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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

Macsax Bob Sheppard Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

November 13, 2012 by Steve 10 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new MacSax tenor saxophone mouthpiece that is made by Eric Falcon.  I have reviewed a number of other mouthpieces in the past that were made or refaced by Eric Falcon including the LA, FJIII tenor mouthpiece and Bob Sheppard alto mouthpiece which were all great. This mouthpiece is the Bob […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bob Sheppard, Eric Falcon, MacSax, saxophone, tenor mouthpiece

Macsax Bob Sheppard Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

November 12, 2012 by Steve 9 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new MacSax alto saxophone mouthpiece that is made by Eric Falcon.  I have reviewed a number of other mouthpieces in the past that were made or refaced by Eric Falcon including the LA and FJIII tenor mouthpieces which were both great.  This mouthpiece is the Bob Sheppard alto saxophone model.  […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Bob Sheppard, Eric Falcon, MacSax, sax mouthpiece

New Recording by Neffmusic Member Christian Nickel

November 7, 2012 by Steve 2 Comments

  A few weeks ago, I received an email from a member of my site with a recording attached to it.  The recording was so good that I wanted to share it with all of you.   The students name is Christian Nickel and here is the email he sent: “Hi Steve Attached one of my […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: Christian Nickel, I See You Albedo, Neffmusic, recording

Rafael Navarro Bahia Metal Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

November 1, 2012 by Steve 14 Comments

This is a new metal tenor saxophone mouthpiece by Rafael Navarro.  There has been a lot of “buzz” going on about the Navarro line of mouthpieces over the last few months.  As of this review, Rafael has 3 models available for the tenor saxophone. The Maestra, the Bahia and the Bob Mintzer Bebop Special. All […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bahia, Rafael Navarro, review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Marmaduke Hard Rubber Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

October 23, 2012 by Steve Leave a Comment

Today, I am reviewing another alto saxophone mouthpiece that is made by Alex Miyatake in Japan.   I have reviewed two of his Marmaduke alto mouthpieces in the past but this one I’m reviewing today is a new version that has had some modification made to it from the older versions.   This alto mouthpieces […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, hard rubber, Marmaduke, sax mouthpiece

Rafael Navarro Maestra Metal Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

September 18, 2012 by Steve 26 Comments

This is a new metal tenor saxophone mouthpiece by Rafael Navarro. There has been a lot of “buzz” going on about the Navarro line of mouthpieces over the last few months.  As of this review,  Rafael has 3 models available for the tenor saxophone.  The Maestra, the Bahia and the Bob Mintzer Bebop Special.  All […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Maestra, Rafael Navarro, review, sax mouthpiece, sound clip, tenor saxophone

Steve’s Ultimate Real Book

September 7, 2012 by Steve 13 Comments

Back in the 1980’s when I left high school for college I learned of a book called the Real Book that had hundreds of great jazz tunes in it. Up until that point in my life I had never heard of it.   The only tunes I knew were a bunch of Charlie Parker heads and […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: jazz songs, jazz standards, jazz tunes, Real Book

Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

June 18, 2012 by Steve 7 Comments

This is a new metal tenor saxophone mouthpiece by Pete Thomas.  The  PPT metal mouthpieces have similar internal dimensions to the Onyxite PPT that I reviewed a few years ago.  The facings are based on Ed Pillinger’s original facings, and are machined from solid brass.  They are then hand finished by Morgan Fry.  Morgan Fry […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Ed Pillinger, morgan fry, Pete Thomas, PPT, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Morgan Fry Rhodium Large Chamber Tenor Mouthpiece

June 2, 2012 by Steve 15 Comments

This is a new mouthpiece by Morgan Fry.  Morgan Fry is a great mouthpiece refacer over in England.  He is now making his very own mouthpieces and has a few different models listed on his website.  This tenor sax mouthpiece is called the Rhodium Large Chambered mouthpiece. Brian at Sax-ccesories in California was nice enough […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: morgan fry, otto link, rhodium, sax mouthpiece, silver, tenor saxophone

Chris Potter Plays Acapella Solo Standards by Eli Bennett Review

March 27, 2012 by Steve 2 Comments

Chris Potter has been one of my favorite tenor saxophone players for about the last 10 years.  I remember being on a gig somewhere and a friend of mine said “Have you heard Chris Potter?”   When I said “No”, he just shook his head and said  “Dude, you’ve got to check this guy out!”  I […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: chris potter, Eli Bennett, jazz transcriptions, saxophone solos, tenor sax

Aizen Gold JazzMaster Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 22, 2012 by Steve 2 Comments

This is a new Aizen Gold JazzMaster tenor saxophone mouthpiece that I received in the mail a couple of weeks ago.  It is a 7* tip opening which is a .105.  If you follow my blog regularly, then you will already know that I have reviewed a number of  Aizen hard rubber mouthpieces for the […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Aizen, gold, Jazzmaster, review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Macsax D Model Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 17, 2012 by Steve 9 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new MacSax alto saxophone mouthpiece that is made by Eric Falcon. I have reviewed a number of other mouthpieces in the past that were made or refaced by Eric Falcon which I loved.  This mouthpiece is the D model and is made of hard rubber. MacSax D Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, D model.hard rubber, Eric Falcon, MacSax, saxophone mouthpiece

SaxZ Dave Sanborn Hard Rubber Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 7, 2012 by Steve 21 Comments

This is a SaxZ “Dave Sanborn” hard rubber alto saxophone mouthpiece.  SaxZ is a company in Japan which is run by Mitsu Watanabe.  I have reviewed a metal SAXZ Dave Sanborn model in the past and was curious to try the hard rubber model.   This mouthpiece has an 8 tip opening. SaxZ Dave Sanborn Hard […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, Dave Sanborn, hard rubber, saxophone mouthpiece, SaxZ

Lamberson F Major Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 6, 2012 by Steve 5 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a Fred Lamberson F Major alto saxophone mouthpiece. Fred Lamberson has been making great mouthpieces for years. He hasn’t been making as many in recent years so they are harder to find recently. Most of the sax players who have one seem to be hanging on to them, as you don’t […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, delrin, F Major, Fred Lamberson, sax mouthpiece

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NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

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

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

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
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
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

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
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

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, 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 have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul
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
Thank you for the wealth of helpful lessons you’ve provided over the years.  I truly feel as though it has improved my playing more than the 4 years I spent at Berklee… and that’s not a slight on the school as I loved my experience there.
John
John
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
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
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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
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

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

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

I want to thank you again, because, not only are you an inspiration to listen to, you are a fine teacher!

I have been teaching sax and other winds for over 20 years, and you give me that “push” to give my students more!

Mark Peotter

Mark Peotter

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.
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 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

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