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You are here: Home / Archives for Reviews / Mouthpiece Reviews

Mouthpiece Reviews

Absolute Resin Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

September 10, 2013 by Steve 9 Comments

Today,  I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy.  This model is called the “AltoR”model.  There is also an Alto AL,  Alto ST and an Alto + model on their website.  You can also find all these models for Baritone, Tenor and Soprano saxophones as well. The AL […]

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute.alto saxophone.sax mouthpiece, resin

Phil-Tone Sapphire Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

September 9, 2013 by Steve 16 Comments

Today, I am reviewing another new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone mouthpieces. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past.  The Equinox, the Eclipse, the Solstice and most recently the Tribute.  When Phil contacted me a couple of months ago about […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: hard rubber, Phil Engleman, Phil-tone, Sapphire, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Absolute “Tenorer” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 22, 2013 by Steve 18 Comments

Today,  I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company.  These are made in Italy.  This model is called the “Tenorer”.  There is also a Tenor AL, Tenor ST and a Tenor + model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone,Alto and Soprano saxophones as well.  The AL model […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute, resin, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Drake Stubbie Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 20, 2013 by Steve 16 Comments

Today I am reviewing another great Aaron Drake mouthpiece called the “Stubbie”.  It is modeled after the Dukoff  “Stubbie” model from the 1950’s.  I don’t know much about the Dukoff  “Stubbies” and have never played one as of yet.  I’ll leave any facts about the original “Stubbie” model to the mouthpiece “gurus” and collectors out […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, Dukoff, sax mouthpiece, stubbie, tenor saxophone

Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

July 26, 2013 by Steve 24 Comments

Today, I’m reviewing an old 1950’s Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.  It was originally a 5 tip opening but was opened up to a 7 or .100 tip opening at some point.  These Florida double ring mouthpieces were made in the 1950’s by the Otto Link company.  This mouthpiece I have is […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: double ring, florida, otto link, review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

July 18, 2013 by Steve 11 Comments

Today, I m reviewing a Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model.  It has a .108 tip opening.  I am lucky that I could borrow this from a friend on SOTW (Sax on the Web).  This is one of his favorite mouthpieces but he let me have it for a few weeks so I could do a […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Focustone, sax mouthpiece, Standard Model, Ted Klum, tenor saxophone

Rafael Navarro “Bob Mintzer” Bebop Special Tenor Mouthpiece

July 18, 2013 by Steve 49 Comments

Today, I m reviewing a tenor mouthpiece that I have been wanting to try for a very long time.  This is the Bob Mintzer Bebop Special tenor mouthpiece made by Rafael Navarro.  The one I am reviewing today has a 7** tip opening and is made of hard rubber that has a red marble look […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bebop Special, Bob Mintzer, Rafael Navarro, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Phil-Tone & Theo Wanne Tribute Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

June 24, 2013 by Steve 32 Comments

Today, I am excited to review a new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman and Theo Wanne.  Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past.  The Equinox,the Eclipse, the Solstice, etc…………… Phil contacted me a few months ago and said he was going to […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: florida link, Phil Engleman, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone, Theo Wanne, Tribute

Barone Hollywood Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece 2000

June 21, 2013 by Steve 6 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Phil Barone.  This  mouthpiece is the Hollywood model and it was made back in 2000 so it is an older model.  I have been a big fan of Phil Barone’s mouthpieces ever since I went to see Jerry Bergonzi play at the Acton Jazz Cafe years ago.  […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Hollywood, Phil Barone, review, sax mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Drake “Jerry Bergonzi” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

April 6, 2013 by Steve 16 Comments

Today,  I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Aaron Drake of Drake Mouthpieces.  This  new mouthpiece is the Jerry Bergonzi model.  I have been a fan of Jerry Bergonzi’s since my first days at Berklee College of Music in Boston (1986).  Up until that time, I had only been an alto sax player.  I had […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, hard rubber, jerry bergonzi, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax

Vintage Selmer Soloist Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 20, 2013 by Steve 29 Comments

Ever since the 1980’s I have been a big fan of Kenny Garrett.  I can’t remember the first time I  heard  him but I remember having a record in the 80’s entitled “Introducing Kenny Garrett” that I loved. (I was an alto sax player back then)  Soon after this, I remember also hearing Mr. Garrett […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax.saxophone mouthpiece, James Bunte, Kenny Garrett, Selmer soloist, Vintage

Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 8, 2013 by Steve 5 Comments

I have another Rafael Navarro mouthpiece up for review today.  This is a hard rubber Maestra 6* soprano saxophone mouthpiece.  I used a Vandoren Java 2 1/2 reed on it with a Vandoren Optimum metal ligature.  My soprano sax is a Yamaha YSS-62. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one […]

Filed Under: Soprano Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Maestra, Rafael Navarro, saxophone, soprano mouthpiece

Rafael Navarro Maestra Marble Tenor Mouthpiece

March 7, 2013 by Steve 27 Comments

I have another Rafael Navarro tenor mouthpiece up for review today.  This is a marble Maestra 8.  I used a Rigotti Gold 2 1/2 strong reed on it with a Francois Louis Ultimate ligature. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one is a work of art.  The mouthpiece looks so […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Maestra, marble, Rafael Navarro, saxophone, tenor mouthpiece

Bari Hybrid Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 18, 2013 by Steve 20 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Bari Hybrid tenor saxophone mouthpiece 7* (.105 tip opening). This mouthpiece has the gold band around it.  It is called a “hybrid” because it is a mix of hard rubber and gold plated brass. The front part of the mouthpiece is all hard rubber but the shank and bore of […]

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bari, Hybrid, review, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax

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Testimonials

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
Thank you for the wealth of helpful lessons you’ve provided over the years.  I truly feel as though it has improved my playing more than the 4 years I spent at Berklee… and that’s not a slight on the school as I loved my experience there.
John
John

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

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
I can see from your instructional videos that you are a fantastic teacher – one that can truly relate to all ages – humble yet very positive in approach – never coming across as superior and yet so totally capable of demonstrating the principles and techniques that you seek to impart to the students. I have gained so much confidence in my playing from “pouring over” time and again these invaluable lessons. Invaluable not only in musical content, but also in human interaction content. I am absolu… Read more
Ron
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

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
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

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
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

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
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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
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 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
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 must say again how much I appreciate all your material. Including the video tutorials. It help keep me focused and knowing what to aim for. And your laid back teaching style appeals to me too. 

Thanks

P

P
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
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
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
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

Love your lessons!  I have been using your lesson packages for many months now, and am learning a lot.  It is so perfect for me with a very busy adult schedule and difficulty in taking jazz/improv music lessons from reputable instructors who live and hour or more away from me.

Lenore

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

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