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Hi! I am Steve Neff

I have been playing and teaching saxophone and jazz improvisation around the New England area for the last 30+ years. I love teaching and anything to do with the saxophone. I hope you find this website helpful in your musical journey. Thanks, Steve

Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale and Language Book 1 & 2

January 20, 2017 by Steve 5 Comments

I decided to offer a free video lesson on my book “Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale and Language Book 1 & 2” for everyone. I have sold many of these books over the years and really want to make sure that everyone is getting the most out of them that they can.  You can consider this […]

Filed Under: Free Lessons Tagged With: dominant bebop scale, free lesson, Jazz Improvisation, saxophone, video lesson

Vincent Herring Alto Sax Transcription-All the Things You Are

January 18, 2017 by Steve 4 Comments

This is a very cool transcription from a 1996 bootleg recording of Vincent Herring soloing over “All the Things You Are” on the alto sax.  I have no further information about the recording except that it is from 1-27-96. This transcription was done by a very talented 10th grade student of mine up here in northern […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: All the Things You Are, alto sax, Jack Egan, jazz saxophone, transcription, Vincent Herring

Mouthpiece Cafe House Blend II Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 12, 2017 by Steve 3 Comments

Today, I am reviewing another saxophone mouthpiece made by Brian Powell and Erik Greiffenhagen over at Mouthpiece Cafe.  If you have visited my site before you probably know that I hold Brian and Erik in pretty high regard.  They have both done tons of sax mouthpiece refacing jobs for me over the years with great results. […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, Erik Greiffenhagen, House Blend II, mouthpiece Cafe, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax

Improving Saxophone Altissimo Exercise with Chris Potter

January 12, 2017 by Steve 4 Comments

I just happened upon this as I was perusing the web and drinking my morning coffee just now. Chris Potter playing Giant Steps.  The hard part…… he can’t go below high C. How many of you are brave enough to take on this challenge?……….I’m inspired to practice!   Awesome!

Filed Under: Jazz Videos Tagged With: altissimo, chris potter, Giant Steps, tenor sax

Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 10, 2017 by Steve 1 Comment

Today, I am reviewing another mouthpiece made by Carlo Atti in Italy.  I had never heard of Attisound Mouthpieces but Carlo contacted me last year and asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of his mouthpieces on my site.  I was curious after looking at some pictures and agreed to try them out. […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Attisound, Carlo Atti, Python, tenor sax.saxophone mouthpiece

Neffmusic 10 Year Anniversary-One of My First Lessons!!

January 4, 2017 by Steve 3 Comments

Ok, so I have to post this……….It’s the  official 10 year anniversary of www.neffmusic.com.    I started the site in the Fall of 2006 but it really got up and running in 2007.  So 2017 is the official 10 year anniversary. Woohoo!!!! (Yes, I’m very proud………..) I was going through my computer tonight deleting random […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: II-V-I, jazz language, jazz lessons, Neffmusic, steve neff

Attisound Black Mamba Aluminum Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 4, 2017 by Steve Leave a Comment

Today, I am reviewing another mouthpiece made by Carlo Atti in Italy.  I had never heard of Attisound mouthpieces but Carlo contacted me last year and asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of his mouthpieces on my site.  I was curious after looking at some pictures and agreed to try them out. […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aluminum, Attisound, black mamba, Carlo Atti, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax

Attisound Black Mamba Brass Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 4, 2017 by Steve 4 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Carlo Atti in Italy.  I had never heard of Attisound mouthpieces but Carlo contacted me last year and asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of his mouthpieces on my site.  I was curious after looking at some pictures and agreed to try them out. […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: ATTI, Attisound, black mamba, Italy, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax

Amazing Jazz Saxophone Masterclass by Dave Liebman

December 15, 2016 by Steve 1 Comment

This is a Dave Liebman masterclass from 2/7/15 in Nashville at the studio of Jeff Coffin.   I’m watching it right now as I post this but am so amazed at how deep and insightful this is that I feel I have to post it immediately.   I’m at the 60 minute mark and have to […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: Dave Liebman, Jazz Improvisation, masterclass, saxophone

Transcription of Danny Janklow’s Solo on Night and Day

December 15, 2016 by Steve 2 Comments

Ok, so I’m going a little nuts with these Facebook “Jam of the Week” solo transcriptions. The truth is I love hearing some of these new young players on the scene posting their solos.  There is something raw and courageous about letting it all fly on a video clip for all to see that is exciting. […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Cole Porter, Danny Janklow, jazz transcription, Night and Day

