A computer-implemented method comprises receiving musical data including reference timing data, and a succession of musical notes arranged with respect to the reference timing data, receiving input corresponding to a selection of a groove template, and altering the arrangement of the notes (shifting in a positive or negative direction) with respect to the reference timing data based on the selected groove template. Altering the arrangement of notes can further include adding additional musical notes to the succession of musical notes to add stylistic embellishments particular to the selected groove template, where one of the selectable groove templates includes adding a shuffle dynamic to the succession of musical notes by determining a positive offset associated with each of the musical notes along the musical bar, and applying the positive offset to each of the musical notes, wherein the positive offset corresponds to the position of the musical note.