Review on Steve Neff Improvisation Practice Books

One of the most important elements when improvising jazz is to be adept in all keys. I don't know about you, but I've personally struggled with being equally proficient in all keys. On  the trombone, as I'm sure with most instruments, some keys just "lay" better than others.  And since lots of tunes are in the same keys, I tend to take the lazy route and practice more in keys like F, C and Bb.  Piano makes it a little easier because you can practice for hours and not get "shot" like you do on a brass instrument. 

Another important aspect of sounding good when you improvise is the ability to play II-V7-I progressions and sound like you know what the hell you are doing. It wasn't until college that I actually learned that connecting successive 7ths and 3rds in II-V-I's was the way to always sound good. Sure enough, when I looked at Clifford Brown solos or Charlie Parker solos, and studied the way they handled simple II-V-I progressions, I realized that being able to play those II-Vs in all keys was one of the most important elements for being a terrific improviser. Great players always made their solos sound as if they were composed, and that has alot to do with how they improvise over II-V-I's in different keys.  The lines great players play always "flow" from one chord to the next.

There has not been many publications that contain a system for practicing over II-V-I's.  There are books out there that give you some material, like Patterns for Jazz by Jerry Coker, and some others - but nothing so exhaustive that it would take you years to get through.

On my constant quest for improving my jazz playing, I recently purchased a book that so blew me away that I had to let you guys know about it.  They are publications (3) by a sax player by the name of Steve Neff.  Steve is someone you've probably never heard of - but if you are looking to improve your improvisation, you've got to check out his books for totally improving your jazz playing in all keys.

Steve has put together what I believe is the most comprehensive system for practicing II-V-I's in both major and minor.  Not only that, his book on "approaches" in all keys is terrific as well.  All 3 make a wicked combination for improving your improvising. 

After purchasing Steve's major II-V-I book, I was so blown away that I asked if he would be willing to provide some sample PDFs of his books for you guys to check out.  Download the PDFs below and practice with them for a bit.  Then head over to Steve's website and check them out more.  The books are really cheap for the amount of material you get.  Get any of the books and I guarantee that you will not run out of practice material for years.  Since every page is in all keys, you could spend a week on one page alone.  Enuff said. Download the sample pages below. 

Download Sample From Major II-V7-I here

Download Sample from Minor II-V7-I here

Download sampe from Approach Book here

The books on Steve's site are all only $10 in PDF format.  A steal for the amount of practice material you get.  Use these with Jamey Aebersold's II-V-I CD and you'll be busy for YEARS.  CLICK HERE to view all books on Steve's site.