Hi Everyone, I’m running a big sale on lessons I made that get you started with working with the New Ultimate II-V-I Primer. I made 5 lessons that are usually 49.95 for all 5 but I’m running a sale so you can get all 5 for 14.99 at this link. The New Ultimate II-V-I Lesson Read More…
This Guy Blows My Mind…….Derek Brown
October 15, 2015 by 3 Comments
Derek Brown has a Youtube channel called “Beatbox Sax”. While most of us mere mortals are just trying to figure out how to play the sax the normal way (or should I say the way that is most “common”), Derek is one of those rare individuals that is breaking new ground with the saxophone. Check out the two Read More…
Free Video Lesson on Approach Note Velocity Book
April 18, 2015 by 16 Comments
I decided to offer a free video lesson on my book “Approach Note Velocity Volume 1 & 2” for everyone. I have sold many of these books over the years and really want to make sure that everyone is getting the most out of them that they can. You can consider this an “overview” lesson on Read More…
Transcriptions of Chris Potter On Rhythm Changes
January 30, 2015 by 23 Comments
Here are two short transcriptions of solos Chris Potter did on a March 8, 2008 Masterclass. The bootleg was floating around the internet (www.dimeadozen.org) and I was lucky enough to grab it. In these two examples Chris is showing the differences in his playing style from when he was younger to now. The first solo Read More…
Great Lenny Pickett Clinic
November 25, 2014 by 3 Comments
I just found these videos on Youtube a few minutes ago and started watching them. Lenny Pickett is a tenor sax player known to almost all saxophone players. If you have ever watched Saturday Night Live, you have heard Lenny Pickett. He’s the sax player in the middle of the TV screen playing notes so Read More…
Great George Garzone Masterclass
September 5, 2014 by 1 Comment
Here’s a recently posted masterclass by the great jazz teacher and tenor saxophone player George Garzone. I studied with George for a semester or two while at Berklee back in the mid 80’s. I remember him messing up my whole musical worldview by telling me to not tongue and stop playing licks. ( I had Read More…
Keeping a Beat at 9 Months Old………
July 10, 2013 by 1 Comment
I found this video the other day while going through all my home movies I’ve made. I had forgotten all about it but when I saw it, it brought a smile to my face. As a musician and father, I was always looking for ways where I could practice and watch my kids at the Read More…
Branford Marsalis Masterclass
March 7, 2013 by 3 Comments
Here’s a great masterclass by Branford Marsalis. There’s a lot of wisdom in this 18 minutes. I love Branford’s sound on the soprano. What he says about the importance of melody and speaking through your music to people is huge. Making some sort of connection with the audience………….Great stuff! Check it out!
Steve’s Ultimate Real Book
September 7, 2012 by 13 Comments
Back in the 1980’s when I left high school for college I learned of a book called the Real Book that had hundreds of great jazz tunes in it. Up until that point in my life I had never heard of it. The only tunes I knew were a bunch of Charlie Parker heads and Read More…
“Live” Approach Note Patterns on R&B
October 29, 2010 by 6 Comments
Back about 10 years ago, I decided to work on my approach note patterns. I had been taught a few of these patterns in lessons with Jerry Bergonzi and wanted to really get them down. As I started to really work on the approaches in every key I found myself finding others to add to Read More…
Great Hal Galper Masterclass Videos
August 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Here are some great clips from youtube of a Hal Galper masterclass. Hal Galper is a great piano player who has has played with many of the jazz legends. I came to know him from some Phil Woods albums I had growing up. These are great to watch a number of times. Hal is such Read More…
Approach Note Books and Lessons
May 8, 2009 by Leave a Comment
“Approach Note Velocity” by Steve Neff Approach Note Velocity is a book that I created for myself so that I could master all the different approach notes in every key. I have divided the book up into sections by key and have written out the exercises so that you can practice them and read them Read More…
Getting the Most from Neffmusic Online Lesson
February 27, 2009 by 1 Comment
To get most out of my NeffMusic Online Lessons I would suggest a few simple ideas. 1. Focus on one topic like Blues scales, Approach Notes, Pentatonics……..etc. In my mind it’s always better to focus on one topic at a time and master it. Working on bits and pieces of 10 different lessons and not Read More…
How Much Should My Child Practice?
November 8, 2008 by Leave a Comment
I get asked this question quite often by concerned parents. What I usually recommend for fourth grade beginning students is 3 15-20 minute times a week. I find that if students do this they will make steady progress during the first year with no problems. Of course, if a student is really excited and wants Read More…
NeffMusic Lessons: Learning How To Learn!
July 14, 2008 by Leave a Comment
I’m writing this article to all my Neffmusic members to help them get the most out their lessons at Neffmusic. In order to really get the most out of my lessons there are some skills that you need to develop. These lessons are a bit different than going to a teacher and taking one on Read More…
Kenny Werner Masterclass
December 3, 2007 by Leave a Comment
This is a great masterclass by Kenny Werner. I’ve been a fan of Kenny Werner since I read his book “Effortless Mastery” a number of years ago. I love his mindset of letting go of the fear and distraction that can attack us when we perform. So often when I was younger, I would be Read More…
Practicing Jazz Saxophone With Focus
June 14, 2007 by Leave a Comment
One of my biggest weaknesses when I was a kid was practicing without a specific focus. I wanted to do it all, play everything, be the best. I wanted results now. I would spend endless hours in the practice room practicing everything. The problem was, I wasn’t focused. I didn’t set goals. Instead of getting Read More…
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