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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

Joe Allard Overtone Exercise for Saxophone

April 7, 2016 by Steve 10 Comments

I wanted to share this great saxophone Overtone exercise that Dr. David Demsey wrote out a number of years ago.   Dr. Demsey studied with Joe Allard from 1977-1980 and is the Coordinator of Jazz Studies and Professor of Music at William Paterson University. There is a great interview with Dr. Demsey about Joe Allard that any of you […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: altissimo, David Demsey, education, Joe Allard, overtones, PDF, sax, saxophone

Michael Brecker on Three Quartets with Chick Corea

April 2, 2016 by Steve 4 Comments

I just found this on Youtube this morning and wanted to share it. This video was made in 2003 and is a reunion concert of the original musicians from Chick Corea’s “Three Quartets” album. Chick Corea, Michael Brecker,Eddie Gomez and Steve Gadd. Three Quartets was released in 1981 and was one of the first albums […]

Filed Under: Jazz Videos Tagged With: Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez, Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd, tenor saxophone, Three Quartets, video

Saxophone Lessons in Montpelier Vermont!

March 8, 2016 by Steve Leave a Comment

Jazz Saxophone Lessons near Montpelier Vermont! I’ve just finished setting up my teaching studio in Waitsfield, Vermont.  If you live near the Montpelier Vermont area and are interested in saxophone lessons I am now accepting students.  Montpelier is a city in central Vermont and is about a half hour from Waitsfield Vermont. I teach saxophone and specialize in jazz […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: Barre, Berlin, Burlington, harwood union, high school, Jazz Education, Monpelier, sax lessons, saxophone teacher, Stowe, Vermont, Waitsfield, Waterbury Center, Williston

Saxquest “The Core” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

March 5, 2016 by Steve 15 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the new “The Core” hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece from Saxquest. Mark Overton over at Saxquest came out with two new hard rubber tenor sax mouthpieces a few months ago called “The Bridge” (hand faced by Eric Falcon) and “The Core” (hand faced by James Bunte). Mark said that the purpose  behind making these […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Core, jazz sax, Mark Overton, mouthpiece, Saxquest, tenor saxophone

Saxquest “The Bridge” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

March 4, 2016 by Steve 12 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the new “The Bridge” hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece from Saxquest. Mark Overton over at Saxquest came out with two new hard rubber tenor sax mouthpieces a few months ago called “The Bridge” and “The Core”. Mark said that the purpose  behind making these two mouthpieces was to try to recapture the sound and […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bridge, early babbitt, EB Link, saxophone mouthpiece, Saxquest, tenor sax

A Blast from the Past-Chromazone by Mike Stern Cover

March 2, 2016 by Steve 4 Comments

This weekend, I was going through my vast computer files and trying to clean out the gigabytes of junk I had on my computer when I discovered this old clip. This is from a recording session I did way back in the early 90’s.  I think I was about 25 at the time and in […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Chromazone, cover, Mike Stern, steve neff, tenor saxophone

Chris Potter Transcription of Cherokee in 10 Keys

February 4, 2016 by Steve 9 Comments

So check this out!  About 10 days ago,  I was on SOTW (Sax on the Web)  looking through various posts about saxophone stuff when I ran across a post by a recent member from Spain I didn’t know named”ffjay” that read: Hi all! Guess you’d listen one of the stunning Chris Potter’s solo playing Cherokee in […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Cherokee, chris potter, masterclass, sax solo, tenor sax, transcription

Tenor Madness New EBII Tenor Mouthpiece Review

January 1, 2016 by Steve 15 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the new Tenor Madness EBII hard rubber tenor mouthpiece.  Randy Jones over at Tenor Madness caused quite a stir in the saxophone world when he came out with a “new” EB (Early Babbitt) version of the Otto Link tenor mouthpiece a number of years ago which I reviewed here.  At the time, […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews Tagged With: early babbitt, jazz mouthpiece, Randy Jones, review, tenor madness, tenor saxophone

Body and Soul: The Evolution of a Tenor Saxophone Standard Review

January 1, 2016 by Steve 7 Comments

For the last couple of weeks,  I have been diligently working through a great new book by Eric Allen entitled Body and Soul — The Evolution of a Tenor Saxophone Standard: Transcriptions and analysis of solos by: Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Stan Getz, Sonny … Brecker, Chris Potter, Spiral-Bound Book Body and Soul — The […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: Body and Soul, Eric Allen, jazz sax, tenor saxophone, Transcriptions

Chris Potter Masterclass 12-04-2015 Akron, Ohio

December 22, 2015 by Steve 4 Comments

Here’s another great Chris Potter masterclass from 12-4-15 in Akron, Ohio that someone posted on Youtube.  This is just an audio of the masterclass.  Chris Potter’s opening solo on Cherokee is amazing as usual.  I can’t get enough of these solos and masterclasses!  Check it out!

