I just finished a brand new Neffmusic book that I am very excited about. The description is below: An inside approach to outside playing using pentatonics, chromaticism, 3-tonic systems and intervallic patterns to produce modern lines in the style of Michael Brecker and Bob Berg. Devastating Minor Lines contains 100 16th note lines written out […]
Saxophone Microphone Review and Audio Shootout
I recently had a member on my site (Walter Ruckdeschel) post an in-depth review of 8 different stand mounted microphones that can be used for live gigs. I was so fascinated that I asked him if I could post his finding here for everyone to see. If I didn’t have my hands full teaching and […]
FREE 12 Blues Scales Sheet
Here’s a free sheet I give to all my students after they learn their major scales. It’s just a sheet with all the 12 Blues Scales on it. When I teach my students to use the blues scale I teach them to try to move off the #4 note quickly when playing. Many student who […]
Vigilante Detroit Rock Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Jennifer Price at Vigilante Mouthpieces. There are 10 models to choose from on the Vigilante website. Today, I am reviewing the Detroit Rock which is the brightest mouthpiece that they make. (I also just did a review of the NYII to which is their 4th brightest mouthpiece) […]
Vigilante NYII Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Jennifer Price at Vigilante Mouthpieces. There are 10 models to choose from on the Vigilante website. Today, I am reviewing the New York II which is the 4th brightest mouthpiece that they make. (I also have a Detroit Rock to review next which is their brightest mouthpiece.) […]
Mouthpiece Recording Test Survey
I have been experimenting lately with different recording distances and settings for my mouthpiece reviews. Usually, I record dry with no effects about 2 feet from the microphone. I’ve noticed that darker sounding mouthpieces can sound rich and beautiful in this setting but many times the brighter more powerful mouthpieces can sound harsh, shrill, edgy, […]
Best Neffmusic Lesson Commercial?
I just found this post from a number of years ago. All the links were broken and the videos didn’t play. I thought I’d fix the videos and post this again as I think these are funny. My wife made these as a joke for the site. They are a bit “Hollywood” and over the […]
Joel Frahm Jazz Improvisation Clinic
I emailed Joel Frahm the other day and asked if I could post this great masterclass he did in Prague years ago. He said “No problem” which I was very excited about. I have been a great fan of his going back many years. I went through a stage where I was listening to a […]
Absolute “Alto+” Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Alto +”. There is also an Alto AL, Alto ST and an Alto R model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Soprano and Tenor saxophones as well. […]
Absolute Alto ST Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Alto ST”. There is also an Alto AL, Alto + and a Alto R model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Soprano and Tenor saxophones as well. […]
Absolute “Soprano +” Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Soprano +”. (I call it a ST model in the recording but it is the + model) There is also a Soprano AL, Soprano ST and a Soprano R model on their website. […]
The Mystery Behind Steve’s Minivan………….
Many of you throughout the years, have been surprised and shocked that a cool guy like myself would be driving a 2006 Minivan. I know, I know, you expected me to pull up to the gig with a Lexus, Mercedes or Lamborghini. This video basically sums up why I bought the minivan and why I […]
The John Coltrane Omnibook Review
*I posted all the recordings I could find on Youtube that go with this transcription book at the bottom of this review………Enjoy! Those of you who know me and my musical history know the impact the Charlie Parker Omnibook has had on me since I discovered it in High School many years ago. I was […]
Silverstein Saxophone Ligature Review
Today, I am reviewing a new ligature made by Silverstein Works. For years I have heard about the amazing results that musicians would get from string ligatures. These whispers and rumors were usually heard on different clarinet boards and forums that I would visit. These posts were so compelling and convincing that I had […]
Blue Bossa Bob Mintzer Solo Transcription
Bob Mintzer has been one of my favorite tenor saxophone players for as long as I can remember. Around 1986 or so I remember he came to Ithaca College in NY to play with our big band. We worked up a number of Bob Mintzer big band charts and Bob played great during that concert […]
The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer (PDF Book)
The “New and Improved” Ultimate II-V-I Primer is finally done. The purpose of this book is to give beginner to intermediate jazz improvisers a complete and thorough method to learn many of the note possibilities in a II-V-I progression in a systematic and organized way. I have written this book so that it starts with […]
Absolute Resin Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy. This model is called the “AltoR”model. There is also an Alto AL, Alto ST and an Alto + model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Tenor and Soprano saxophones as well. The AL […]
Phil-Tone Sapphire Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing another new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone mouthpieces. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past. The Equinox, the Eclipse, the Solstice and most recently the Tribute. When Phil contacted me a couple of months ago about […]
Absolute “Tenorer” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy. This model is called the “Tenorer”. There is also a Tenor AL, Tenor ST and a Tenor + model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone,Alto and Soprano saxophones as well. The AL model […]
Drake Stubbie Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today I am reviewing another great Aaron Drake mouthpiece called the “Stubbie”. It is modeled after the Dukoff “Stubbie” model from the 1950’s. I don’t know much about the Dukoff “Stubbies” and have never played one as of yet. I’ll leave any facts about the original “Stubbie” model to the mouthpiece “gurus” and collectors out […]
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