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 is especially true 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 speak their own languages but with one coherent voice. Welcome to the chapter about drums.

Basic Jazz MIDI comes with eight- and 16-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 master’s degree in jazz performance from the conservatories of Hilversum and Amsterdam. “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,” he says.

With tempos ranging from 90 to 200 BPM, you’ll have all the drums you need for anything from medium walking ballads and 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.

Like the late George Gershwin put it: “Life is a lot like jazz… It’s best when you improvise.” This will give you the ultimate palette of drums. Now start painting and use your colors.