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You are here: Home / Archives for Reviews / Saxophone Stuff

Saxophone Stuff

Improved Selmer Saxophone Model Chart

January 9, 2018 by Steve 31 Comments

Here is a cool chart of the serial numbers and models of Selmer Saxophones through the last 100 years.  This chart was researched by Douglas Pipher  and shared on SOTW today.  The cool aspect of this chart that I have never seen before is that Douglas has included the quantities of each type of sax […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: chart, Douglas Pipher, history, saxophone, selmer, serial numbers

Finding Sax Mouthpiece Gold Among the Rubble

November 14, 2017 by Steve 16 Comments

I’m always amazed when saxophone player’s tell me that they can know within seconds if a sax mouthpiece is right for them or not.  The reason that this amazes me, is that my experience has been so different from that.  For example, I received a sax mouthpiece a few months ago that is an old […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: best mouthpiece, sax mouthpiece, saxophone, trying mouthpieces

Need a Metal Sax Mouthpiece Facelift? Contact Matt Marantz for a Replating

October 14, 2017 by Steve

For many years now I have been looking around for someone who replates saxophone mouthpieces.  Back in the 90’s,  I had a mouthpiece that had the bite plate fall off and then the gold plating was all wearing away.  I read about health hazards that could come from playing a raw brass or copper mouthpiece […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: gold plating, Matt Marantz, metal mouthpiece, raw brass, replate, replating, review, silver plating

Finding the “Holy Grail” of Sax Mouthpieces

August 19, 2017 by Steve 55 Comments

Today, I’m going to write about an important subject that I haven’t addressed very often on my site here.  This article is about the elusive search for the “Holy Grail” of saxophone mouthpieces.  I have encountered thousands of sax players over the years who have been searching for their “Holy Grail” sax mouthpiece.  They might […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: GAS Syndrome, holy grail, never happy, sax mouthpiece, sax players, saxophone gear

Marc Jean Saxophone Ligature II Model 700 Review

July 24, 2017 by Steve 25 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a beautiful new ligature called the Marc Jean Saxophone Ligature II Model 700.   I reviewed the original Marc Jean ligatures a little over seven years ago. Original Marc Jean Ligature Review When I heard that Marc was coming out with a new ligature I knew I had to review one.  Marc Jean was kind […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: clarinet, ligature, Marc Jean, review, saxophone

Forestone Saxophone Mouthpiece Patch Review

June 14, 2017 by Steve 23 Comments

I have to admit, that I never thought I would do a review of a saxophone mouthpiece patch.  What on earth would I write about?  It sticks on the mouthpiece. Check!  It protects the mouthpiece from my teeth. Check!   That’s about it.  I’ve actually been asked if I could review some patches by various manufacturers in the […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: clarinet, Forestone, mouthpiece patch, review, saxophone, tooth guard

A Fight to the Death-Legere Signature Synthetic Reeds Versus Cane Reeds

March 27, 2017 by Steve 45 Comments

Ladies and Gentlemen,  today we have an epic showdown between two heavyweight champions!  In one corner, we have the undisputed heavyweight reed in Steve Neff’s reed drawer.  This is the formidable master of disaster the “Rigotti Gold 2 1/2 Strong Reed”.   In the other corner, we have a new comer to Steve Neff’s drawer. […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: cane reed, comparison, Legere Reeds, Rigotti Gold, saxophone, showdown

Just Joe’s Sax Gel Strap Review

August 11, 2016 by Steve 11 Comments

I want to start this review out with a big apology to Joe Rohrbacher of Just Joe’s Music in Bend, Oregon.  Joe sent me a couple of complimentary Just Joe’s Sax Gel Straps to try out and perhaps review almost 5 YEARS AGO!!  This was around the fall of 2011 and at the time I was having a […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: gel strap, Just Joe, leather, neck strap, review, sax, saxophone

Snake Oil for the Saxophone? The Buzz Oversized Neck Screw by Westcoast Sax

April 13, 2016 by Steve 50 Comments

Whether you are into competitive sports, weight loss, golf or the saxophone, you have probably heard claims about products that you didn’t believe. Many times I refer to these claims and products with a term you have probably heard before: “Snake Oil”.  The definition of the term is : “Snake oil is an expression that originally […]

