• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT

Search Neffmusic

You are here: Home / Beginner Improvisation Series / Beginner Improvisation-Alto Sax / Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 1A-Alto Sax
“Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 4A-Alto Sax” has been added to your cart. View cart
Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 1A-Alto Sax

Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 1A-Alto Sax

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 7 customer ratings
(7 customer reviews)

$9.99

SKU: 252 Category: Beginner Improvisation-Alto Sax Tags: alto saxophone, beginner, jazz improvisation, sax lessons, video lessons
  • Description
  • Reviews (7)
  • Lesson Sample

Description

Learning to be a great jazz improviser is a life long journey.  If you love jazz and are drawn to the vision of standing in front of a crowd as you improvise a great jazz solo,  then you are more than likely ready to take your first steps to get there.   The question I hear about most from potential students is “Where do I start?”.  This can be overwhelming for a beginning jazz student.   There are so many books and methods out there that a student has no idea where to start.  In this  beginner jazz improvisation series for the alto saxophone I teach you a balanced approach to learning to improvise.

I will take you from the very beginning and teach you how to improvise just as if you were a new student coming in to my studio in person.   In this lesson I teach you the C major scale, the D dorian scale, the G mixolydian scale and the chords that these work over.  I show you how to learn them and the chords as well as how to practice them with some Aebersold play alongs. I also show you the A blues scale and talk about how to use it against C major and A minor.  Rather than just stopping there, I go a step further by teaching you how to hear the resolution points within each scale and chord and what to listen for when improvising.   Once you can hear these tensions and resolutions it will help and empower you to create your own unique and personal lines and solos.  My goal with these series of lessons is too teach you all the basic chords and scales in every key and get you improvising in a fluent way over some common jazz standards. (Audio,Video & PDF) (32 Minute Video Lesson)

7 reviews for Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 1A-Alto Sax

  1. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Stephen – December 1, 2010

    Great start to this series of lessons and definitely better than shooting stars or passing comets I am truly grateful that this is happening in my lifetime. Great work Steve!

  2. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Adrian – January 3, 2011

    “Steve, your Basic Improv lessons are THE BOMB!!! I have gone through so many teachers and none of them explains the concept and methodology quite as simply and easy to understand as yours! They just ask you to memorize scales and play what comes to mind. All jazz instructors should take a look at what you have.

    These lessons should be the very first lessons you put up. Makes everything all so clear now.

    Please consider writing a Neff Method to Basic Jazz Improv. I believe it will become a must have book for many Jazz Improv 101 college programs.

  3. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Pete Dimaline – January 28, 2011

    I want to say something about Steve Neff’s series of lessons, Beginner Jazz Improvisation. For a couple of years I tried many beginner lessons and my problem was that there was a gap between lessons that were fairly simple and ones that I was not quite ready for and my progress stalled out. That problem was solved with the series Beginner Jazz Improvisation. He guides you step by step along the way and builds a foundation for learning jazz and blues. He leaves no question about what to practice and focus on and the material is very interesting. I think this is the best teaching series available and he continues to add more lessons to the series. I can’t thank him enough for it. May he go on for ever! Pete

  4. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Sam Munn – December 31, 2012

    I just started on my first lesson ‘Beginning I improvisation 1A’. The way this lesson has started out is filling me with a lot of hope because it really does start from the ‘beginning’. I have bought many books, tapes and downloads labeled as ‘Beginners’ and after the first sentence they start rattling off like Charlie Parker. They must have forgotten what it’s like to be a beginner – so frigging frustrating. Well i am going back to your video, let you know how i get on.
    Cheers, Sam

  5. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Bill – September 6, 2013

    This is an awesome series. I am now more that half way through the series and I am quite pleased with my progress. Some of the lessons stand out more than others but the bottom line is over time you will gain an in depth knowledge of improvisation. One of my favorite things to do on my spare time is to improvise along with my “Band-In-A-Box”. I really feel like I’m progressing in my knowledge and skills. My wife told me she actually likes listening to me. What a shock that was to hear. By the way don’t let the title “Beginner Improvisation Series” fool you. This is not just for beginners.

  6. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Vinny (verified owner) – April 30, 2014

    Hello, I just listened to both 1A and 1B on the beginning Jazz Improvisation for the Alto and took notes. Wow. There is a lot of work here. This is great stuff Sir. I know a good amount of notes but have not in my short time playing learned the scales so I know I have a lot of catching up to do. It will take me a while to get to the place to play with the recordings on the volumes.

    Next month I have 4 more lessons to pick and I am just getting started on these 4. No one’s fault but my own.

    I am going to memorize them. Love the blues

    Again, great lessons.

    Vinny

  7. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    TIM GOUGH (verified owner) – June 24, 2019

    Really impressed with the course. After years learning and playing classical repertoire and knowing nothing at all about jazz and blues it’s starting out great, and it suits my way of learning. Can’t wait to learn and practice even more. Highly recommended.

Add a review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lesson Sample

https://public.neffmusic.com/Beginner%20Jazz%20Improvisation%20Lesson%201A-Alto%20Sax%20clip.mp4

Related products

  • Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 1B-Tenor Sax

    Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 1B-Tenor Sax

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 3B-Alto Sax

    Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 3B-Alto Sax

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Beginner Tenor Sax-Lesson 12

    Beginner Tenor Sax-Lesson 12

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Beginner Tenor Sax-Lesson 10

    Beginner Tenor Sax-Lesson 10

    $9.99
    Add to cart

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Search Products

COMPLETE LESSON INDEX

PRINTED BOOKS


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

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
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
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
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

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.

Steve, just a note to say thanks.

I’ve been playing a long time, but your material, laid out in such a thoughtful way, helps me to understand concepts in a new and deeper way.

You are a true gift to the jazz community.

60 lessons and going strong,

Kevin Ledbetter

Kevin Ledbetter
Hi Steve, I have been shedding your materials for quite a while now and I love them! They are extremely well organized and presented and there are tons of ’em! I really appreciate your methodical approach and find myself referring students to your resources often.  Thanks so much!  
Kenyon Carter
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 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

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

Featured Lessons

  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99 Original price was: $19.99.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 4.91 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson
    Rated 4.75 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Lesson Series Deals-Save Big on Select Lessons

Product Categories

Recent Reviews

  • Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson by Noah
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) by Andy
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Russ
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Timothy

Top Rated Products

  • Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1 The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Steve on Will the Real Michael Brecker’s Sax Mouthpiece Please Stand Up?
  • Perry on Will the Real Michael Brecker’s Sax Mouthpiece Please Stand Up?
  • Dominique on Otto Link Super Tone Master Florida V Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Felipe on Drake Jerry Bergonzi Master Series Power Resonance 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

Top rated products

  • Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1 The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Invitation Tune of the Week-Invitation
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Product tags

alto sax alto saxophone approach notes audio lesson bebop scale beginner beginner saxophone blues blues licks blues patterns blues scale blues scales diminished scale dominant chords ear training fundamentals II-V-I improvisation jazz improvisation jazz lines jazz patterns jazz sax jazz saxophone jazz standard jazz standards licks Mastering the Blues Scale Michael Brecker modern improv modern improvisation online lesson patterns playing outside practice habits reading music sax basics sax lessons saxophone scales smooth jazz steve neff tenor sax tenor saxophone video lesson video lessons
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • SUPPORT

Neffmusic © 2005–2025