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

Mouthpiece Reviews

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

Bari Hybrid Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 18, 2013 by Steve 8 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Bari Hybrid alto saxophone mouthpiece 6 (.077 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: Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, Bari, Hybrid, review, saxophone mouthpiece

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 11, 2013 by Steve 10 Comments

I have another Ishimori Woodstone  alto saxophone mouthpiece to review and play today.  This alto mouthpiece is the hard rubber  “Super Custom” traditional jazz medium small chamber model in a 6 tip opening.  About a year and a half ago,  I did a review of the medium chamber Wood Stone alto mouthpiece which I loved!   […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Ishimori, jazz sax, medium small chamber, Wood Stone

PMS Guardala Michael Brecker II Tenor Mouthpiece

January 9, 2013 by Steve 18 Comments

OK, It looks like January is high baffle, powerhouse, mouthpieces on steroids month so far. For this review I’m playing a PMS Michael Brecker II Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.  My last review was of the “Fat Boy” version of this mouthpiece.  This is the regular version from PMS. Supposedly, Mr. Guardala sold the rights to his […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Dave Guardala, jazz saxophone, MBII, Michael Brecker, PMS, sax mouthpiece

PMS Guardala Brecker II Fat Boy Tenor Mouthpiece

January 8, 2013 by Steve 7 Comments

OK,   It looks like January is high baffle, powerhouse, mouthpieces on steroids month so far.  For this review I’m playing a PMS Michael Brecker II Fat Boy Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.  Now, if that long name confuses you, you are not alone.  Anything connected to Dave Guardala is going to be a bit confusing  (I won’t […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Dave Guardala, fat boy, Michael Brecker, PMS, tenor mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

Drake Pete Christieb Tenor Mouthpiece

January 8, 2013 by Steve 26 Comments

This is a new hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece by Aaron Drake.  Aaron has started a new series of mouthpieces called the “Masters” series  where he copies the favorite mouthpieces of the great players alive today.  So far, he has made mouthpieces for Dave Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi and Pete Christlieb. I have been a fan […]

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, high baffle, Pete Christlieb, review, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax

Macsax Bob Sheppard Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

November 13, 2012 by Steve 10 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new MacSax tenor saxophone mouthpiece that is made by Eric Falcon.  I have reviewed a number of other mouthpieces in the past that were made or refaced by Eric Falcon including the LA, FJIII tenor mouthpiece and Bob Sheppard alto mouthpiece which were all great. This mouthpiece is the Bob […]

Filed Under: Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Bob Sheppard, Eric Falcon, MacSax, saxophone, tenor mouthpiece

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1 2 3 4 5
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
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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
1 2 3 4 5

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
1 2 3 4 5

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
1 2 3 4 5

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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5

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
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I have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5

Never really had lessons before just kinda worked things out on my own. Was in a rut but your lessons are really helpful in opening melodic possibilities. Ur an awesome resource to the saxophone community. Thanks for sharing. 

Anthony
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5

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
1 2 3 4 5

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
1 2 3 4 5
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!
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5

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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5
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
1 2 3 4 5
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
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