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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

Drake Vintage Resin NY Jazz Tenor Mouthpiece

April 28, 2010 by Steve 11 Comments

This is a new 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 line of […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, NY Jazz, tenor mouthpiece, vintage resin

Drake Vintage Resin Son of Slant Tenor Mouthpiece

April 27, 2010 by Steve 18 Comments

This is a new 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 line […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, Drake Mouthpieces, Son of Slant, tenor mouthpiece, vintage resin

Does Your Saxophone Equipment Matter?

April 19, 2010 by Steve 12 Comments

The ongoing debate in the saxophone community is whether equipment really matters.  By equipment we mean the brand of saxophone, mouthpiece, ligature, reeds, neck, pads and resonators.  Some people will even argue that the type of material, screws and resonance stones on the body of the sax make a difference.  I’ve had students come in […]

Filed Under: Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: alpine alto saxophone, saxophone equipment, yamaha 4C, Yardbird Suite

Marc Jean Ligature Review

April 18, 2010 by Steve 23 Comments

Around the middle of February I received an email from Marc Jean at Musique de Marc asking if I would be interested in trying one of his Marc Jean ligatures.  He said it was a new design and that many players of note were digging it.  I was a bit skeptical as I get a […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Francois Louis, Marc Jean Ligature, Optimum, saxophone ligatures, tenor saxophone, wood sticks

Selmer Long Shank Soloist Tenor Mouthpiece

April 16, 2010 by Steve 15 Comments

This is a Vintage Selmer Long Shank Soloist Tenor Mouthpiece that was originally a C*.  This mouthpiece has been refaced to a .105 tip opening by Brian Powell.  I have been wanting to try one of these ever since I tried a Selmer short shank soloist about a year ago.  I loved the short shank […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Long Shank, Selmer soloist, tenor mouthpiece

“Live” solo on “Jump Jive and Wail”

April 14, 2010 by Steve 1 Comment

This is a live clip from a gig I did 5-6 years ago.  It’s on the tune “Jump Jive and Wail”.  I have no idea what mouthpiece I’m using on this. This is a bit of a different style of music than I usually post clips of so I thought some of you might like […]

Filed Under: Live Recordings Tagged With: Jump Jive and Wail, tenor saxophone solo

What difference does the ligature make? Part 1

April 8, 2010 by Steve 22 Comments

A saxophone ligature is a device that holds the reed against the table (flat part) of the mouthpiece.  Most people wouldn’t think this is that big of a deal, I mean how hard is it to use something to make the reed stay against the mouthpiece?  You could use a rubber band if push came […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: mouthpiece ligature, saxophone ligature

Ralph Morgan MLL 8* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

April 7, 2010 by Steve 21 Comments

This a Ralph Morgan MLL 8* tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  This use to be a ML model but the owner of the piece sent it to Erik Greiffenhagen to have the chamber made larger so now it is a MLL model.  The tip opening of this mouthpiece is an 8* which for a Morgan is a […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Erik Greiffenhagen, Morgan MLL, Ralph Morgan, tenor mouthpiece

White Brilhart Tonalin 7* Tenor Mouthpiece

April 5, 2010 by Steve 20 Comments

Here is a White Brilhart Tonalin 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  I believe this one is from the late 60’s although I’m not an expert on Vintage Brilhart mouthpieces.  Mark Sepinuck was kind enough to let me try this one.  He felt that it gave him a “Gene Ammons” type of sound.  I really dig the […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brilhart Tonalin, tenor mouthpiece, White Brilhart

“Live” For The Love of You Solo-Lamberson DD7

March 30, 2010 by Steve 2 Comments

This is a live clip from a gig I did 5-6 years ago. I play a tenor saxophone solo using the Fred Lamberson DD7 tenor mouthpiece I had back then.  The mouthpiece is made of white acetal with a high long baffle in it that drops down into the chamber after about a half inch […]

Filed Under: Live Recordings Tagged With: For the love of you, Fred Lamberson, Lamberson DD7, tenor saxophone mouthpiece

Amazing Charlie Parker Recording of Cherokee

March 29, 2010 by Steve 11 Comments

Back when I was in junior high school I was introduced to the playing of Charlie Parker.  It was 9th grade and up to that point all I had listened to was Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangione, Dave Sanborn and the Yellowjackets.  My saxophone teacher told me that if I wanted to be good at jazz […]

Filed Under: Jazz Videos Tagged With: Charlie Parker, Cherokee, Omnibook

Great hour long interview with Joshua Redman

March 24, 2010 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here’s a great link to an interview with the great tenor saxophone player Joshua Redman.  Joshua has been one of my favorite tenor players since I first heard him in the mid 90’s.  I think the first album I bought was “Freedom in the Groove”.  Soon after that I bought every one of Joshua Redman’s […]

Filed Under: Jazz Videos Tagged With: Gary Giddens, joshua redman, moodswing, tenor saxophone

Barone Jazz Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 13, 2010 by Steve 16 Comments

Here is a fairly new Phil Barone tenor saxophone mouthpiece. This is the “Jazz” model and is a 7*(.105) tip opening.   I believe this is a 2009 model although there is no date on it (his older mouthpieces had dates engraved on the side of them). I have owned 5-6 Barone mouthpieces over the […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Barone jazz, Barone Saxophone, Phil Barone, tenor mouthpiece

Barone Hollywood Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 13, 2010 by Steve 9 Comments

Here is a fairly new Phil Barone  tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  This is the “Hollywood” model and is an 8 (.110) tip opening.  I believe this is a 2009 model although there is no date on it ( his older mouthpieces had dates engraved on the side of them).  I have owned 5-6 Barone mouthpieces over […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Hollywood, Phil Barone, saxophone, tenor mouthpiece

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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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