Ad libitum: Difference between revisions
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{{More citations needed|date=December 2021}} |
{{More citations needed|date=December 2021}} |
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In [[music]] |
In [[music]] and other [[performing arts]], the phrase '''{{lang|la|ad libitum}}''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|d|ˈ|l|ɪ|b|ᵻ|t|ə|m}}; from [[Latin]] for 'at one's pleasure' or 'as you desire'), often shortened to "'''ad lib'''" (as an [[adjective]] or [[adverb]]) or "'''ad-lib'''" (as a [[verb]] or [[noun]]), refers to various forms of [[improvisation]]. |
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The roughly synonymous phrase {{lang|la|a bene placito}} ('in accordance with [one's] good pleasure') is less common but, in its Italian form {{lang|it|a piacere}}, entered the musical ''[[lingua franca]]'' (see below). |
The roughly synonymous phrase {{lang|la|a bene placito}} ('in accordance with [one's] good pleasure') is less common but, in its Italian form {{lang|it|a piacere}}, has entered the musical ''[[lingua franca]]'' (see below). |
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The phrase "at liberty" is often associated [[mnemonic]]ally (because of the [[alliteration]] of the ''lib-'' syllable), although it is not the translation (there is no [[cognate|cognation]] between {{lang|la|[[wikt:libitum#Latin|libitum]]}} and {{lang|la|[[wikt:liber#Latin|liber]]}}). [[wikt:libido#Latin|Libido]] is the etymologically closer cognate known in English. |
The phrase "at liberty" is often associated [[mnemonic]]ally (because of the [[alliteration]] of the ''lib-'' syllable), although it is not the translation (there is no [[cognate|cognation]] between {{lang|la|[[wikt:libitum#Latin|libitum]]}} and {{lang|la|[[wikt:liber#Latin|liber]]}}). [[wikt:libido#Latin|Libido]] is the etymologically closer cognate known in English. |
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In [[biology]] and [[nutrition]], the phrase is used to describe feeding without restriction.<ref>{{cite web |last1=A. |first1=Antonio |title=Ad Libitum |url=https://kb.wisc.edu/dairynutrient/414RN/page.php?id=56036 |website=DS 414 Ruminant Nutrition Knowledge Base |publisher=University of Wisconsin-Madison |access-date=29 November 2023}}</ref> |
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As a direction in [[sheet music]], {{lang|la|ad libitum}} indicates that the performer or conductor has one of a variety of types of discretion with respect to a given passage: |
As a direction in [[sheet music]], {{lang|la|ad libitum}} indicates that the performer or conductor has one of a variety of types of discretion with respect to a given passage: |
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*to play the passage in [[Free time (music)|free time]] rather than in strict or "[[Metronome|metronomic]]" [[tempo]] (a practice known as ''[[rubato]]'' when not expressly indicated by the composer); |
*to play the passage in [[Free time (music)|free time]] rather than in strict or "[[Metronome|metronomic]]" [[tempo]] (a practice known as ''[[rubato]]'' when not expressly indicated by the composer); |
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*to improvise a melodic line fitting the general structure prescribed by the passage's written notes or chords; |
*to improvise a melodic line fitting the general structure prescribed by the passage's written notes or chords; |
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*to omit an instrument part, such as a nonessential [[accompaniment]], for the duration of the passage; or |
*to omit an instrument part, such as a nonessential [[accompaniment]], for the duration of the passage; or |
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*in the phrase "repeat {{lang|la|ad libitum}} |
*in the phrase "repeat {{lang|la|ad libitum}}", to play the passage an arbitrary number of times (''[[cf.]]'' [[Vamp (music)|vamp]]). |
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Note that the direction {{lang|it|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 {{lang|la|ad libitum}}, with most composers intimating the freedom the performer and conductor have. |
Note that the direction {{lang|it|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 {{lang|la|ad libitum}}, with most composers intimating the freedom the performer and conductor have. |
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For post-Baroque classical music and jazz, see [[cadenza]]. |
For post-Baroque classical music and jazz, see [[cadenza]]. |
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== |
==Other performing arts== |
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{{lang|la|Ad 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 {{lang|la|ad libitum}} weight was about 320 g." 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." |
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-unscriptedmoviemoments/8/ |title=Greatest Unscripted Movie Moments |access-date=September 20, 2012 |last=Onda |first=David |publisher=[[Xfinity]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817130034/http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-unscriptedmoviemoments/7/ |archive-date=August 17, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |
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In biological field studies, it can also mean that information or data were obtained spontaneously without a specific method. |
