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Jazz Education

Practicing with Neff Video Practice Sessions

February 16, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

In 2018, I started an experiment in the Member’s VIP Learning Area of the site, where I started recording myself practicing for an hour at a time so that subscriber’s to my website could learn from my example.  As of this blog post, I currently have 21 hours of practice time recorded that member’s of […]

Filed Under: Learning at Neffmusic Tagged With: Jazz Education, learning, Neff, practicing, video

100 Must Know Jazz Tunes Consensus List

May 9, 2017 by Steve 11 Comments

I was going through my computer deleting random “bad” photos I have been collecting for years when I found this gem among the photos.  I must have downloaded it while on my phone from Facebook or some other source because I have no recollection of downloading it at all.  I was about to delete it when I […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: 100 best, Jazz Education, jazz standards, jazz tunes, must know list, Real Book

Saxophone Lessons in Montpelier Vermont

September 6, 2016 by Steve 2 Comments

Jazz Saxophone Lessons in Montpelier Vermont! I’ve just finished setting up my teaching studio in Montpelier, Vermont.  If you live near the Montpelier Vermont area, are in the U32 High School or the Washington West Supervisory Union and are interested in saxophone lessons I am now accepting new students.  Montpelier is the Vermont state capital […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: Barre, Berlin, Burlington, harwood union, high school, Jazz Education, Montpelier, sax lessons, saxophone teacher, Stowe, Vermont, Waitsfield, Waterbury Center, Williston

Saxophone Lessons in Montpelier Vermont!

March 8, 2016 by Steve Leave a Comment

Jazz Saxophone Lessons near Montpelier Vermont! I’ve just finished setting up my teaching studio in Waitsfield, Vermont.  If you live near the Montpelier Vermont area and are interested in saxophone lessons I am now accepting students.  Montpelier is a city in central Vermont and is about a half hour from Waitsfield Vermont. I teach saxophone and specialize in jazz […]

Filed Under: NeffMusic News Tagged With: Barre, Berlin, Burlington, harwood union, high school, Jazz Education, Monpelier, sax lessons, saxophone teacher, Stowe, Vermont, Waitsfield, Waterbury Center, Williston

2015 Aebersold Jazz Workshop with Chris Potter

October 23, 2015 by Steve 3 Comments

Here’s another great workshop with Chris Potter that I came across just now on Facebook. Chris Potter is one of the top tenor saxophone players in the world.  There is a great duo performance in the beginning of “Out of Nowhere” . Chris then answers questions from the students and faculty afterwards. Great stuff.    Check it out!

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: chris potter, clinic, Jazz Education, masterclass, tenor saxophone, workshop

Neffmusic Lessons: Where do I start?

January 26, 2015 by Steve Leave a Comment

Now that the Neffmusic site has over 500 lessons to choose from,  the two questions I get asked the most every week are:  “Where should I start?”  and  “What should I do next?” (Also, “What mouthpiece should I buy?” but that is a different subject than we are dealing with today). To answer these questions, I […]

Filed Under: Learning at Neffmusic Tagged With: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation, Neffmusic, saxophone school, self learning, video lessons

Great Lenny Pickett Clinic

November 25, 2014 by Steve 3 Comments

I just found these videos on Youtube a few minutes ago and started watching them.  Lenny Pickett is a tenor sax player known to almost all saxophone players.  If you have ever watched Saturday Night Live, you have heard Lenny Pickett.  He’s the sax player in the middle of the TV screen playing notes so […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education, Jazz Videos Tagged With: clinic, Jazz Education, jazz sax, Lenny Pickett, masterclass, tenor saxophone

Great George Garzone Masterclass

September 5, 2014 by Steve 2 Comments

Here’s a recently posted masterclass by the great jazz teacher and tenor saxophone player George Garzone.  I studied with George for a semester or two while at Berklee back in the mid 80’s.  I remember him messing up my whole musical worldview by telling me to not tongue and stop playing licks. ( I had […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: george garzone, Jazz Education, masterclass, saxophone, tenor sax, video

Great Hal Galper Masterclass Videos

August 1, 2010 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here are some great clips from youtube of a Hal Galper masterclass.  Hal Galper is a great piano player who has has played with many of the jazz legends.  I came to know him from some Phil Woods albums I had growing up.  These are great to watch a number of times.  Hal is such […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: Hal Galper, Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation, masterclass

Kenny Werner Masterclass

December 3, 2007 by Steve Leave a Comment

This is a great masterclass by Kenny Werner. I’ve been a fan of Kenny Werner since I read his book “Effortless Mastery” a number of years ago. I love his mindset of letting go of the fear and distraction that can attack us when we perform. So often when I was younger, I would be […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: Jazz Education, Jazz Improvisation, Kenny Werner, masterclass

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Testimonials

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
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
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
Thank you so much for the great job you are doing to help further our jazz studies. Though I make my living as a repairer of musical instruments I am a student of jazz and have been fortunate enough to be involved with a big band and a combo for the last several years. As my children began to leave “the nest” I had decided to dedicate the next half of my life to a more serious study of the sax but I didn’t know exactly how I would go about doing this until a friend of mine turned me onto your si… Read more
Jon
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

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 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
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

Hello Steve,

I just want to say thank you so much for your unbelievable work, it is just mind opening, thanks for sharing it.

Wolfgang from Berlin

Wolfgang from Berlin
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

I must say again how much I appreciate all your material. Including the video tutorials. It help keep me focused and knowing what to aim for. And your laid back teaching style appeals to me too. 

Thanks

P

P
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
I have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry

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.
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul
Hey Steve, I’m a 22-year-old from Australia. I thought it would be worth saying. You’re an absolute legend. I can’t thank you enough. You have helped me rekindle my love for the saxophone and music as a whole. All the best for the future, your work doesn’t go unnoticed. PS. I am loving your devastating minor lines pdf.
Sapph

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
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

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

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
I would like to say that in the last year my sax playing has progressed loads from your lessons. I have had a sax for about 20 years and dabbled with lessons from a few teachers and have learnt very little from them. As you have said in your lessons many teachers tell you to use the blues scale and leave it there, not even showing you the resolution points!!. I am now believing I can in time become a good improviser.
Thanks again,
Shane
Shane
Your lessons on playing the blues is so clear . I have been through many books on blues playing and not one of them explains as clear as your lessons . Most of them say “Play the same blues scale over all three chords of a 12 bar blues ” Its very misleading .     Thanks
Martin

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
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!

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