Transcription of Clay Pritchard’s Solo on Cherokee

December 9, 2016 by Steve 3 Comments

Here’s a transcription that Steve Kortyka did of a Clay Pritchard solo over Cherokee on the video below.  You might not have heard of these guys yet but Steve Kortyka is a great New York player that plays with Lady Gaga among many others and Clay Pritchard was a semi-finalist from the 2013 Monk Competition. Steve […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Cherokee, Clay Pritchard, jazz sax, Steve Kortyka, tenor saxophone

Transcription of Jeff Ellwood’s Solo on Freedom Jazz Dance

December 8, 2016 by Steve 2 Comments

Here’s another transcription from the Jeff Ellwood “School of Outness”.  This is from another video of Jeff that I found on Facebook a couple of months ago and put in my transcription folder of cool solos I had to one day transcribe. The video below is Jeff Ellwood playing a tenor sax solo over “Freedom Jazz […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Eddie Harris, Freedom Jazz Dance, jazz sax, Jeff Ellwood, solo transcription, tenor saxophone

Transcription of Jeff Ellwood’s Solo on Just the Two of Us

November 30, 2016 by Steve 7 Comments

Here’s another transcription I am excited about sharing with everyone.  I found the video on Facebook this morning and proceeded to play it over and over until my wife got annoyed at me and said “Steve, it is 6:30 in the morning!  What are you doing?”  “Sorry, honey.” I replied.  That was how my day started………. […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Grover Washington Jr., jazz saxophone, Jeff Ellwood, Just the Two of Us, tenor sax, transcription

The Sax Mouthpiece Doesn’t Matter! Really??

November 21, 2016 by Steve 32 Comments

Today,  I am reviewing a garden hose. Ok, not really but I might as well be.  Every week, I get emails saying: The mouthpiece doesn’t matter, you will sound like you no matter what mouthpiece you play…… Charlie Parker could play anything…….. You sound the same on every mouthpiece. It’s you not the mouthpiece….. You […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: bad, importance, lame, sax mouthpiece, saxophone, worthless piece of crap

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Testimonials

Steve’s monthly lessons are entirely valuable. Without brow beating, he tells you all the stuff you deep down know you really should be working on, instead of just relying on the same old patterns. In spite of the fact that you’re taking a video lesson, Steve’s presentation is comfortable and “real”. In a little more than a year, he’s developed a library of lessons that seem to offer any player a lifetime’s worth of practice material. I’m just glad I stumbled upon it.… Read more
Grant
First, I’m really excited about your materials! This site is a vast resource for any aspiring (and maybe already inspired) jazz musicians. I’m not a sax player, I play mandolin and fiddle, but have been learning jazz and playing weekly with a quintet for the past 6 months and have been struggling with all of the issues you get into in your lessons. I bought several books and lessons and plan to continue with some others as soon as I organize my practice routine. Thanks again for a great site … Read more
Tony Galfano
Hi Steve, I live in a gorgeous but rural area of Oregon-no music store within 80 miles. Your lessons are my lifeline!  Truly the best there are anywhere online. Love your playing. Love your teaching.  Thanks again. Ed
Ed Woodmansee
Thank you for all the educational information you provide.  I am a classically trained musician.  Professionally, I am a 4th and 5th grade band teacher.  I have played piano and sax for many years, but now I am starting to gig out more. I have always improvised by ear in the past. I have gotten by with my strong sense of pitch, rhythm and melodic contour. However, I want to go deeper. I want to play with a greater variety of melodic and rhythmic ideas to pull from.  I have studied to gain a … Read more
Ray
Your lessons on playing the blues is so clear . I have been through many books on blues playing and not one of them explains as clear as your lessons . Most of them say “Play the same blues scale over all three chords of a 12 bar blues ” Its very misleading .     Thanks
Martin
I want to let you know that your instructional material is transforming my playing.  It is an immense pleasure to learn and play now, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. The instructional material I got from you is by far the best of any I own (and I have over 100 books, DVDs, and what not). I literally can’t thank you enough! Deric
Deric

Steve, just a note to say thanks.

I’ve been playing a long time, but your material, laid out in such a thoughtful way, helps me to understand concepts in a new and deeper way.

You are a true gift to the jazz community.

