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Dexter Gordon Tenor Sax Solo Transcription of You Stepped Out of a Dream

January 23, 2019 by Steve 9 Comments

A couple of months ago I received an email asking me if I could transcribe Dexter Gordon’s solo on “You Stepped Out of a Dream” from the Youtube video below with Dexter Gordon and Oscar Peterson.  I clicked on the video and agreed with the person that sent the email that this was an amazing […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Dexter Gordon, jazz sax, solo, tenor saxophone, transcription, You've Stepped Out of a Dream

The Difference a Neck Can Make: Boston Sax Shop Heritage Alto Saxophone Neck Review

January 17, 2019 by Steve 26 Comments

I have to admit, I usually stay away from anything to do with trying saxophone necks or different brands of saxophones.  So much of my time is already consumed with trying so many different saxophone mouthpieces that adding necks and saxophones to the mix is just too overwhelming for me.  The reality is that changing […]

Filed Under: Sax Reviews, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Boston Sax Shop, BSS, Jack Finucane, sax neck

Danny Walsh Tenor Sax Solo Transcription of Wave

January 16, 2019 by Steve 12 Comments

Here’s another great saxophone solo transcription from a Youtube video that I started working on this morning.   This is another great solo from the terrific tenor sax player, Danny Walsh (I’ve already transcribed a couple other solos by him). Danny Walsh is an amazing NYC saxophone player that  many people may not know about but is definitely worth […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Danny Walsh, Improvisation, jazz sax, Jobim, solo, tenor saxophone, transcription, Wave

Corry Bros Mesa Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 14, 2019 by Steve 10 Comments

Today I am reviewing a new mouthpiece from Jim and Paul Corry over in the UK.  They are the owners of Corry Bros Saxophone Mouthpieces.  As happens regularly on my site, someone contacted me and asked if I could review some of the Corry Bros sax mouthpieces.  I had never heard of them but after […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Corry Bros, dark tone, hard rubber, Mesa, review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Free Chord Tone Cheat Sheet

January 12, 2019 by Steve 3 Comments

Here’s a great tool that I made for my students years ago that I totally forgot about.  It’s called the Chord Tone Cheat Sheet.  I had a Skype student the other day that said he was looking for something like this on the internet but couldn’t find anything.  As he was speaking, I had this […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: 12 keys, chord sheet, chord tones, free, PDF, upper extensions

Saxscape Live Slim Profile Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 10, 2019 by Steve 31 Comments

Ken Barry, at Saxscape mouthpieces has been making mouthpiece since before I started  my website at neffmusic.com.  About 4 years ago, I saw a clip of one of my favorite tenor sax players (Danny Walsh) on Youtube playing a prototype Saxscape “Live” tenor sax mouthpiece and I thought he sounded amazing on it.  Here is […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Ken Barry, Live, mouthpiece, review, sax, Saxscape, slim profile, tenor saxophone

10mFan Showtime Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

December 28, 2018 by Steve 16 Comments

Mark Sepinuck, 10mFan as he is known in the saxophone world, has been producing a line of tenor and alto saxophone mouthpieces for the last six years that have been very popular with saxophone players around the world.  I have reviewed some of 10mFan’s tenor sax mouthpiece models in the past such as the Robusto, […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: 10mFan, Mark Sepinuck, review, saxophone mouthpiece, Showtime, tenor sax

Guardala Mouthpiece Informative Brochures From 1990

December 21, 2018 by Steve 10 Comments

A friend of mine on Facebook, Adrian Chia, posted  these pictures of hardcopy Guardala mouthpiece brochures that he received from Dave Guardala in the mail back in 1990.  Dave was living in Hicksville NY at the time and working out of his garage from what I have heard.  If only I had a time machine……………  […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: 1990, Dave Guardala, informative brochures, Michael Brecker, sax mouthpiece

RPC 110B Red Letter Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

December 21, 2018 by Steve 12 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a RPC 110B tenor saxophone mouthpiece made by Ron Coelho, at RPC mouthpieces.   I used to own one of these 110B tenor sax mouthpieces back in the mid 2000’s before I started this website and remember gigging on it for about 6-8 months at the time.  I was playing a lot of […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: 110, red letter, review, rollover baffle, Ron Coelho, RPC, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

The Michael Brecker Archive at William Paterson University

October 15, 2018 by Steve 5 Comments

Dr. David Demsey at William Paterson University contacted me a few years ago to tell me about the “Living Jazz Archives” that the University was building and how they were adding a Michael Brecker Archive to the already existing archives that they already had.   The Living Jazz Archives are: A TEACHING TOOL for William Paterson University […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: archive, David Demsey, Improvisation, jazz sax, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone, William Paterson University

The Art of Imitation-Michael Brecker on Peep

October 11, 2018 by Steve 14 Comments

Someone on SOTW (Sax on the Web) posted a video this morning of Michael Brecker soloing over his tune Peep from the early 90’s. Peep was a Brecker tune from the album “Now You See It… (Now You Don’t) that blew my mind when it was released in 1990.   I was a young Brecker head […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: imitation, Improvisation, jazz sax, Michael Brecker, Peep, tenor saxophone

Free Video Lesson on Mastering Altered Pentatonics by Steve Neff

September 21, 2018 by Steve 6 Comments

I decided to offer a free video lesson on my book Mastering Altered Pentatonics for everyone. I have sold many of these books and really want to make sure that everyone is getting the most they can out of them.  You can consider this an “overview” lesson on the various pentatonics covered in the book although […]

Filed Under: Free Lessons, Jazz Education Tagged With: free, Jazz Improvisation, Mastering Altered Pentatonics, modern jazz, playing outside, saxophone, video lesson

Rico Metalite M7 and M9 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

August 28, 2018 by Steve 45 Comments

Now for something completely different, a review of a tenor saxophone mouthpiece that only costs about 30 bucks!   Yes, you read that right!   Today,  I am reviewing two Rico Metalite tenor saxophone mouthpieces.  I have been intrigued by these sax mouthpieces for a few years because I have heard a bunch of people rave about […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: M7, M9, review, Rico Metalite, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

10mFan Daddy-O Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

August 26, 2018 by Steve 16 Comments

Mark Sepinuck, 10mFan as he is known in the saxophone world, has been producing a line of tenor saxophone mouthpieces for the last five years that have been very popular with saxophone players around the world.  I have reviewed some of 10mFan’s tenor sax mouthpiece models in the past such as the Robusto, the Black […]

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: 10mFan, alto sax, Cannonball Adderley, Daddy-O, review, saxophone mouthpiece

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NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

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

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
Thank you for all the educational information you provide.  I am a classically trained musician.  Professionally, I am a 4th and 5th grade band teacher.  I have played piano and sax for many years, but now I am starting to gig out more. I have always improvised by ear in the past. I have gotten by with my strong sense of pitch, rhythm and melodic contour. However, I want to go deeper. I want to play with a greater variety of melodic and rhythmic ideas to pull from.  I have studied to gain a … Read more
Ray
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
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
Just to say thanks for your advice and lessons.  I’ve just read your amazing story.  I really appreciate what you do in regards to teaching.  I have bought a couple of your lessons and frankly they’re undersold.   I’ve learned much more with these two lessons than with 2 years of sax teachers.   Thanks so much………..
Mike
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
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 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
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 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
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

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
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

Thank You Steve. I think that I will be busy for years. Thank You for your great contribution to jazz music. Your books, more than teaching “how to play jazz”, actually teach “how to speak jazz”. I wish I found your methods years ago.  

Jean-Eric
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
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 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

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
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
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

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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella

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

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