• 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 / Jazz Lessons / The Blues / Tension & Release Blues Lesson 1
Tension & Release Blues Lesson 1

Tension & Release Blues Lesson 1

$9.99

SKU: 353 Category: The Blues Tags: adding tension, jazz improvisation, playing outside, tenor saxophone, the blues, video lesson
  • Description
  • Reviews (0)
  • Lesson Sample

Description

In this lesson I teach you the concept of creating tension in your blues solos by playing altered or diminished scales and ideas on certain bars of a standard 12 bar blues.

This is a common tool that many jazz players use over a blues to create tensions and resolutions.

This is a great tool to add if you feel that your blues playing is getting dull and mundane.  You can spice things up with a few “outside” notes placed in the right measures.

I demonstrate the scales and where to use them on a Bb concert blues with my tenor saxophone. I have included a PDF of the blues solo I play at 16:30 on the video also in Bb and C. (34 Minute Video Lesson & PDF)

 

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Tension & Release Blues Lesson 1” Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

Lesson Sample

Related products

  • Playing Outside-Random Note Lesson

    Playing Outside-Random Note Lesson

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Playing Outside-A Study in 4ths-Lesson 2

    Playing Outside-A Study in 4ths-Lesson 2

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Devastating Minor Lines-Lesson 1

    Devastating Minor Lines-Lesson 1

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor

    The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor

    $9.99
    Add to cart

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Search Products

COMPLETE LESSON INDEX

PRINTED BOOKS


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

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
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
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
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
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

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
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 … Read more
Pete

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

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

I want to thank you again, because, not only are you an inspiration to listen to, you are a fine teacher!

I have been teaching sax and other winds for over 20 years, and you give me that “push” to give my students more!

Mark Peotter

Mark Peotter

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
  • Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book) Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Mastering the Minor ii-7b5 V7b9 Bebop Scale (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Minor ii-7b5 V7b9 Bebop Scale (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Lesson Series Deals-Save Big on Select Lessons

Product Categories

Recent Reviews

  • Playing Outside-4 Tonic Dominant b9 Pentatonics-Lesson 1 Playing Outside-4 Tonic Dominant b9 Pentatonics-Lesson 1
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Stuart
  • Mastering Altered Pentatonics (Digital PDF Book) Mastering Altered Pentatonics (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Jim Ramsey
  • Practicing Double-Time Licks Lesson Practicing Double-Time Licks Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Az Samad
  • Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson by Noah

Top Rated Products

  • Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book) Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Approach Note Velocity Volume 1-Major (Digital PDF Book) Approach Note Velocity Volume 1-Major (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Steve on The New JJ Babbitt and Theo Wanne Meyer 6M Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on Morgan Dry Martini Model 18 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on The New JJ Babbitt and Theo Wanne Meyer 6M Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on The New JJ Babbitt and Theo Wanne Meyer 6M Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on SYOS In a Sentimetal Mood Titanium Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Top rated products

  • Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book) Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Approach Note Velocity Volume 1-Major (Digital PDF Book) Approach Note Velocity Volume 1-Major (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • 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
  • Approach Note Velocity Volume 2-Minor (Digital PDF Book) Approach Note Velocity Volume 2-Minor (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99

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 © 2005–2026