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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

Phil-Tone Otto Link Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 1 Comment

I received this from Phil as part of a trial that he is doing to promote his mouthpieces.  This is a modern hard rubber Otto Link that Phil Engleman has refaced and made much improved.   The mouthpiece plays great compared to other modern Otto Links that I have played.  Many of the modern ones […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: hard rubber, otto link, Phil Engleman, Phil-tone, tenor mouthpiece

Theo Wanne Metal Parvati 7* Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 6 Comments

I received this in the same trial package as the wood Parvati tenor mouthpiece.  This is a metal Parvati tenor mouthpiece with a 7* tip opening. It was hard for me to figure out which one I like better….the wood or the metal.  Can you tell a difference from listening to the clips?  Both mouthpieces […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Parvati, tenor mouthpiece, Theo Wanne

Theo Wanne Wood Parvati Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 3 Comments

I received this for a trial that is going around of Theo Wanne’s Parvati mouthpieces.  I have to say that I am very impressed with a mouthpiece craftsman that will stand by his product and have enough confidence in it to ship it on trial around the globe to possibly hundreds of people.  That takes […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Amma, Parvati Mouthpiece, tenor mouthpiece, Theo Wanne

Dave Jary HR Metal “Killer” Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 2 Comments

I received this from a friend of mine to try.  It is one of Dave Jary’s hard rubber pieces. He calls them “Metal Killers”.  I assume because although they are hard rubber they have tons of power.  Dave Jary sent me an email describing his business to me.  Here’s part of what he wrote: “I […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Dave Jary, Metal Killer, tenor mouthpiece

60’s Brilhart Personaline HR 7* Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 1 Comment

Here’s another Brilhart Personaline tenor mouthpiece.  This one appears to be older and the writing is a bit different on it. The baffle is different also.  It has more of a scoop in it.  The other two   Brilhart Personaline mouthpieces  slanted straight down at an even slope into the chamber.  This Personaline has a […]

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

Metal Freddie Gregory Mark IV 8 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 8 Comments

I received this tenor sax mouthpiece in a trade deal for one of my other mouthpieces.  This is a metal Freddie Gregory Mark IV size 8 tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  It has the ridges on the outside and a high rollover baffle in it.  I have to say I am surprised that this tenor saxophone mouthpiece […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: freddie gregory, Mark IV, metal, review, sax mouthpiece, saxophone, tenor mouthpiece

Ted Klum Focustone Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 5 Comments

I received this piece in a trade deal for one of my metal Florida Links.  It was a hard deal to make but I did it because I was so curious about the “Focustone” mouthpieces. I’ve tried Ted Klum’s work before down at Roberto’s in NYC years ago and once when Bob Ackerman came up […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bob Ackerman, florida link, Focustone, Ted Klum, tenor mouthpiece

Peter Ponzol SS M2 Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 2 Comments

This is a Peter Ponzol M2 tenor saxophone mouthpiece. It is Stainless Steel and has a .110 tip opening.  I have owned 3 M2 pieces before and was thinking this would be just like them.   I was actually surprised at how dark this mouthpiece played.  It had tons of power and a husky, robust […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Peter Ponzol, Ponzol M2, tenor mouthpiece

LAW Buzzer .110 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 3 Comments

Here is another LAW tenor saxophone mouthpiece that I received from Lawrence Waldron to try.  This one is in a .110 tip with a 25mm facing length.  This mouthpiece plays great and has a nice thick hearty tone to it with a 3 sized reed.  I found this mouthpiece could take all the air I […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Law Buzzer, Lawrie Waldron, tenor mouthpiece

“Live” Freddie Gregory Mark IV 7** Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 11 Comments

This is a live clip from a gig I did a number of years ago. I play a tenor solo using the Freddie Gregory Mark IV 7** hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece I had.  The mouthpiece is made of hard rubber with a medium high long baffle in it that slopes down into the chamber. […]

Filed Under: Live Recordings, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: freddie gregory, hard rubber, Mark IV, review, sax mouthpiece, sound clip, tenor saxophone

Battle of the 3 Florida Link Tenor Mouthpieces

August 14, 2009 by Steve 11 Comments

I thought I would put up a comparison clip of 3  metal STM Florida  Otto Link tenor mouthpieces that I have.  The first one is a Florida Link 7*(no USA) that was refaced by someone. If I had to bet money on it I would say it’s Theo Wannes work.  It looks just like other […]

Filed Under: Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, florida link, otto link, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews, Theo Wanne

LAW Buzzer, JVW Link, Kali Comparison

August 14, 2009 by Steve 9 Comments

I thought I would put up a comparison clip of my 3 favorite tenor mouthpieces  so we could hear the differences in their sounds. The three mouthpieces are a Theo Wanne Kali, a Jon Van Wie STM Link and a LAW Buzzer. All three  mouthpieces are around a .110 tip opening.  They were all done […]

Filed Under: Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Jon Van Wie, Kali mouthpiece, Law Buzzer, tenor mouthpiece, Theo Wanne

Dave Jary Customized Otto Link Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 2 Comments

I received this from a friend of mine to try.  It is an old metal link that Phil Barone worked on at one time.  It has the Barone engraving on it and the link ridge is gone as Phil does when he refaces a link.  You can’t tell it use to be a link except […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Dave Jary, otto link, Phil Barone, tenor mouthpiece

Greg Wier GW Slant 7* Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 9 Comments

I received this on trial from another SOTW member.  There was a thread on it that has since been closed where there was quite a bit of disagreement about this mouthpiece.  I was intrigued and curious so when I saw one for sale I asked if I could try it. I have to say that […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: greg wier, GW Slant, tenor mouthpiece

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Testimonials

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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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!

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 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
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
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 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
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
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

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
Hey Steve, My name is Jason Freese and I play keyboards and sax in the band Green Day.  I grew up taking sax lessons from Eric Marienthal when I was a kid and got out of it for a long time. I ran into you on youtube while searching for sax stuff. I bought a whole bunch of your lessons and have been loving it! Thanks! Here is my wikipedia so you can see the albums I’ve played on….Thanks again. It’s sparked my interest in practicing again.   Jason
Jason Freese (sax player for Green Day)
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
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
Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
Gerry Aylward
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
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 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

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