line fitting the general structure prescribed by the passage's written notes or chords;
• to omit an instrument part, such as a nonessential accompaniment, for the duration of the passage; or
• in the phrase "repeat ad libitum", to play the passage an arbitrary number of times (cf. vamp).

Note that the direction a piacere (see above) has a more restricted meaning, generally referring to only the first two types of discretion. Baroque music, especially, has a written or implied ad libitum, with most composers intimating the freedom the performer and conductor have.

For post-Baroque classical music and jazz, see cadenza.

Other performing arts

"Ad-lib" is used to describe individual moments during live theatre when an actor speaks through their character using words not found in the play's text. When the entire performance is predicated on spontaneous creation, the process is called improvisational theatre.

In film, the term ad-lib usually refers to the interpolation of unscripted material in an otherwise scripted performance. For example, in interviews, Dustin Hoffman says he ad-libbed the now famous line, "I'm walking here! I'm walking here!" as "Ratso" Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy (1969). While filming at a streetcorner, the scene was interrupted by a taxi driver. Hoffman wanted to say, "We're filming a movie here!", but stayed in character, allowing the take to be used.

Some actors are also known for their ability or tendency to ad-lib, such as Peter Falk of the television series Columbo. When performing as Columbo, Falk would ad-lib such mannerisms as absent-mindedness, fumbling through his pockets, or asking for a pencil, all in a deliberate attempt to frustrate his co-stars in the scene and obtain a more genuine reaction.

Live performers such as television talk-show hosts sometimes deliver material that sounds ad-libbed but is actually scripted. They may employ ad-lib writers to prepare such material.

The HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David primarily uses retroscripting and ad-lib instead of scripted dialogue.

References

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References

1. "Ad Libitum". University of Wisconsin-Madison.
2. Onda, David. "Greatest Unscripted Movie Moments". [[Xfinity]].
3. Falk, Peter. (August 24, 2007). "Just One More Thing". Da Capo Press.
4. Wilson, Earl. (15 July 1951). "That's Earl, Brother". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.