• 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 / Sax Lessons / The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 9-Alternate Fingering Licks
“Developing A Great Sound Video Lesson” has been added to your cart. View cart
The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 9-Alternate Fingering Licks

The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 9-Alternate Fingering Licks

$11.99

Categories: Sax Lessons, Sax Tone Tags: altered fingerings, false fingerings, lesson, Michael Brecker, overtones, saxophone, voicing
  • Description
  • Reviews (0)
  • Lesson Sample

Description

Michael Brecker blew my mind back in the mid eighties when I first heard a recording of him in my college dorm room.  The sounds I heard that day were like nothing  I had heard out of a saxophone up until that day.  Brecker’s use of altissimo, overtones, altered fingerings as well as his aggressively burning technique just floored me that day. I could not figure out how anyone could play this way on the saxophone!

Later that year, I went to a Steps Ahead concert in Buffalo NY in the hopes that if I saw Michael Brecker in person, that I could decipher what he was actually doing.  I remember being so excited to finally see him live. I watched him play the whole concert but I was sadly disappointed that I could not figure out what he was doing.  His fingers were just moving too fast!

Over the years I have figured out many of his classic altered finger licks but about a month ago, I decided to take a closer look at what he was doing with these licks.  I started finding videos on Youtube of the licks I thought sounded amazing and slowing them down to 1/4 the speed.  I found that I could more clearly see his fingers and hear the notes he was playing at this speed.

In this compilation of lessons, I share 11 killer Michael Brecker alternate fingering licks with you as well as a video lessons on each lick. I show you how to finger the alternate fingerings and what I think Brecker is doing. I demonstrate all 11 licks on the tenor saxophone and teach you what I need to do to be able to play these lines.  These licks are usually only for subscribers of the site but I thought I would give you all a chance to check them out.   I will be adding more of these types of licks as well as Killer Altissimo licks in the future.   I am excited to be learning these licks as well and have been learning something new from Michael everyday!   You can see some examples of these types of licks on this page.

I demonstrate all the concepts in this lesson on the tenor saxophone. (11 Video Lesson, 11 Looped Videos of Brecker playing the lick, 5 Videos of the PDFs of the licks)

Examples of some of the Licks covered in the lessons:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.neffmusic.com/2019/BreckerAltFingerLick11.mp4

Lick 11

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.neffmusic.com/2019/BreckerAltFingerLick10.mp4

Lick 10

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.neffmusic.com/2019/BreckerAltFingerLick8.mp4

Lick 8

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.neffmusic.com/2019/BreckerAltFingerLick7.mp4

Lick 7

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.neffmusic.com/2019/Brecker_Classic_Alt_Lick5.mp4

Lick 5

 

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 9-Alternate Fingering Licks” Cancel reply

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

Lesson Sample

https://public.neffmusic.com/BreckerAltFingerLick11LessonClip.mp4

Related products

  • Neff's Saxophone Warmup Routine Lesson

    Neff’s Saxophone Warmup Routine Lesson

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Altissimo-One Note at a Time-Lesson 1-Tenor Sax

    Altissimo-One Note at a Time-Lesson 1-Tenor Sax

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Allard Overtone Exercise Lesson 1

    Allard Overtone Exercise Lesson 1

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • A Mature Embouchure Lesson

    A Mature Embouchure Lesson

    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
    Add to cart

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Search Products

COMPLETE LESSON INDEX

PRINTED BOOKS


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

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
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

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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
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
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

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
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

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
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

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

  • 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
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) by Andy

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

  • George on Theo Wanne Brahma Gold Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Greg D on JS Custom Nova 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Andrew Bowie on Theo Wanne Brahma Gold Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Giuseppe C. on JS Custom Nova 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Ian on JS Custom Nova 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

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 © 2005–2026