DictionaryAd libitum |
Buy sheetmusic at SheetMusicPlus |
Ad libitum is Latin for "at [one's] pleasure"; it is often shortened to "ad lib" (as an adjective or adverb) or "ad-lib" (as a verb or noun). The roughly synonymous phrase a bene placito ("at [one's] good pleasure") is less common but, in its Italian form a piacere, entered the musical lingua franca (see below).
MusicAs 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:
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. A DJ can manipulate music on the turntables as an instrument (turntablism), the tracks can be chosen and editing live to create an instantly remixed version or blending of the tracks. The choice of tracks relayed is ultimately the DJ's, although they may have been inspired by many avenues. BiologyAd libitum is also used in psychology and biology to refer to the "free-feeding" weight of an animal, as opposed, for example, to the weight after a restricted diet or pair feeding. For example, "The rat's ad libitum weight was about 320 grams." In nutritional studies, this phrase denotes providing an animal free access to feed or water thereby allowing the animal to self-regulate intake according to its biological needs. For example, "Rats were given ad libitum access to food and water." In biological field studies it can also mean that information or data were obtained spontaneously without a specific method. Medical prescriptions may use the abbreviation ad lib. to indicate "freely" or that as much as one desires should be used. DramaAd-lib is used to describe individual moments of improvisation. When the entire performance is predicated on spontaneous creation, the process is usually called improvisation, such as in the show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. In film the term ad-lib usually refers to the interpolation of unscripted material in an otherwise scripted performance. 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. Live performers such as television talk-show hosts (e.g., Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, etc.) sometimes enhance their reputation for wit by the delivery of material that sounds ad-libbed but is actually scripted, and may employ ad-lib writers to prepare such material. Some actors are also known for their ability or tendency to ad-lib, such as Peter Falk (of the series Columbo), who would ad-lib such mannerisms as absent-mindedness while in character. See also | |
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Ad libitum". Allthough most Wikipedia articles provide accurate information accuracy can not be guaranteed. |
Gershwin, G.
3 Preludes
Thorsten Hammer
Schubert, F.
Symphony No. 8 in B minor "Unfinished"
Berliner Philharmoniker
Brahms, J.
Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major
Washington Musica Viva
Tchaikovsky, P.I.
1812
Nikolai Golovanov
Tchaikovsky, P.I.
1812
Nikolai Golovanov
Vivaldi, A.
Flute concerto in G major RV435
Paula Robison