60 lessons and going strong,

Kevin Ledbetter

Kevin Ledbetter
I like so many other subscribers feel so encouraged by Steve’s learning techniques; you will enjoy reading the comments of praise others have left as you too will feel that you share a common view and path. I feel very lucky to have come across Neffmusic and that feeling will remain with you as you search through a treasure trove of learning materials on offer, you will quickly find the lessons that you are suited to. You will instantly recognize the unparalleled quality of Steve’s teaching … Read more
Stephen
Just to say thanks for your advice and lessons.  I’ve just read your amazing story.  I really appreciate what you do in regards to teaching.  I have bought a couple of your lessons and frankly they’re undersold.   I’ve learned much more with these two lessons than with 2 years of sax teachers.   Thanks so much………..
Mike

Steve,

I have played for many years and have enjoyed going “back to the basics” in some of your lessons!  You have such a gift for explaining concepts.  As I have gotten older, some of the basic things have gotten muddled because I just play, not knowing why.  As I refresh myself with “why”, it increases my confidence and expands my playing.  Thank you so much for using your gift!  You are a blessing!

Julia
Thank you so much for the great job you are doing to help further our jazz studies. Though I make my living as a repairer of musical instruments I am a student of jazz and have been fortunate enough to be involved with a big band and a combo for the last several years. As my children began to leave “the nest” I had decided to dedicate the next half of my life to a more serious study of the sax but I didn’t know exactly how I would go about doing this until a friend of mine turned me onto your si… Read more
Jon
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul
I can see from your instructional videos that you are a fantastic teacher – one that can truly relate to all ages – humble yet very positive in approach – never coming across as superior and yet so totally capable of demonstrating the principles and techniques that you seek to impart to the students. I have gained so much confidence in my playing from “pouring over” time and again these invaluable lessons. Invaluable not only in musical content, but also in human interaction content. I am absolu… Read more
Ron
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
Your major diatonic patterns book is great. I”m studying the first twenty patterns (first twenty pages) each day with different articulation each day and slowly increasing the tempo each week or so.  There is a noticeable improvement in finger coordination across all keys and its amazing how much more secure I feel on the difficult keys when attempting to play pieces with 5+ flats/sharps. I’m able to sort out the fingerings for these pieces now much more quickly than before, often in one or two … Read more
Geoff
I’ve been having ‘ online’  lessons with Steve for a few months now. Being a teacher myself I had had some reservations with the idea at first and the practicalities of it .  Let me just say that my playing has taken a huge leaps forward while studying with Steve and continues to do so.Steve studied with some renowned player/teachers such as Bergonzi and Garzone– this in itself is invaluable but Steve teaches from his own books, which cover a a vast amount of  jazz language. Steve h… Read more
David
I am a music book junkie and I have to say that your books are the most clear, user friendly, and helpful books I own.  They are my absolute favorites and I only wish I had them years ago.  I wouldn’t change a thing about the experience I had in acquiring my degree at Berklee, but my playing has perhaps grown more in the time I’ve spent buried in your books and lessons.  Keep up the great work!!! Thanks, John
John
Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
Gerry Aylward

Your material is great! I got your New Altissimo Lesson 6 months ago and I have learned more from that than in all my 44 years of playing! I appreciate your down to earth teaching method and I really appreciate the heart that you teach with. I have been a subscriber to your lessons for the past 6 months and I have learned a great deal. Over that period of time I have had some questions and you have never failed to respond. Thanks! I have already recommended your lessons to a number of players in… Read more

Michael Byington

Hi Steve,

First, I want to thank you for all of your great lessons. They are like a “For Dummies” version of all the books on my shelf. The lessons break things down into manageable pieces, and give me the confidence that I’m practicing the right pieces. I’m starting to make progress.   Thank You,   Kim

Kim

I must say again how much I appreciate all your material. Including the video tutorials. It help keep me focused and knowing what to aim for. And your laid back teaching style appeals to me too. 

Thanks

P

P
Thanks so much for putting all this great learning material out there. I don’t often have the time to take a lesson with a teacher, so the ability to download lessons is really invaluable. My playing has improved enormously (I think :)) – and the lessons are so varied there’s always something to be inspired by. Incredible value too!
Roger
I have been a member of Neffmusic for more than a year now and have enjoyed every minute of it! I have not only been going thru the Dominant Bebop Scale lessons and book (OUTSTANDING!) but the mouthpiece reviews, solo clips and transcriptions are very interesting. Steve approach to beginning and intermediate improv have given me many new pathways to teach my high school jazz ensemble students. Congratulations Steve, great product!
Craig
I’ve been a member of Steve’s site for about six months now and the difference it has made to my playing is immeasurable. The (many) benefits of this membership are that you can have lessons at time convenient to you, they work out A LOT cheaper than face-to-face lessons with a teacher of the same calibre and you can replay them ad infinitum. I don’t know how many times have I had lessons in the past where I’ve ended up covering the same concepts when really a ‘replay’ of the last lesson would h… Read more
Nick

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