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alto sax

The Dick Oatts Solo Collection Review

December 2, 2015 by Steve 3 Comments

  Today I am reviewing an awesome new transcription book of solos by alto saxophonist Dick Oatts.  Dan Bayliss wrote the transcriptions and did the work of putting this ebook together.  It includes 9 solos from 3 albums and is 68 pages long. The CD’s the solos are from are Dick Oatts “Standard Issue Volume […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Jazz Education Tagged With: alto sax, Dan Bayliss, Dick Oatts, jazz saxophone, jazz standards, Transcriptions

Great Lesson Package Deals on Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 1 Lessons

November 7, 2015 by Steve 2 Comments

I created two more great lesson package deals that compliment my book Mastering the Blues Scale-Vol. 1 One is a 3 lesson deal for alto sax in a smooth jazz style and the other is a 5 lesson deal for tenor sax in the same smooth jazz style.  Here are the details and links to check them out: […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: alto sax, blues scales, funk, smooth jazz, tenor sax, video lessons

Danny Walsh Transcription of Solo on “One for Rich”

September 24, 2015 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here’s another great solo transcription from a Youtube video that I started working on a few days ago.   My tenor was getting overhauled so I thought I would take a stab at an alto solo while it was in the shop.  This is from the great sax player, Danny Walsh and is a solo he played with the Ball  State […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: alto sax, Danny Walsh, How Deep is the Ocean, One for Rich, saxophone, transcription

Silverstein Saxophone Ligature Review

November 11, 2013 by Steve 29 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new ligature made by  Silverstein Works.  For years I have heard about the amazing results that musicians would get from string ligatures.   These whispers and rumors were usually heard on different clarinet boards and forums that I would visit.  These posts were  so compelling and convincing that I had […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: alto sax, saxophone ligature, Silverstein, string ligature, tenor sax

Bari Hybrid Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 18, 2013 by Steve 8 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Bari Hybrid alto saxophone mouthpiece 6 (.077 tip opening).  This mouthpiece has the gold band around it.  It is called a “hybrid” because it is a mix of hard rubber and gold plated brass.  The front part of the mouthpiece is all hard rubber but the shank and bore of […]

Filed Under: Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, Bari, Hybrid, review, saxophone mouthpiece

Macsax D Model Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 17, 2012 by Steve 9 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new MacSax alto saxophone mouthpiece that is made by Eric Falcon. I have reviewed a number of other mouthpieces in the past that were made or refaced by Eric Falcon which I loved.  This mouthpiece is the D model and is made of hard rubber. MacSax D Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, D model.hard rubber, Eric Falcon, MacSax, saxophone mouthpiece

SaxZ Dave Sanborn Hard Rubber Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

February 7, 2012 by Steve 21 Comments

This is a SaxZ “Dave Sanborn” hard rubber alto saxophone mouthpiece.  SaxZ is a company in Japan which is run by Mitsu Watanabe.  I have reviewed a metal SAXZ Dave Sanborn model in the past and was curious to try the hard rubber model.   This mouthpiece has an 8 tip opening. SaxZ Dave Sanborn Hard […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, Dave Sanborn, hard rubber, saxophone mouthpiece, SaxZ

Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Hard Rubber Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 3, 2011 by Steve 53 Comments

I have another Ishimori Woodstone  alto saxophone mouthpiece to review and play today.  This one is the hard rubber “Super Custom” traditional jazz model in a 6 tip opening.  I was very excited to play this alto mouthpiece as I have heard so much about the tenor mouthpieces and knew the alto mouthpiece would be […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, hard rubber, Ishimori, saxophone mouthpiece, super custom, traditional jazz, Woodstone

Ishimori Woodstone A11 Silver Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

August 3, 2011 by Steve 7 Comments

I have an Ishimori Woodstone silver alto sax mouthpiece to review and play for you today. This is a 7* tip high baffled mouthpiece.  I have been eagerly wanting to try these Ishimori mouthpieces out for quite awhile. Ishimori Woodstone A11 Silver Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Over the past few months I have heard of Ishimori […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, Ishimori, saxophone mouthpiece, silver A11, Woodstone

Charlie Parker “Bird” Legend Series Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

July 15, 2011 by Steve 19 Comments

Here is another mouthpiece in the Legend series made for RS Berkeley by Drake mouthpieces.   A number of months ago I reviewed a copy of  Stan Getz’s mouthpiece.  This mouthpiece is a copy of Charlie Parker’s mouthpiece.   Les Silver (a member of my site for the last 2 years ) called me up a […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, alto sax, Bird, Charlie Parker, rs berkeley, saxophone mouthpiece