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: Cherokee, chris potter, Improvisation, masterclass, tenor saxophone

Forestone Hinoki Synthetic Reeds Review

December 10, 2015 by Steve 35 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a product that I never ever thought I would review.  The product is a synthetic reed.  (*Before you read further, I need to state in all honesty, that I have always hated, detested and scorned every synthetic reed I have ever tried.  Over the last 20 years I have at times tried […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: cane reeds, Forestone, hinoki, saxophone, synthetic reed

Liu Shizhao Studio Prototype Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

December 4, 2015 by Steve 6 Comments

About a month ago, I was on Facebook just browsing through peoples posts when I came upon some beautiful pictures of some mouthpieces I had never seen before.  These were posted by Liu Shizhao who lives in Beijing, China and who makes mouthpieces.   Judging from the pictures I saw, these were masterfully made mouthpieces! […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, China, Liu Shizhao, mouthpiece review, Studio Prototype

Seamus Blake “Billie’s Bounce” Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription

December 3, 2015 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here’s another great blues solo transcription from one of my favorite players, Seamus Blake.  This is a fast blues called “Billie’s Bounce” and is from an obscure CD entitled “Sax Summit”.   I say obscure because I am probably one of the biggest fans and followers of jazz saxophone recordings and I had never heard of it […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Billie's Bounce, blues, Seamus Blake, solo transcription, tenor saxophone

The Dick Oatts Solo Collection Review

December 2, 2015 by Steve 3 Comments

  Today I am reviewing an awesome new transcription book of solos by alto saxophonist Dick Oatts.  Dan Bayliss wrote the transcriptions and did the work of putting this ebook together.  It includes 9 solos from 3 albums and is 68 pages long. The CD’s the solos are from are Dick Oatts “Standard Issue Volume […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Jazz Education Tagged With: alto sax, Dan Bayliss, Dick Oatts, jazz saxophone, jazz standards, Transcriptions

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Testimonials

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 have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul

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
I just started looking at my lessons and I have to say, dude you are awesome.  I ABSOLUTELY will learn from you!  I started the tenor about 1 ½ yrs ago and have since picked up an alto, and more recently a soprano.  I spend most of the time on the tenor, followed by soprano, and have only gotten to the alto a few times.  I think I’ll be sticking with tenor.  I’m having a great time and hope one day to play well enough to get regular gigs.  I’ve been playing keys for about 35 years (… Read more
Wil
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
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

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
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

Love your lessons!  I have been using your lesson packages for many months now, and am learning a lot.  It is so perfect for me with a very busy adult schedule and difficulty in taking jazz/improv music lessons from reputable instructors who live and hour or more away from me.

Lenore

Hello Steve,

I just want to say thank you so much for your unbelievable work, it is just mind opening, thanks for sharing it.

Wolfgang from Berlin

Wolfgang from Berlin
I just wanted to write a thank you note to you for this website. I play and teach saxophone, but I have always been intimidated by the gear aspect. Your website has helped me become a lot more knowledgable. Your knowledge is staggering! I’m telling all my students about your website. Pierre
Pierre
I can’t say enough about my membership at Neff Music. Steve has taken the mystery out of playing the saxophone well and improvising both jazz and rock music. Like most struggling players I have a load of all sorts of books on my shelf just gathering dust. Books that I didn’t understand or know how to put to use…or just have the time to go threw them. Steve’s lessons really simplify things and he puts it in a way that I can understand. They inspire me to keep pushing and having him as my guide or… Read more
Ken
For anyone living in remote areas away from live jazz sax teachers, Neff is the way to go. In fact this is a great resource for anyone seriously interested in mastering the sax. I’ve never been disappointed in a lesson.
Oliver
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
By the way, BIG COMPLIMENTS to you, Steve! Not only are you a great player, you are also a great teacher! I, too, am a woodwinds player/teacher. I have new inspiration to play and teach because of you. The concepts and “thinking” is similar to what I already learned in College, but hearing you explain and PLAY the concepts REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE! Also, your written patterns are more interesting than other books I have seen! Keep up the good work. I will be recommending your sit… Read more
I will be recommending your site to others!
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

Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude
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

After reading your story I will never feel quite right about complaining about any of my MINOR health issues!!    God bless Steve and I really hope that your health doesn’t stop you from fulfilling your calling.    These books have been such a help to open up my jazz vocabulary…   Thanks so much for sharing your story and for providing these great teaching tools…   John Leclerc   Saxophonist / composer/ EWI player and professional working musician of 35 years….

John Leclerc

I want to thank you for your “Ultimate II-V-I Primer”  which has sent me off on a much better path to improvisation.  The primer and the four bound books I have will keep me busy for a long time.  I like your lessons for two reasons.  The lessons work and THEY ARE FUN.  Thanks again.

Robert

Robert
I want to say something about Steve Neff’s series of lessons, Beginner Jazz Improvisation. For a couple of years I tried many beginner lessons and my problem was that there was a gap between lessons that were fairly simple and ones that I was not quite ready for and my progress stalled out. That problem was solved with the series Beginner Jazz Improvisation. He guides you step by step along the way and builds a foundation for learning jazz and blues. He leaves no question about what to practice … Read more
Pete
Two years later I began a search for a sax teacher and happened to come across Steve Neff when I was searching YouTube for sax teachers.  I went to neffmusic.com and was very impressed with the lessons Steve Neff was offering.  The concept of selecting lessons was an approach that I thought was unique and purchased a few lessons.  I liked the lessons so much that I signed-up for a 6 month package. I was very happy with all the lessons I selected.  I also purchased Steve’s book Mastering the B… Read more
Michael
Just a brief note to compliment you on your teaching skills and in particular for the honesty of your lessons.  I am a returning alto sax player in my 50’s and I was looking for a no nonsense, straight to the point kind of guidance. I had intended to email you with a few questions regarding the use of the bis key but then I noticed that there was a lesson on that specific topic and after viewing it,  all my questions were answered. I once took a group lesson with a well known professional sax … Read more
Patrick

Mr. Neff,  I want to thank you for sharing your God-given talents through your on-line lessons.  My husband, Michael, is blind, but he is a great sax player and he has been enjoying your lessons for quite some time now.  It’s not unusual for me to hear “Hey, babe, listen to THIS!” – and he will cut loose on his sax, just thrilled at what he learned during his session with you.  His excitement warms my heart!  You have no idea how much you have poured into my husband.  You have opened musical … Read more

Carole B

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