Book Reviews

 "Just wanted to let you know that I'm digging the approach tone exercises... I've understood the concept for quite some time, but didn't have a practical way to start getting it under my fingers to be usable in performance............ this is outstanding, particularly for intermediate improvisors who feel like they have exhausted their diatonic stuff and want to get into something a litter more hip!!
Wow, talk about expanding your horizons!! Thanks." Al Waldchen

" I had the time to play 3 keys out  of your "Approach Note Velocity" book today and I'm delighted! You took the time to do what I've been meaning to do for quite a while, ( Hat's off to ya man, I'm too lazy!). You did a great job with this book. The problem of making a line over static harmony interesting is one we saxophonists all encounter, so this one is truly useful. The constant suspension and resolution of your approach note exercises swings like crazy! I've been looking for a jazz book with an interesting concept that's fun to read for quite a while and this one's a keeper; thanks man" Daryl  Dunn "

  "I purchased Steves best II V I patterns and I can tell that for now I can put away my other  technique books. What I really like about his patterns is that I'm tempted to break his three bar exercises into three one bar exercises and see where his jumping off lick takes me. These are well thought out and most important ,melodic. These are licks that I'd actually like to stick into my soloing not to mention what working on them will do to my command of the horn. Thanks alot Steve, well worth 10 bucks."   Keith Ridenhour

   "I give a big second to Steve's II/V/I books. Contains lots of licks but also ones you don't typically hear. Pick up both the major and minor! I'm using these as warm-ups which are a great way of keeping the jazz side under my fingers while I gig weekly in a R&B/Funk band. "    Tom

  "These are definitely the among the best II-V-I patterns that I have ever found. They sound beautiful and flow very nicely even if played at slower/medium tempos. So often I find collections of patterns which are choppy, mechanical, tasteless or they are so "clever" (ouside) that have to be played at a lighting speed to sound right. In short, these are real life patterns."

  "Steve, just got the pdf file........... it's awesome.  I like to learn the lick in a familiar key, then put the music away and go from there by ear........... that said, your transpositions are still very useful as a check. Great work for those of us trying to build vocabulary. Thanks."

  "I have both books now and must say that they are an excellent collection. Money very well spent. I will be referring other players to your site, Nef. Thank you for the time and effort you have put into sharing your knowledge and experiences to others."

FREE LESSON

FREE Sample  Lesson for Joining my Mailing List. Just enter your email address above and I'll send you a link to the lesson!!!!

NEW!!!!!

Right now the March lessons I have posted up  are:

1.  12 Great Blues Licks- these are a preview of licks from the book I'm working on on the Blues Scale.

2.  The Blues Scale and the 12 bar Blues- this is a lesson on how to apply the concepts in  Part 1 and 2 of the Blues Scale Lesson to the 12 bar blues. I talk about developing licks and how to practice them.

3.  How to "Approach" Rhythm Changes- This is a lesson on using Approach Notes on Rhythm Changes. This is a great lesson for intermediate to advanced players. If you master this stuff  you'll be burning on "Oleo" in no time.

4.  Developing a great sound- this is a lesson on  things you can do to improve your sound. I teach many of these things on a daily basis and they are very helpful to my students.

5.  Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale- this is an old lesson of mine that I'm putting  up for those of you who haven't heard it. This is a great lesson to go with your work on a blues. I go into detail on how to work from the book of the same title.