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NeffMusic News

Ototoxic-A Word Every Musician Should Know

February 19, 2025 by Steve 4 Comments

Ototoxic.  Do you know what this word means?  I didn’t.  At least not until 2024.  If you have followed my blog for any length of time and have read my “Funny as a Brain Tumor” story,  you probably already know that I have been through the mill with my medical history.  That story, that encompasses […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: drug, hearing loss, medical, musician, Ototoxic, tamsulosin, tinnitus

Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)

March 26, 2023 by Steve 4 Comments

*BRAND NEW NEFFMUSIC BOOK* Super excited to have finally finished this book. I have been working on this over a couple of years and am ecstatic about the content and it’s potential for students of jazz improvisation. Working on this material has radically changed my own playing and given me a new tool to use […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: blues, dominant pentatonics, Jazz Improvisation, jazz method, minor sixth pentatonic, soloing, steve neff, video lesson

How to Spot a Fake Vintage Saxophone Mouthpiece

April 6, 2021 by Steve 1 Comment

Many of you might remember that I wrote an in-depth article about a year and a half ago on counterfeit vintage saxophone mouthpieces entitled “Buyer Beware! Counterfeit Vintage Saxophone Mouthpieces Galore“. In that article, I included as much information and photo evidence of counterfeit vintage sax mouthpieces that were (and still are) flooding the saxophone […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, NeffMusic News, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: counterfeit, fake, mouthpiece, rip-off, sax, saxophone, scam, Stephan Kammerer, Vintage

Buyer Beware! Counterfeit Vintage Saxophone Mouthpieces Galore

December 18, 2019 by Steve 29 Comments

Disclaimer: If you bought a vintage mouthpiece in the last few years off of Ebay then this article might not be good news for you.  If you would rather not know……then do not continue to read…… A friend of mine reached out to me a few weeks ago and was excited to share the good […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, NeffMusic News, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: counterfeit, ebay, fake, florida, Greece, Hungary, Meyer, NY Bros, rip-off, slant, vintage mouthpieces

Up Close and Personal Interview with Steve Neff on Everything Saxophone Podcast

July 23, 2019 by Steve 2 Comments

If any of you are interested in my background and views on a variety of subjects related to music, the saxophone and life, I was interviewed by Donna Schwartz for the “Everything Saxophone Podcast” a couple of weeks ago. Donna asked some great questions and we were able to discuss some personal subjects having to […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Donna Schwartz, Everything Saxophone Podcast, interview, steve neff

NEW Book-Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz & Funk Soloing

July 12, 2018 by Steve 2 Comments

Great news!  I just finished a new book this week that I am very excited about.  The new book is called “Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz & Funk Soloing” and is similar in concept to my best selling “Devastating Minor Lines” book. Video Demonstration of a few of the Devastating Lines Here is a description: An […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: Berg, Brecker, dominant licks, Jazz Improvisation, lines, modern lines, pattern, saxophone

Steve Neff Reveals His Darkest Saxophone Secrets (SHOCKING!)

December 27, 2017 by Steve 2 Comments

If you’re not sick of the sound of my voice from all my lessons you have watched, then you might be interested in this. Nick Mainella over at 10minutejazzlesson.com posted an interview that he did with me over the summer. If you are curious about the origins of neffmusic.com or my personal path with the […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: interview, Neffmusic, saxophone, shocking, steve neff, truth revealed

NEW Book-Mastering Altered Pentatonics

September 9, 2017 by Steve 4 Comments

NEW Book-Mastering Altered Pentatonics

I just released a new book I have been working on for a number of years now.  It covers the basic pentatonic scale in all 12 keys with 29 great pentatonic patterns to practice.  It also includes 11 altered pentatonics in these patterns that you can use for a more modern “outside” sound to your […]

Filed Under: Neff Book Reviews, NeffMusic News Tagged With: book, Jazz Improvisation, Mastering Altered Pentatonics, modern jazz, steve neff

Neffmusic 10 Year Anniversary-One of My First Lessons!!

