JJazzLab 4

A complete and open application for backing tracks generation.

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JJazzlab 4

In JJazzLab "rhythm" usually means a music style, like pop or bossa-nova.

What is JJazzLab?

🎵 With JJazzLab you quickly create backing tracks for any song, even complex ones. It’s a jam buddy to have fun practicing at home or learn new stuff. It’s also a great tool for teaching or early-stage composing.

🎷 JJazzLab is designed to make non-boring backing tracks, backing tracks with variety, rhythmic accents and dynamics. You can start a solo slowly and gradually build up the atmosphere!

💻 JJazzLab is open-source with an open architecture: developers can easily add new features and new music generation capabilities.

Getting started

Install and run JJazzLab, then :

1. Load an example song file : menu File/Open Songs... and select ExampleFiles/BluesMinor.sng

2. Press the Play button : you should hear the backing track -if not, check the Midi Out device in menu Tools/Options

3. Start editing the song using the editors and hear how it impacts the generated backing track.

Watch this 60 seconds video tutorial for a quick start.

Key features

• Introduce dynamics! for example:

  • mute the guitar in the intro

  • simplify the piano on the first verse

  • add a break at the end of the 2nd verse

  • add congas from the 3rd verse

  • add a synth ostinato in the last chorus

  • boost intensity and slightly increase tempo at the end

  • add anticipated chords

• Export backing track to Midi or audio

• Play transposed (for sax, etc.)

• Use Midi remote commands to control playback

• Add annotations/lyrics to bars

• Edit multiple songs, copy & paste between them

• Print chord leadsheet and song structure

• Import or export Midi files via drag & drop

• Import files from Band-In-A-Box / Text ("|A7 D7 | Gm7 C7|") / MusicXML / Impro-Visor files

Side tools

• Easy Reader window: shows only the playing chords (and annotations/lyrics) with a large font

• Chord inspector: shows selected chord symbol notes and scales (piano, guitar diagrams, score)

• Arranger keyboard mode: control backing track in (pseudo) real-time via a Midi keyboard

• Improvisation help: generate improvisation guides on your chord leadsheet