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Jazz Improvisation

Mark Turner-Transcriptions and Essays by Jeff McGregor Review

February 10, 2021 by Steve Leave a Comment

For the last couple of weeks,  I have been checking out two amazing transcription books by Jeff McGregor entitled Chris Potter-Transcriptions and Essays and Mark Turner-Transcriptions and Essays. I already reviewed the Chris Potter Transcription book,  and today I will be reviewing Mark Turner-Transcriptions and Essays. Mark Turner-Transcriptions and Essays by Jeff McGregor If you […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: essays, Jeff McGregor, Mark Turner, solos, tenor saxophone, Transcriptions

Chris Potter-Transcriptions and Essays by Jeff McGregor Review

February 4, 2021 by Steve Leave a Comment

For the last couple of weeks,  I have been checking out two amazing transcription books by Jeff McGregor entitled Chris Potter-Transcriptions and Essays and Mark Turner-Transcriptions and Essays. Chris Potter-Transcriptions and Essays by Jeff McGregor If you were to gather ten saxophone players around a table and have a discussion about who the cutting edge […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: chris potter, essays, Jeff McGregor, solos, tenor saxophone, Transcriptions

The Deep Wisdom of Victor Wooten

January 31, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

I discovered this gold nugget of a video this morning while drinking my morning coffee and perusing around Youtube to see what was new today. Victor Wooten is an amazing bass player and musician and in this video he teaches some core truths about music in an amazing way! Check it out! (I have started […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: bass, Jazz Improvisation, music, Victor Wooten, video lesson

A Key to Jazz Improvisation Success: Boredom and Repetition

August 24, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here’s a great article that a fan of my site emailed to me a few months ago.  Although the article is dealing with the martial arts, the principles written about in this essay can just as easily be applied to music and jazz improvisation. When the writer writes about “kata” imagine that he is referring […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: boredom, Jazz Improvisation, lesson, practicing, repetition, success

FREE 12 Major Scales Practice Sheet

May 24, 2019 by Steve 4 Comments

Here’s a free sheet I give to all my students to learn their 12 major scales and major triads. When I teach my students the major scales, I teach them to memorize all the scales on this sheet exactly as written.  They should be able to play each scale on the sheet immediately when asked […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: 12 keys, free, major scale, PDF, Practice, sheet

Free Demo Lesson on Altered Pentatonic Variations

April 23, 2019 by Steve 2 Comments

I decided to offer another free video lesson based off my book Mastering Altered Pentatonics for everyone.  This is a short demo lesson based off of my full length lesson “Creating Modern Lines with Altered Pentatonic Variations-Lesson 1“.  The full lesson includes a 38 minute video lesson and  the 36 page PDF of the altered […]

Filed Under: Free Lessons, Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation, Learning at Neffmusic

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

FREE 12 Major Blues Scale Sheet

January 9, 2018 by Steve 4 Comments

Here’s a free sheet I give to all my students after they learn their major scales. It’s just a sheet with all the 12 Major Blues Scales on it.  If you take a look at the sheet you might notice that the scales are the same as the scales on my free 12 blues scales sheet […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: 12 keys, blues scales, free pdf, Jazz Improvisation, major

The Art of Jazz Improvisation-Communication

February 9, 2017 by Steve 3 Comments

I was browsing the internet this morning when I happened upon these two amazing videos below.  It struck me that as teachers and students, we are so often teaching jazz improvisation in a one dimensional realm.  We talk about scales, licks, chords and patterns. We go home and practice by ourselves with our play along tracks […]

Filed Under: Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Videos Tagged With: Brad Mehldau, chris potter, communication, Jazz Improvisation, Joey Alexander, joshua redman

My “Secret” List of the Funkiest Minor Tunes to Practice to……..

February 6, 2017 by Steve 2 Comments

Today, I’m going to share my “secret” list of funk tunes that I have been practicing to for a few years now.  These are tunes that I bought on iTunes because I was sick of the generic Jamey Aebersold tracks that we all practice to.   I spent many hours one week going through iTunes […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: funky tunes, iTunes, Jazz Improvisation, minor grooves, playalong, song list

Body and Soul: The Evolution of a Tenor Saxophone Standard Review

January 1, 2016 by Steve 7 Comments

For the last couple of weeks,  I have been diligently working through a great new book by Eric Allen entitled Body and Soul — The Evolution of a Tenor Saxophone Standard: Transcriptions and analysis of solos by: Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Stan Getz, Sonny … Brecker, Chris Potter, Spiral-Bound Book Body and Soul — The […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: Body and Soul, Eric Allen, jazz sax, tenor saxophone, Transcriptions

The #1 Thing You Need to Do To Become a Great Improviser

September 23, 2015 by Steve 9 Comments

I’m seeing a trend in adult  students that I have taught over the last 10 years and wanted to write about it.  The #1 thing that most students young and old want to improve is their ability to improvise well.   Many times, I ask the students what their practice routine is like and I get answers […]

Filed Under: Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: improviser, Jazz Improvisation, learning, music, Practice

Why is Learning Jazz Patterns Foreign to Me?

August 24, 2015 by Steve 7 Comments

I received this question in an email the other day and I thought it would be good to try to answer it in detail on the blog here so others can benefit from it: Question: Steve, I have always listened to jazz, but I tend to favor simpler, lyrical playing like Houston Person, Gene Ammons, […]

Filed Under: Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: Jazz Improvisation, jazz patterns, language, learning to improvise, phrases

FREE 12 Blues Scales Sheet

February 4, 2014 by Steve 19 Comments

Here’s a free sheet I give to all my students after they learn their major scales. It’s just a sheet with all the 12 Blues Scales on it. When I teach my students to use the blues scale I teach them to try to move off the #4 note quickly when playing. Many student who […]

Filed Under: Jazz Improvisation Tagged With: free sheet, students

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Testimonials

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
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

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
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

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

Your material is great! I got your New Altissimo Lesson 6 months ago and I have learned more from that than in all my 44 years of playing! I appreciate your down to earth teaching method and I really appreciate the heart that you teach with. I have been a subscriber to your lessons for the past 6 months and I have learned a great deal. Over that period of time I have had some questions and you have never failed to respond. Thanks! I have already recommended your lessons to a number of players in… Read more

Michael Byington

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
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 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 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

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

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 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
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
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
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
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul
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!
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
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.
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

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