January 4, 2017 by Steve 3 Comments

Ok, so I have to post this……….It’s the  official 10 year anniversary of www.neffmusic.com.    I started the site in the Fall of 2006 but it really got up and running in 2007.  So 2017 is the official 10 year anniversary. Woohoo!!!! (Yes, I’m very proud………..) I was going through my computer tonight deleting random […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: II-V-I, jazz language, jazz lessons, Neffmusic, steve neff

New Release-Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale-Book 2

November 19, 2016 by Steve 3 Comments

I just finished a brand new Neffmusic book that I am very excited about.  I’ve been working on this off and on over the last seven years and more intensely over the last eight months. In the years following my release of “Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale”, I decided that a “Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale-Book 2” […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: bebop lines, bebop scale, dominant chords, Jazz Improvisation, mastering, steve neff

Saxophone Lessons in Montpelier Vermont

September 6, 2016 by Steve 2 Comments

Jazz Saxophone Lessons in Montpelier Vermont! I’ve just finished setting up my teaching studio in Montpelier, Vermont.  If you live near the Montpelier Vermont area, are in the U32 High School or the Washington West Supervisory Union and are interested in saxophone lessons I am now accepting new students.  Montpelier is the Vermont state capital […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: Barre, Berlin, Burlington, harwood union, high school, Jazz Education, Montpelier, sax lessons, saxophone teacher, Stowe, Vermont, Waitsfield, Waterbury Center, Williston

Saxophone Lessons in Montpelier Vermont!

March 8, 2016 by Steve Leave a Comment

Jazz Saxophone Lessons near Montpelier Vermont! I’ve just finished setting up my teaching studio in Waitsfield, Vermont.  If you live near the Montpelier Vermont area and are interested in saxophone lessons I am now accepting students.  Montpelier is a city in central Vermont and is about a half hour from Waitsfield Vermont. I teach saxophone and specialize in jazz […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: Barre, Berlin, Burlington, harwood union, high school, Jazz Education, Monpelier, sax lessons, saxophone teacher, Stowe, Vermont, Waitsfield, Waterbury Center, Williston

Great Lesson Package Deals on Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 1 Lessons

November 7, 2015 by Steve 2 Comments

I created two more great lesson package deals that compliment my book Mastering the Blues Scale-Vol. 1 One is a 3 lesson deal for alto sax in a smooth jazz style and the other is a 5 lesson deal for tenor sax in the same smooth jazz style.  Here are the details and links to check them out: […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: alto sax, blues scales, funk, smooth jazz, tenor sax, video lessons

New Lesson Series: Playing Outside-Approach Note Matrix

November 19, 2014 by Steve 2 Comments

I started a new lesson series this last week based off of my books “Approach Note Velocity Vol. 1 & 2“.  This is a cool series and might even lead to another book on the subject!  Last week I started working on using some of the approaches in my book to approach the upper structures […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News

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NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

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
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
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
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 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
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!

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
Two years later I began a search for a sax teacher and happened to come across Steve Neff when I was searching YouTube for sax teachers.  I went to neffmusic.com and was very impressed with the lessons Steve Neff was offering.  The concept of selecting lessons was an approach that I thought was unique and purchased a few lessons.  I liked the lessons so much that I signed-up for a 6 month package. I was very happy with all the lessons I selected.  I also purchased Steve’s book Mastering the B… Read more
Michael
I bought Steve’s dominant bebop book and took a couple of online lesson from him. I really appreciated Steve’s careful listening of what I wanted to get done in a lesson and his clear, concise ideas on next steps to improve my playing and musical interpretation.  His mastering  the Dominant Bebop Scale has lots of exercises to use a scale that addresses the largest percentage of chords I come across in pop/blues music. The dominant V7.  Needless say it has improved my playing.  I teach and a… Read more
Keith
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 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
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,

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
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

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.
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
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 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
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

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’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

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
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)
I have been a member of Neffmusic for more than a year now and have enjoyed every minute of it! I have not only been going thru the Dominant Bebop Scale lessons and book (OUTSTANDING!) but the mouthpiece reviews, solo clips and transcriptions are very interesting. Steve approach to beginning and intermediate improv have given me many new pathways to teach my high school jazz ensemble students. Congratulations Steve, great product!
Craig

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  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
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Recent Comments

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