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A Mature Embouchure Lesson

A Mature Embouchure Lesson

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 5 customer ratings
(5 customer reviews)

$9.99

SKU: 058 Category: Sax Tone Tags: sax basics, sax lesson, sax tone, saxophone embouchure, video lesson
  • Description
  • Reviews (5)
  • Lesson Sample

Description

The word “embouchure” refers to the position of the mouth around the mouthpiece of the saxophone.  The minute details of how your embouchure is formed and manipulated while you play is a vital part of getting a mature sound on the sax.  In this video lesson I talk in depth about different aspects of a mature embouchure.  I teach about the signs of an embouchure that is not developed and show you some ways to improve it.  I go into detail on the different things you can change and work on that will improve your sound and playing.

The things discussed in this lesson are:  bottom lip position,  placement on the mouthpiece, teeth pressure,  jaw movement,  maximum reed response,  breathing ,  tongue position as well as some other aspects of playing.  I made this a video lesson so you can see first hand as I describe and show you the things I’m teaching about.

5 reviews for A Mature Embouchure Lesson

  1. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Mark Crowley – May 10, 2011

    I was amazed by how much this single lesson helped me improve my playing. I had thought my embouchure was ok but after viewing this lesson the lower lip pain I had been experiencing (and thought was normal) disappeared completely and my tone became much more open and pleasant sounding. I highly recommend “A Mature Embouchure”.

  2. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Thomas McCartney – February 14, 2012

    I’ve had problems for several years with fatigue in my embouchure muscles. I’ve instinctively known that there’s something in my technique causing the soreness, but have been unable to figure out what to change about the way I play. I implemented the suggestions Steve gives in the video about tongue position, and have found that I can play with more endurance. I think the improvement has to do with a more efficient airstream. I used to leave my tongue flat, which filled my mouth with air on the sides. This caused me to puff out my cheeks, which probably required more muscle effort to get the air into the mouthpiece. Sort of like a hose ballooning out, vs having a nozzle at the end. Steve explains useful concepts in a very easy to understand manner.

  3. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Doug (verified owner) – October 5, 2015

    Your lesson on a mature embouchure was the best and clearest explanation I have seen in 30 years of playing saxophone. Well done !

  4. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Chuck (verified owner) – July 26, 2020

    I want to thank you for this video. I’ve been working from it for about a week and a half and love what is happening to my sound and control so far! Again,
    Thank you!
    Chuck

  5. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    sebastião paz de sousa – August 28, 2020

    excelente método!

    Translation:

    excellent method!

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Lesson Sample

https://public.neffmusic.com/A%20Mature%20Embouchure%20clip.mp4

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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.

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Steve,

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Thanks

P

P
I’m an experienced player in the pop/soul/funk areas of music and, previously, classical.  Over the decades I’ve been playing, I’ve always felt that I could do what I needed in those styles of music.  However, recently I began to feel limited by my use of the same old licks. When I discovered Steve Neff’s website, and heard the audio examples based on the exercises in his books, I realized they were what I needed.  I purchased all of them and have been working on them since.  It’s very hard work… Read more
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!
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
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John
John
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
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