Aizen Jazz Master 7 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 10, 2011 by Steve 26 Comments

This is a new Aizen Jazz Master mouthpiece that I received in the mail last week. It is a 7 tip opening. If you follow my blog regularly, then you might remember that I reviewed the very first limited edition Aizen sax mouthpiece when it first came out a few years ago.  Since then, they […]

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Aizen, alto sax, Jazz Master, saxophone mouthpiece

Aizen NY Jazz 7 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 10, 2011 by Steve 17 Comments

This is a new Aizen NY Jazz mouthpiece that I received in the mail last week.  It is a 7 tip opening.  If you follow my blog regularly,  then you might remember that I reviewed the very first limited edition Aizen sax mouthpiece when it first came out a few years ago.  Since then, they […]

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Aizen, alto sax, NY Jazz, saxophone mouthpiece

Sax Mouthpieces: The Length of the Facing Curve

August 16, 2008 by Steve 26 Comments

I’ve been doing a lot of experimentation into different facing curve lengths on my alto and tenor saxophone. On my alto sax, I have been using mouthpieces that were all refaced by Brian Powell to .080 tip openings but with different facing curve lengths. These are what I’ve been using: Florida Hard Rubber Link-20mm facing […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto sax, Brian Powell, facing curve, sax mouthpiece

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I have been a member of Neffmusic for more than a year now and have enjoyed every minute of it! I have not only been going thru the Dominant Bebop Scale lessons and book (OUTSTANDING!) but the mouthpiece reviews, solo clips and transcriptions are very interesting. Steve approach to beginning and intermediate improv have given me many new pathways to teach my high school jazz ensemble students. Congratulations Steve, great product!
Craig
Steve’s monthly lessons are entirely valuable. Without brow beating, he tells you all the stuff you deep down know you really should be working on, instead of just relying on the same old patterns. In spite of the fact that you’re taking a video lesson, Steve’s presentation is comfortable and “real”. In a little more than a year, he’s developed a library of lessons that seem to offer any player a lifetime’s worth of practice material. I’m just glad I stumbled upon it.… Read more
Grant

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
I like so many other subscribers feel so encouraged by Steve’s learning techniques; you will enjoy reading the comments of praise others have left as you too will feel that you share a common view and path. I feel very lucky to have come across Neffmusic and that feeling will remain with you as you search through a treasure trove of learning materials on offer, you will quickly find the lessons that you are suited to. You will instantly recognize the unparalleled quality of Steve’s teaching … Read more
Stephen

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
I’ve been a member of Steve’s site for about six months now and the difference it has made to my playing is immeasurable. The (many) benefits of this membership are that you can have lessons at time convenient to you, they work out A LOT cheaper than face-to-face lessons with a teacher of the same calibre and you can replay them ad infinitum. I don’t know how many times have I had lessons in the past where I’ve ended up covering the same concepts when really a ‘replay’ of the last lesson would h… Read more
Nick
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

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 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

Thank You Steve. I think that I will be busy for years. Thank You for your great contribution to jazz music. Your books, more than teaching “how to play jazz”, actually teach “how to speak jazz”. I wish I found your methods years ago.  

Jean-Eric
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 am enjoying your style of teaching, and you’ve done a great job with the videos….good sound quality and well constructed lessons.  Balances the more guitaristic material found on the majority of guitar based programs.  Jazz vocab is what I’m all about at this point in the journey.  I especially dig the fact that you’ve studied with Bergonzi…helps me see his voluminous output in a more bite sized way.

Milton
Thanks so much for putting all this great learning material out there. I don’t often have the time to take a lesson with a teacher, so the ability to download lessons is really invaluable. My playing has improved enormously (I think :)) – and the lessons are so varied there’s always something to be inspired by. Incredible value too!
Roger

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
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
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
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 just wanted to write a thank you note to you for this website. I play and teach saxophone, but I have always been intimidated by the gear aspect. Your website has helped me become a lot more knowledgable. Your knowledge is staggering! I’m telling all my students about your website. Pierre
Pierre

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
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 joined your site this month and have downloaded 4 lessons and also purchased your new book and video on diatonic patterns. I just want to say I am very pleased with your approach and teaching techniques. I am getting back into playing after laying off for some time. The information you offer on your site is of great value and I am enjoying being a member. Thank you for what you are doing for the saxophone community.
Tony
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
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
I have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry

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