Editing Ad libitum (section)

== {{anchor|Music}} Music==
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:
*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 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 {{lang|la|ad libitum}}", to play the passage an arbitrary number of times (''[[cf.]]'' [[Vamp (music)|vamp]]).

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.

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