In jazz, there is no given set of rules. Rather a canvas on which you, as a musician, paint with broad strokes to create an ever-shifting musical landscape. This goes true especially for the drums.

Even if they're the focal point of the beat, they constantly shift, move and feed off the spur of the moment, a creative urge or an unbridled notion. Jazz is the art of musical storytelling where the instruments all speak their own language, but with one coherent voice.

'Basic Jazz MIDI' comes with eight and sixteen bar variations of fundamental swing comping patterns in 3/4 and 4/4 time, all categorized by increasing intensity and complexity. It was performed by Toontrack's Norman Garschke, a traditionally trained drummer with a masters degree in jazz performance from the Conservatories of Hilversum and Amsterdam. Norman:

"To me, jazz drums is about composing in real-time, about staying in the moment and letting yourself go. I think the best term to describe it is 'instant composition'. The idea behind this collection was to capture just that – variations of rhythmical comping ideas and melodies a jazz drummer would play to accompany a band."

With tempos varying from 90 to 200 BPM, you’ll have all the drums you need for anything from medium walking ballads, slow medium standards to medium uptempo arrangements. Start assembling your song of controlled, sophisticated drum improvisation with that inimitable nuance, touch and feel of a session player.

Feature Spotlight

• More than 400 individually played drum comping variations
  
• Performed by Norman Garschke
  
• 3/4 and 4/4 swing patterns in 8 & 16 bar sections
  
• Ride cymbal variations, snare drum/bass drum comping ideas
  
• 4/4 walking-time and 'playing in two'

Toontrack's 'Basic Jazz Midi' is available now. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is £19.95 or 25.00 euro. Please note that you will need EZdrummer or Superior Drummer 2.0 to use this product.

About Toontrack
Toontrack Music is a leading developer of music making software for songwriters and musicians as well as home to successful drum samplers EZdrummer and Superior Drummer.

Some of the other brands from the company include Drumkit From Hell, and the acclaimed multi-mixing tool EZmix 2.