Joshua Stamper`s 2006©theme music New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP “Ad-lib” is used to describe individual moments during live theater in which an actor speaks through his character with words not found in the text of the play. When the entire performance is based on spontaneous creation, the process is called improvisational theatre. In music and other performing arts, the expression ad libitum (/ædˈlɪbɪtəm/; from Latin for “at will” or “as desired”) often abbreviated to “ad lib” (as an adjective or adverb) or “ad-lib” (as a verb or noun) refers to various forms of improvisation. As direction in notes, ad libitum indicates that the performer or conductor has one of many types of discretion regarding a particular passage: live performers such as TV talk show hosts sometimes provide material that looks improvised but is actually scripted. You can hire ad-lib writers to prepare this material. [1] Some actors are also known for their ability or inclination to ad-lib, such as Peter Falk (from the series Columbo), who would use ways such as distraction during the ad lib character. Note that the direction of a piacere (see above) has a more limited meaning and usually refers only to the first two types of discretion. Baroque music, in particular, has a writing or implicit ad libitum, with most composers suggesting the freedom of performer and conductor. In film, the term ad-lib generally refers to the interpolation of unscripted material into an otherwise scripted performance. For example, Dustin Hoffman says in interviews that he uttered the now famous phrase “I`m going here! I`m walking here! ” as “Ratso” Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy. The term “at liberty” is often associated with mnemonics (due to the alliteration of the syllable lib), although this is not the translation (there is no cognation between libitum and liber). Libido is the etymologically most closely related term known in English. HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm from Seinfeld co-creator Larry David primarily uses reverse scripting and ad lib instead of scripted dialogue.
For post-baroque classical music and jazz, see cadenza. The roughly synonymous expression a bene placito (“in accordance with good pleasure”) is less common, but in its Italian form a piacere, it has entered the lingua franca musicale (see below).