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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

Bejamin Allen Dagradi Model Tenor Mouthpiece Review

February 10, 2015 by Steve 10 Comments

Today, I am reviewing two more hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpieces from Benjamin Allen. These are the 20TD model (also known as the Dagradi model after the great sax player Tony Dagradi).  Benjamin Allen was nice enough to send me 3 Dagradi mouthpieces to try and today I am reviewing two of those for you. (The 3rd one […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: 20TD, Benjamin Allen, review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone, Tony Dagradi

Transcriptions of Chris Potter On Rhythm Changes

January 30, 2015 by Steve 23 Comments

Here are two short transcriptions of solos Chris Potter did on a March 8, 2008 Masterclass. The bootleg was floating around the internet (www.dimeadozen.org) and I was lucky enough to grab it. In these two examples Chris is showing the differences in his playing style from when he was younger to now. The first solo […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Transcriptions Tagged With: chris potter, rhythm changes, solo, tenor sax

Donny McCaslin Blues Solo in 6ths Tenor Sax Transcription

January 30, 2015 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here’s another solo transcriptions I started working on yesterday. This is from a clinic recording of Donny McCaslin demonstrating using sixth intervals while improvising over a standard blues on the tenor saxophone.  I have no idea what this is from or even where I got it but it must have been on the internet somewhere.  I tried […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: blues solo, Donny McCaslin, Jazz Improvisation, jazz saxophone, sixths, tenor sax, transcription

David Mann’s Tenor Saxophone Solo-Sun Down Transcription

January 29, 2015 by Steve 1 Comment

Here’s another great David Mann transcription from a Bb Blues that was sent to me from Igor Tomanoski.  This is a solo that Dave played on the tune Sun Down.  I made a few minor additions and changes to the transcription of some notes and rhythms I heard.  This solo is another great example of […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: David Mann, Igor Tomanoski, Jazz Improvisation, Sun Down, tenor saxophone, transcription

Neffmusic Lessons: Where do I start?

January 26, 2015 by Steve Leave a Comment

Now that the Neffmusic site has over 500 lessons to choose from,  the two questions I get asked the most every week are:  “Where should I start?”  and  “What should I do next?” (Also, “What mouthpiece should I buy?” but that is a different subject than we are dealing with today). To answer these questions, I […]

Filed Under: Learning at Neffmusic Tagged With: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation, Neffmusic, saxophone school, self learning, video lessons

David Mann’s Tenor Saxophone Robusto Funky Solo Transcription

January 23, 2015 by Steve 4 Comments

Here’s another great David Mann transcription that was sent to me from Mark Sepinuck. John Blevins did all the hard work of transcribing this one. He’s braver than I am to tackle the cadenza at the end of this solo………..Thanks for transcribing this John! David Mann Here’s a short bio of Dave that I found […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: 10mFan, David Mann, funky solo, Robusto, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

David Mann’s Tenor Saxophone Robusto Blues Transcription

January 22, 2015 by Steve 8 Comments

Here’s another killin’ blues transcription I have been working on. This is 14 choruses of a swingin’ blues that David Mann recorded as a demo for the 10mFan Robusto hard rubber mouthpiece last year.  As soon as I heard this clip I put it on my list of solos to transcribe.  There are lots of great ideas and […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: 10mFan, blues transcription, David Mann, hard rubber, Robusto, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Chris Potter playing the alto saxophone at 15………….

January 17, 2015 by Steve 1 Comment

Here’s an interesting video I just found the other day!  This is Chris Potter playing a gig when he was 15 years old!   Chris Potter is one of the top tenor saxophone player’s in the world right now.  It is so interesting to hear where he was at when he was just 15 years […]

Filed Under: Jazz Videos Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, chris potter, jazz sax, video, young

Tony Dagradi Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription on Invitation

January 7, 2015 by Steve 1 Comment

So this week I wanted to keep to my transcription goal but things have been a bit hectic around here.  I was playing a Benjamin Allen Tony Dagradi model tenor mouthpiece most of today while I was practicing and it reminded me of a Tony Dagradi solo on Invitation that I had heard a while […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Invitation, jazz sax, tenor saxophone, Tony Dagradi, transcription

Michael Brecker Transcription-Blue Bossa 1985

December 24, 2014 by Steve 11 Comments

Happy Holidays Everyone!!    Here’s another new transcription I have been working on. It’s Christmas Eve, the wife and kids are in bed, the presents are under the tree, not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse, when down from Steve’s office arose such a clatter, the sound of Michael Brecker……that was the matter………. This is […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: 1985, Blue Bossa, jazz sax, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone, transcription

