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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

Peter Ponzol ML Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 2 Comments

About 7 years ago I had a Peter Ponzol ML .110 tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  It was my favorite mouthpiece at the time.  Big fat sound but when I pushed it it had loads of power. There was only one problem…..I could never find good reeds for it.  It would always fail the suction test and […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Peter Ponzol, Ponzol ML, tenor mouthpiece

Ralph Morgan 9M Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 5 Comments

This is a Ralph Morgan tenor saxophone mouthpiece that I won off ebay.  These are the best tenor mouthpieces for the price out there.  I’ve owned 3 of Mr. Morgans mouthpieces as well as 3 of his clarinet mouthpieces.  Very consistent work.  You know when you order a Morgan that you won’t get a dud. […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Morgan 9M, Ralph Morgan, tenor mouthpiece

Early Babbitt Otto Link .110 Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 3 Comments

This is the Early Babbitt Otto Link I have posted about before. The last SP  otto link I got that Brian Powell had worked on was a .110 and I loved it. I t just felt like the tip opening was where I felt the most comfortable.  I sent this Early Babbitt Otto Link (.105) […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, early babbitt, otto link, tenor mouthpiece

Mouthpiece Cafe Bergonzi Slant Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 12 Comments

Everything I’ve played of Brian Powell’s I’ve loved and this is no exception.  This is his new Bergonzi Slant model.  The Bergonzi Slant by Mouthpiece Cafe plays effortlessly and has a beautiful tone to it. I’ve never played a great slant but I’ve been told my Early Babbitt HR link plays like one.   I […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bergonzi Slant, Brain Powell, mouthpiece Cafe, tenor mouthpiece

SP Otto Link Tenor Mouthpiece

August 14, 2009 by Steve 3 Comments

This is another SP otto link that Brian Powell refaced and brought the beak down on.  I love these mouthpieces.  They are not too dark, not too bright but can really blow when you lay into them.  This is a .110 and is a little darker than the .107 Otto Link I had.  I saw […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, SP Otto Link, tenor mouthpiece

Theo Wanne Amma 7* Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 13 Comments

This is the new AMMA mouthpiece being produced by Theo Wanne.  A friend on SOTW generously offered to let me borrow his and try it out.  When I opened the package the first thing I noticed was the quality of the mouthpiece.  The tip, rails and baffle were perfect as well as the outside of […]

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

Theo Wanne NY Link Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 1 Comment

This is a NY link that I won off ebay that was advertised as worked on by Theo Wanne.  When I received this piece it was a 7*.  It had a nice sound but I felt that when I pushed it hard it got too bright and harsh sounding.   It has a medium baffle […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: NY link, tenor mouthpiece, Theo Wanne

Brian Powell Refaced NY Link 7*

August 13, 2009 by Steve 2 Comments

This is a NY link that I won off ebay that was advertised as worked on by Theo Wanne.   I put my own baffle in it.  There is an earlier clip of it on here if you look with a description. I sent it off to Brian Powell and asked him to clean up […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, NY link, tenor mouthpiece

Early Babbitt HR Otto Link 7* Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 8 Comments

Holy Cow!  This piece is great.  I just got four pieces back today from Brian Powell.  This is the Jon Van Wie refaced link that has a clip posted of it last year.  This piece always played nice but didn’t have any guts to it.  I really couldn’t dig in with it.  I played another […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, early babbitt, tenor mouthpiece

Hard Rubber Otto Link 7* Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 11 Comments

This mouthpiece is the best hard rubber link I’ve ever played.  I won it off Ebay for 200.00 bucks.  That was the opening bid and no one else bid on it.  It’s a little confusing because the seller said it was a John Reilly reface but when I received the piece it had engraving on […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, otto link, tenor mouthpiece

“Vintage” Selmer Soloist D Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 24 Comments

I’ve always loved Rich Perry’s sound on tenor and always wanted to try a “Vintage” Selmer Soloist.  I had this Selmer soloist refaced to a .105 by Brian Powell.  It plays great.  It’s very different than a link type mouthpiece.  It’s hard to explain, it has more of a focus and core to the sound.  […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Rich Perry, Selmer soloist, tenor mouthpiece

Jon Van Wie STM Link 8 Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 12 Comments

I won this mouthpiece on ebay a few weeks ago.  The seller had it listed as a link that Phil Barone had worked on but Phil contacted him and said it wasn’t his work.  I bid on it because it looked a lot like other Jon Van Wie  links I’ve owned in the past.  It […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Jon Van Wie, tenor mouthpiece

Morgan 8M Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 1 Comment

Happy New Year!   This is a Morgan piece that I won off ebay.  These are the best mouthpieces for the price out there.   I’ve owned 3 of these as well as 3 of his clarinet mouthpieces.  Very consistent work.  You know when you order a Morgan that you won’t get a dud.   […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: morgan, tenor mouthpiece

LAW Rollover 8B Tenor Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 1 Comment

This is one of four rollover baffle pieces I received from Lawrence Waldron. These are all pieces with smooth rollover baffles similar to metal links (but prettier).  They are different than the first high baffled piece that I recieved from Lawrie that is more like a Guardala Brecker baffle in that the baffles are a […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Lawrence Waldron, tenor mouthpiece

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Testimonials

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
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 can’t say enough about my membership at Neff Music. Steve has taken the mystery out of playing the saxophone well and improvising both jazz and rock music. Like most struggling players I have a load of all sorts of books on my shelf just gathering dust. Books that I didn’t understand or know how to put to use…or just have the time to go threw them. Steve’s lessons really simplify things and he puts it in a way that I can understand. They inspire me to keep pushing and having him as my guide or… Read more
Ken
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

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.
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
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’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
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
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
Steve- I joined your site this month and have downloaded 4 lessons and also purchased your new book and video on diatonic patterns. I just want to say I am very pleased with your approach and teaching techniques. I am getting back into playing after laying off for some time. The information you offer on your site is of great value and I am enjoying being a member. Thank you for what you are doing for the saxophone community.
Tony
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
I am a music book junkie and I have to say that your books are the most clear, user friendly, and helpful books I own.  They are my absolute favorites and I only wish I had them years ago.  I wouldn’t change a thing about the experience I had in acquiring my degree at Berklee, but my playing has perhaps grown more in the time I’ve spent buried in your books and lessons.  Keep up the great work!!! Thanks, John
John
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
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)

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
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

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,

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
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
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
Thanks so much for putting all this great learning material out there. I don’t often have the time to take a lesson with a teacher, so the ability to download lessons is really invaluable. My playing has improved enormously (I think :)) – and the lessons are so varied there’s always something to be inspired by. Incredible value too!
Roger
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 have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry

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