thanks, and yes i upgraded from 2017. on 2017 and earlier versions i just put in the part marker from color "blue" to 'green" and the drum would go into a different pattern just like that. i think on 2018 i have to load all the "a" thru "d" subsets in the style and i have never done that. 2018 says i can put in fills, etc. on the drums. right now the drums just play i guess the "a" subset only. when i put in a part marker it never changes the drum beats at all. sorry i was so vague in my first post. thanks again for willing to help. david w.