Ken Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece Review

December 20, 2014 by Steve 7 Comments

Today, I am reviewing my first hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece from Ken Okutsu in Japan. It is the high baffle model and has an 8 tip opening which is .110.  I hadn’t heard of Ken Okutsu before but he emailed me asking if I would be willing to try his mouthpieces.   I of course […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: hard rubber, high baffle, Ken Okutsu, mouthpiece review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Michael Brecker Transcription of Confirmation-Berklee Clinic 1987

December 16, 2014 by Steve 6 Comments

Here’s another new transcription I’m working on.  Every once in a while I get in a mood to transcribe some Michael Brecker.  Then, after I get started I soon think “What the heck was I thinking?  This is crazy!”  It’s usually after I have slowed down one section to the slowest it can possibly go and […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: 1987, Berklee clinic, Confirmation, jazz sax, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone

9 Great Tenor Saxophone Mouthpieces to Compare

December 13, 2014 by Steve 11 Comments

This is from a comparison post I made some years ago of 9 great tenor saxophone mouthpieces.   I thought it was worthy of a repost since it has been awhile since I made it.   On all 9 clips I’m just playing a simple Bb blues (C for tenor) I’m trying to keep it relatively […]

Filed Under: Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: comparison, sax mouthpiece, sound clips, tenor saxophone

Great Transcription of George Coleman over Cherokee Changes

December 10, 2014 by Steve 6 Comments

Here’s a burnin’ tenor saxophone solo from the great tenor saxophonist, George Coleman.  This is from his album “Amsterdam After Dark”.  The solo is from the tune “Apache Dance” which has a solo section over the changes of “Cherokee”. I was actually given this solo transcription by a teacher at Berklee College of Music almost […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Apache Dance, Cherokee, George Coleman, jazz sax, tenor saxophone, transcription

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Testimonials

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

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
Steve really changed my way of practicing: I got a whole lot of new ideas for my playing the tenor.  His lessons are really helpful, give a lot stuff to practice and give clear answers to complicated stuff.  Steve has a lot of humor and I wish I had laughed so much in my former days with the horn.  All topics, from Blues to Approach note are dealt with clearness that wet ones appetite to play and practice that great ideas.
Uwe
Hi Steve, I can’t express just how much I appreciate your teaching. My playing has improved so much over the past year since I have been studying and practicing with your lessons. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, these lessons are proof! Thanks, Michael Byington
Michael Byington

Steve,  Just want to say thanks for all you are doing for all of us. I’ve learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.

If you can give some tips on One Note Samba, Ceora, and Wave… that would be cool.  I really like learning how you apply your concepts to actual songs!

Have a great year,

Kevin Ledbetter

I've learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul

Thank You Steve. I think that I will be busy for years. Thank You for your great contribution to jazz music. Your books, more than teaching “how to play jazz”, actually teach “how to speak jazz”. I wish I found your methods years ago.  

Jean-Eric
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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella

Hello Steve, I’m getting so much out of your lessons and books, amazing how much one may think one knows, there is always a new frontier or new way to view something you think you had somewhat down. You have taken it all to a new level and am so grateful. Your lessons are so down to earth and understandable and clear!  Thanks so much Steve! Cheers, Eddie

Eddie Parente
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
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 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
Just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for being you, your playing, your website and your desire to help others. I’m a professional musician in the US Army and I’ve visited your website almost every day since discovering it a couple of months ago. Your lessons are profound and easy to use. I’ve purchased most of your PDF books and now am starting to delve more into the video and audio lessons.  Thank you for being a great resource!
James
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
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

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

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 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
Hey Steve, I’m a 22-year-old from Australia. I thought it would be worth saying. You’re an absolute legend. I can’t thank you enough. You have helped me rekindle my love for the saxophone and music as a whole. All the best for the future, your work doesn’t go unnoticed. PS. I am loving your devastating minor lines pdf.
Sapph
Hi Steve, I have been shedding your materials for quite a while now and I love them! They are extremely well organized and presented and there are tons of ’em! I really appreciate your methodical approach and find myself referring students to your resources often.  Thanks so much!  
Kenyon Carter
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
I would like to say that in the last year my sax playing has progressed loads from your lessons. I have had a sax for about 20 years and dabbled with lessons from a few teachers and have learnt very little from them. As you have said in your lessons many teachers tell you to use the blues scale and leave it there, not even showing you the resolution points!!. I am now believing I can in time become a good improviser.
Thanks again,
Shane
Shane

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

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