A tempo vs Ad Libitum

Side-by-side comparison of two musical terms.

	A tempo	Ad Libitum
Definition	Return to the original tempo after a deviation.	At the performer's discretion; freely.
Category	tempo	expression
Pronunciation	ah TEHM-poh	ad LIB-ih-tum
Origin	Italian	Latin
BPM	—	—
Synonyms	in time resume tempo	freely at will
Antonyms	Rubato Ad libitum	a tempo strict
Usage	After the expressive rallentando, the marking a tempo snaps the ensemble back to the original pulse.	The vocalist takes the final verse ad libitum, stretching phrases and adding improvised embellishments over the vamp.

Definition: Return to the original tempo after a deviation.
Category: tempo
Pronunciation: ah TEHM-poh
Origin: Italian
Synonyms: in time resume tempo
Antonyms: Rubato Ad libitum
Usage: After the expressive rallentando, the marking a tempo snaps the ensemble back to the original pulse.

Definition: At the performer's discretion; freely.
Category: expression
Pronunciation: ad LIB-ih-tum
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: freely at will
Antonyms: a tempo strict
Usage: The vocalist takes the final verse ad libitum, stretching phrases and adding improvised embellishments over the vamp.