AD-LIBBING

SUBJECT OF INTEREST>>>>} AD-LIBBING (your production) Question--> Is ad-libbing something that singers can just do or not do? Can it be worked on directly? Can people improve? ★The answer to the last two questions is a resounding yes! What is it? ‘Ad lib’ is short for ‘ad libitum’, being Latin for “at one’s liberty”. It’s where singers make up spontaneous melodies with “woahs” and “yeahs” or snippets of lyric inspired by the song itself. It’s generally done over a whole section of a song such as a chorus or coda (end section). ☆★It’s a standard feature of a lot of different styles of music and therefore a lot of lead vocalists need to be able to do it. Develop Your Ad-Libbing As with every field, there are people who are just naturally good at ad-libbing and don’t need to work on it. However, for others, practicing ad-libbing can form part of a regular vocal practice program and also be included in vocal coaching sessions. Here are some suggestions: 1. Do your homework. Listen to and learn from the masters of the ad-libbing world. Analyse the ad-libs of the singers who inspire you. 2. Learn your scales & modes. The key ones to learn are the Pentatonic scales, as many ad lib lines are based on these. 3. Jam, jam, jam! Get together with other musicians and jam (i.e. improvise). You can test run lots of ideas; some may work, some may not and that’s fine, it’s all part of the learning process. You can also improvise by yourself along with backing tracks. **If ad-libbing makes you a little nervous, start with short, basic ideas and let them become more complex as your skill builds. ♥♥Finally, the more regularly you turn on the ad-libbing ‘tap’, the better at it you’ll get. GOD BLESS YOU. TUNJIFORTRESS.