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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

Absolute “Alto+” Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

December 18, 2013 by Steve 5 Comments

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.  […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute, Alto Saxophone, sax mouthpiece, ST

Absolute Alto ST Saxophone Mouthpiece

December 18, 2013 by Steve 5 Comments

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. […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute, Alto Saxophone, sax mouthpiece, ST

Absolute “Soprano +” Saxophone Mouthpiece

December 18, 2013 by Steve 6 Comments

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. […]

Filed Under: Soprano Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute, bill evans, mouthpiece review, sax mouthpiece, soprano saxophone

The Mystery Behind Steve’s Minivan………….

December 4, 2013 by Steve 2 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News

The John Coltrane Omnibook Review

November 18, 2013 by Steve 8 Comments

*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 […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: John Coltrane, Omnibook, review, solos, tenor saxophone, Transcriptions

Silverstein Saxophone Ligature Review

November 11, 2013 by Steve 29 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: alto sax, saxophone ligature, Silverstein, string ligature, tenor sax

Blue Bossa Bob Mintzer Solo Transcription

November 1, 2013 by Steve 18 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Blue Bossa, Bob Mintzer, Bop Boy, tenor saxophone, transcription

The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer (PDF Book)

September 17, 2013 by Steve 4 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News

Absolute Resin Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

September 10, 2013 by Steve 9 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute.alto saxophone.sax mouthpiece, resin

Phil-Tone Sapphire Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

September 9, 2013 by Steve 16 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: hard rubber, Phil Engleman, Phil-tone, Sapphire, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Absolute “Tenorer” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 22, 2013 by Steve 18 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute, resin, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Drake Stubbie Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 20, 2013 by Steve 16 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, Dukoff, sax mouthpiece, stubbie, tenor saxophone

Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

July 26, 2013 by Steve 24 Comments

Today, I’m reviewing an old 1950’s Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.  It was originally a 5 tip opening but was opened up to a 7 or .100 tip opening at some point.  These Florida double ring mouthpieces were made in the 1950’s by the Otto Link company.  This mouthpiece I have is […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: double ring, florida, otto link, review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

July 18, 2013 by Steve 11 Comments

Today, I m reviewing a Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model.  It has a .108 tip opening.  I am lucky that I could borrow this from a friend on SOTW (Sax on the Web).  This is one of his favorite mouthpieces but he let me have it for a few weeks so I could do a […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Focustone, sax mouthpiece, Standard Model, Ted Klum, tenor saxophone

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Testimonials

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
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’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
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
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
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!
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 enjoying your style of teaching, and you’ve done a great job with the videos….good sound quality and well constructed lessons.  Balances the more guitaristic material found on the majority of guitar based programs.  Jazz vocab is what I’m all about at this point in the journey.   I especially dig the fact that you’ve studied with Bergonzi…helps me see his voluminous output in a more  bite sized way.
Milton
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 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

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
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
I just joined Neff Music last month. I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been to be able to pick back up on lessons. I’ve been in a rut and you got me out! I’ve especially appreciated the Lesson Path section. It was so clear I knew exactly where to jump in and start. Many many thanks!
Karin
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 bought Steve’s dominant bebop book and took a couple of online lesson from him. I really appreciated Steve’s careful listening of what I wanted to get done in a lesson and his clear, concise ideas on next steps to improve my playing and musical interpretation.  His mastering  the Dominant Bebop Scale has lots of exercises to use a scale that addresses the largest percentage of chords I come across in pop/blues music. The dominant V7.  Needless say it has improved my playing.  I teach and a… Read more
Keith
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

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 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

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
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
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 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
I’ve been downloading your lessons for 4 months now (20 lesson) and I have noticed tremendous growth in my playing thus far! I’m so happy that I stumbled upon your site!
Bob
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

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