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Some actors are also known for their ability or tendency to ad-lib, such as [[Peter Falk]] of the television series ''[[Columbo (TV series)|Columbo]]''. When performing as Colombo, 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.<ref name=JustOneMoreThing>{{cite book |last= Falk | first= Peter | date= August 24, 2007 | title= Just One More Thing |publisher= Da Capo Press | isbn= 978-0-7867-1939-6}}</ref> |
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[[Medical prescription]]s may use the abbreviation ''ad lib.'' to indicate "freely" or that as much as one desires should be used. More common is {{lang|la|[[pro re nata]]}} dosing, in which a drug is used only if needed and only up to some maximum amount. |
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⚫ | 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19510715&id=XDIxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GRAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4449,1134316 |title=That's Earl, Brother |last=Wilson |first=Earl |date=15 July 1951 |work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Sentinel]] |access-date=2015-06-12}}</ref> |
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==Drama== |
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⚫ | |||
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]]''. |
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⚫ | 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19510715&id=XDIxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GRAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4449,1134316 |title=That's Earl, Brother |last=Wilson |first=Earl |date=15 July 1951 |work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Sentinel]] |access-date=2015-06-12}}</ref> |
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The [[HBO]] sitcom ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' by [[Seinfeld]] co-creator [[Larry David]] primarily uses [[retroscripting]] and ad lib instead of scripted dialogue. |
The [[HBO]] sitcom ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' by [[Seinfeld]] co-creator [[Larry David]] primarily uses [[retroscripting]] and ad lib instead of scripted dialogue. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{wiktionary|ad libitum |
{{wiktionary|ad libitum}} |
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*[[List of Latin phrases]] |
*[[List of Latin phrases]] |
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*{{lang|la|[[Ad infinitum]]}} |
*{{lang|la|[[Ad infinitum]]}} |
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|page=[https://archive.org/details/amoamasamatmore00ehrl/page/23 23] |
|page=[https://archive.org/details/amoamasamatmore00ehrl/page/23 23] |
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|publisher=Harper & Row, Publishers |
|publisher=Harper & Row, Publishers |
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|location=New York |
|location=New York|isbn=9780061812491 |
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}} |
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<br> |
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{{Music stub}} |
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[[Category:Latin words and phrases]] |
[[Category:Latin words and phrases]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Improvisation]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Musical terminology]] |
Latest revision as of 02:28, 27 May 2024
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2021) |
In music and other performing arts, the phrase ad libitum (/ædˈlɪbɪtəm/; from Latin for 'at one's pleasure' or 'as you desire'), often shortened to "ad lib" (as an adjective or adverb) or "ad-lib" (as a verb or noun), refers to various forms of improvisation.
The roughly synonymous phrase a bene placito ('in accordance with [one's] good pleasure') is less common but, in its Italian form a piacere, has entered the musical lingua franca (see below).
The phrase "at liberty" is often associated mnemonically (because of the alliteration of the lib- syllable), although it is not the translation (there is no cognation between libitum and liber). Libido is the etymologically closer cognate known in English.
In biology and nutrition, the phrase is used to describe feeding without restriction.[1]
Music
[edit]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
[edit]"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.[2]
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 Colombo, 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.[3]
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.[4]
The HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David primarily uses retroscripting and ad lib instead of scripted dialogue.
See also
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg/40px-Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg.png)
References
[edit]- ^ A., Antonio. "Ad Libitum". DS 414 Ruminant Nutrition Knowledge Base. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Onda, David. "Greatest Unscripted Movie Moments". Xfinity. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
- ^ Falk, Peter (August 24, 2007). Just One More Thing. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-7867-1939-6.
- ^ Wilson, Earl (15 July 1951). "That's Earl, Brother". Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
- Ehrlich, Eugene (1985). Amo, Amas, Amat and More. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers. p. 23. ISBN 9780061812491.