What's Inside?

Think of this book as a resource for practice when you have limited time and want to build foundational skills for jazz improvisation.

I call these “Master Jazz Workouts” because like a good workout it’s something you can continue to spend time on and still find improvement.

After 15 years of teaching I developed this method to help my private students learn improvisation faster than I did, and I’m confident it will help you too.

In this book you will work on learn 5 unique arpeggio patterns, ii-V-I lines, and diminished ideas for each of the 12 major keys. Ample space has been provided underneath the lines to allow for your notes and annotations as well.

There isn’t a right or wrong way to approach the information presented here. Take your time with each of the ideas and patterns and focus on the progress you make each time you practice.

In addition to the Master Jazz Workouts for each specific concept, I’ve also included some examples of how you might apply these ideas over standard jazz repertoire.

Use that section as inspiration and guidance for how you can apply these workouts to whichever jazz standard you are currently working on.

The goal should be to internalize the sound, feel, and concept of each line as you are able, not to try to cram all ideas into your head as fast as possible.

Like the great Bruce Lee said, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who had practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

To your musical success,

Chase Maddox