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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

Warburton Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece by Eric Falcon

July 12, 2010 by Steve 8 Comments

This is a Warburton soprano saxophone mouthpiece made by Eric Falcon.  This is one of the best soprano mouthpieces I have had the pleasure of playing.   It plays effortlessly and has a big fat soprano sound to it.  The first day I played on it, I actually recorded a few lessons with it because I […]

Filed Under: Soprano Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Eric Falcon, soprano mouthpiece, soprano saxophone, Warburton mouthpieces

Theo Wanne Gaia 6 Hard Rubber Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

July 9, 2010 by Steve 11 Comments

This is another great mouthpiece by Theo Wanne.  This is a Gaia 6 alto saxophone mouthpiece that came with a Macsax alto that I’m trying out (more on that later).  This sax mouthpiece has  a nice baffle in it as you can see from the pictures. The baffle slopes down into the chamber and is […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto mouthpiece, Alto Saxophone, Gaia mouthpiece, Theo Wanne

Warburton Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

July 5, 2010 by Steve 5 Comments

This is a new Warburton alto saxophone mouthpiece.  These are made by Eric Falcon who is a top notch mouthpiece refacer.  This mouthpiece has an .080 tip opening.  I consider it to have a brighter sound but still fat sounding.  It’s a bit fatter sounding than the PT Meyer that I put up yesterday.  There […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto mouthpiece, Eric Falcon, Warburton mouthpieces

Meyer Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Refaced by Phil Engleman

July 3, 2010 by Steve 19 Comments

This is a new Meyer medium chamber alto saxophone mouthpiece that is made by JJ Babbitt.  If you have been an alto saxophone player for any length of time you will know the  mouthpiece name “Meyer”.   It is one of the most popular alto saxophone mouthpieces ever sold.   When I was a kid, i remember […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto mouthpiece, Alto Saxopone, Meyer alto, Phil Engleman

John Thomas Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

June 21, 2010 by Steve 12 Comments

Here we have a John Thomas tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  I actually played this about a year ago but the recording has been sitting on my computer since.  I totally forgot about it until this morning when I read a thread on “Sax on the Web” asking about  John Thomas and his mouthpiece work. This mouthpiece […]

Filed Under: Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: John Thomas, sax mouthpiece, tenor mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Eric Falcon Custom Hard Rubber Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

June 18, 2010 by Steve 11 Comments

Here is my review of a custom hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece that Eric Falcon made.  A friend of mine sent me this to try with 2 metal links as well.  This is an example of a great hard rubber mouthpiece.  I actually have played this mouthpiece for about a week now and love it […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Eric Falcon, hard rubber, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax

Otto Link Super Tone Master Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Refaced by Eric Falcon

June 18, 2010 by Steve 12 Comments

This is another Modern Otto Link Super Tone Master I received to try out.  This one was originally a 7 tip (.100) but was refaced and oped up to a .110 by Eric Falcon.  From what I understand Eric Falcon used to do mouthpiece work for Jody Espina of Jody Jazz.  He now is  refacing […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Eric Falcon, otto link, refased, saxophone mouthpiece, Super Tone Master, tenor mouthpiece

Modern STM Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Refaced by Brian Powell

June 18, 2010 by Steve 8 Comments

This is a modern Super Tone Master Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpiece.   Everyone knows that buying a modern metal Otto Link is pretty much a roll of the dice.  I remember going to a music store and trying 10 of them and not liking any of them.  Many times over the years I have stopped […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, otto link, Super Tone Master, tenor saxophone

Frank Wess & Scott Robinson Tenor Saxophone Blues Up and Down

June 1, 2010 by Steve 2 Comments

I’ve been listening to a bunch of different versions of “Blues Up & Down” lately.   I love hearing two distinct tenor saxophone players going at it.  Some people like to refer to this as a “battle”.  They like to talk afterwards about who “won”.   To me, those type of people  need to grow […]

Filed Under: Jazz Videos Tagged With: Blues Up and Down, Frank Wess, Scott Robinson

Pete Thomas PPT Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece 7* Review

June 1, 2010 by Steve 20 Comments

This is a great mouthpiece from Pete Thomas over in the UK.  I emailed him a few months ago because I was interested in trying one of his tenor mouthpieces.   He was kind enough to send me this one.  I’m not sure what it is made of  but it looks pretty cool.  It’s looks […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: high baffle, Pete Thomas, PPT tenor mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

“Live” Guardala Laser Trimmed Michael Brecker II Saxophone Mouthpiece

May 3, 2010 by Steve 19 Comments

Here’s another live clip I dug out of my computer. This is a more  mellow clip of a solo on the tune “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones.  To be honest, I’m one for staying in the mood of the tune when I solo.  I can’t stand it when I hear a slow ballad […]

Filed Under: Live Recordings, Tenor High Baffle Reviews Tagged With: Guardala, laser trimmed, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone, WWBW

“Live” Clip of a Yamaha WX-5 Harmonica Solo

April 30, 2010 by Steve 7 Comments

I didn’t think I would ever do this but…………about once a month I get an email from someone asking if I can put up some sound clips and lessons on the Yamaha WX-5 wind controller.  A Yamaha WX-5 is what is known as a wind controller.  You blow air into and finger it just like […]

Filed Under: Live Recordings Tagged With: saxophone, sound clip, wind controller, Yamaha WX-5

“Live” Solo on “What’s Going On”-Lamberson L7

April 30, 2010 by Steve 5 Comments

Here’s another live clip I dug out of my computer.  I have hundreds of these and every once in awhile I’ll go through and see what I can find.  This is a clip of my saxophone solo on “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye at some event in Boston.  As with most of these clips […]

Filed Under: Live Recordings Tagged With: Fred Lamberson, Lamberson L7, tenor saxophone mouthpiece

Drake Vintage Resin Jazz Tenor Mouthpiece

April 28, 2010 by Steve 6 Comments

This is a new tenor saxophone mouthpiece I received in the mail last week from Aaron Drake. Drake mouthpieces have been around for a number of years and Aaron is best known for his Ceramic mouthpieces which I have reviewed here before. Recently, he has updated his website www.DrakeMouthpieces.com and come out with a new […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, Jazz model, NY Jazz, Son of Slant, tenor mouthpiece, tenor saxophone, vintage resin

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Testimonials

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

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 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
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
It is so refreshing to have a great player, who can provide lessons and examples in a manner which is understandable to most any enthusiastic saxophonist who is ready to improve. not just the, do this, do that, memorize this, memorize that… while all that is absolutely necessary, you go on to give reasons and examples to explain and validate why you have to do all of these things, the benefits, if you will… that is the key for me, you tell, explain, demonstrate, explain some more, you give perso… Read more
Cedric

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’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 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
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’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
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
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
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 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’m an experienced player in the pop/soul/funk areas of music and, previously, classical.  Over the decades I’ve been playing, I’ve always felt that I could do what I needed in those styles of music.  However, recently I began to feel limited by my use of the same old licks. When I discovered Steve Neff’s website, and heard the audio examples based on the exercises in his books, I realized they were what I needed.  I purchased all of them and have been working on them since.  It’s very hard work… Read more
Paul
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

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
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
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
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 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
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
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!

Never really had lessons before just kinda worked things out on my own. Was in a rut but your lessons are really helpful in opening melodic possibilities. Ur an awesome resource to the saxophone community. Thanks for sharing. 

Anthony

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