Filed Under: Sax Reviews, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Buzz, oversized, sax screw, sound, tenor saxophone, tone, westcoast sax

Joe Allard Overtone Exercise for Saxophone

April 7, 2016 by Steve 8 Comments

I wanted to share this great saxophone Overtone exercise that Dr. David Demsey wrote out a number of years ago.   Dr. Demsey studied with Joe Allard from 1977-1980 and is the Coordinator of Jazz Studies and Professor of Music at William Paterson University. There is a great interview with Dr. Demsey about Joe Allard that any of you […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: altissimo, David Demsey, education, Joe Allard, overtones, PDF, sax, saxophone

A Blast from the Past-Chromazone by Mike Stern Cover

March 2, 2016 by Steve 4 Comments

This weekend, I was going through my vast computer files and trying to clean out the gigabytes of junk I had on my computer when I discovered this old clip. This is from a recording session I did way back in the early 90’s.  I think I was about 25 at the time and in […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Chromazone, cover, Mike Stern, steve neff, tenor saxophone

Forestone Hinoki Synthetic Reeds Review

December 10, 2015 by Steve 35 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a product that I never ever thought I would review.  The product is a synthetic reed.  (*Before you read further, I need to state in all honesty, that I have always hated, detested and scorned every synthetic reed I have ever tried.  Over the last 20 years I have at times tried […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: cane reeds, Forestone, hinoki, saxophone, synthetic reed

Saxophone Microphone Review and Audio Shootout Part 2

September 15, 2014 by Steve 12 Comments

Walter Ruckdeschel  wrote a great in-depth review of 8 different stand mounted microphones that can be used for live gigs a number of months ago.  I was so fascinated that I asked him if I could post his finding here for everyone to see.  Walt emailed me today and said that he had just completed […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Beyerdynamic, Electro Voice, live mics, microphone sound clips, saxophone, Sennheiser, Walter Ruckdeschel

ReedJuvinate Woodwind Reed System Review

May 14, 2014 by Steve 20 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a product called the ReedJuvinate Woodwind Reed System.  As a woodwind player, you are probably already aware of what a pain reeds can be to keep and store.  How do you best store them? I’m always curious about the different ways people store their reeds when not in use.  I’ve seen […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: cane reeds, reed care, reed storage, ReedJuvenate, saxophone, woodwinds

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Testimonials

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 just started looking at my lessons and I have to say, dude you are awesome.  I ABSOLUTELY will learn from you!  I started the tenor about 1 ½ yrs ago and have since picked up an alto, and more recently a soprano.  I spend most of the time on the tenor, followed by soprano, and have only gotten to the alto a few times.  I think I’ll be sticking with tenor.  I’m having a great time and hope one day to play well enough to get regular gigs.  I’ve been playing keys for about 35 years (… Read more
Wil
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 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
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
I’ve been having ‘ online’  lessons with Steve for a few months now. Being a teacher myself I had had some reservations with the idea at first and the practicalities of it .  Let me just say that my playing has taken a huge leaps forward while studying with Steve and continues to do so.Steve studied with some renowned player/teachers such as Bergonzi and Garzone– this in itself is invaluable but Steve teaches from his own books, which cover a a vast amount of  jazz language. Steve h… Read more
David
I have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry
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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
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

Hi Steve,

First, I want to thank you for all of your great lessons. They are like a “For Dummies” version of all the books on my shelf. The lessons break things down into manageable pieces, and give me the confidence that I’m practicing the right pieces. I’m starting to make progress.   Thank You,   Kim

Kim

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
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

After reading your story I will never feel quite right about complaining about any of my MINOR health issues!!    God bless Steve and I really hope that your health doesn’t stop you from fulfilling your calling.    These books have been such a help to open up my jazz vocabulary…   Thanks so much for sharing your story and for providing these great teaching tools…   John Leclerc   Saxophonist / composer/ EWI player and professional working musician of 35 years….

John Leclerc
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

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

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

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

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