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You are here: Home / Archives for jazz sax

jazz sax

Phil-Tone Topaz Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

March 4, 2025 by Steve 12 Comments

Today I am reviewing another great alto saxophone mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone Mouthpieces.  I have reviewed quite a few Phil-Tone saxophone mouthpieces on this site already and am always interested when Phil announces a new Phil-Tone saxophone mouthpiece model.  Phil Engleman’s mouthpiece work is always top notch and he has created some phenomenal mouthpieces […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Cannonball Adderley, jazz sax, medium small chamber, Meyer, mouthpiece, Phil Engleman, Phil Woods, Phil-tone, review, Topaz

Can You Play Jazz on a Selmer S80 Classical Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece?

May 20, 2024 by Steve 9 Comments

Today, I will be reviewing three Selmer S80 classical tenor saxophone mouthpieces of different tip openings that I was able to borrow from a local music store.  My goal is to see how they perform for my style of saxophone playing.  To be fair, the Selmer S80 tenor saxophone mouthpieces were designed for classical tenor […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: classical sax, hard rubber, jazz sax, review, S80, sax mouthpiece, selmer, tenor saxophone

Chris Potter Monster Lick of the Day #5 Tenor Sax

November 22, 2023 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here is a killer Chris Potter line that I picked up off of the Youtube video below. Chris Potter is playing a tenor saxophone solo on a blues (Au Privave by Charlie Parker) and this short line just jumped off the video and knocked me upside the head.  I thought I would share it with […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Au Privave, blues, chris potter, jazz sax, tenor saxophone, transcription

Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 24, 2023 by Steve 24 Comments

Today I am reviewing another great tenor saxophone mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone mouthpieces.  I have reviewed quite a few Phil-Tone sax mouthpieces on the site already and am always interested when Phil announces a new Phil-Tone saxophone mouthpiece model. A couple of months ago he announced that he had a new Phil-Tone tenor sax mouthpiece model […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: jazz sax, mouthpiece, Phil Engleman, Phil-tone, review, Rift, tenor saxophone

Avel Sound Concept (ASC)-Mistral Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

January 19, 2023 by Steve 8 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Avel Sound Concept (ASC) Mistral model alto saxophone mouthpiece made by Max Even at Avel Sound Concept Mouthpieces.  These are really reasonable priced, quality hard rubber alto saxophone mouthpieces that play incredibly well.  The hard rubber ASC Mistral alto sax mouthpiece I am reviewing today has a 6* tip opening […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, ASC, Avel Sound Concept, jazz sax, Max Even, Mistral, mouthpiece, review

Chris Cheek & Seamus Blake Limehouse Blues Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription

January 7, 2023 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here’s another mind-blowing tenor saxophone transcription of Seamus Blake and Chris Cheek totally smokin’ on the jazz standard Limehouse Blues.  This transcription was done by German tenor saxophonist Fabian Willmann (he has studied with Chris Potter, Mark Turner and Joe Lovano).  Fabian was nice enough to let me post this transcription here on my site […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Chris Cheek, jazz sax, jazz solo, Limehouse Blues, Seamus Blake, tenor saxophone, transcription

Insane Michael Brecker Invitation Tenor Sax Solo Transcription from the Jaco Birthday Concert

December 15, 2022 by Steve 8 Comments

Here’s another great Michael Brecker tenor saxophone solo transcription I am excited to share with everyone. This is a transcription of Michael Brecker’s insane tenor sax solo on the jazz standard, “Invitation” from the Jaco Pastorius’ album “The Birthday Concert” (this is not the Invitation solo from Jack Wilkins album “Merge”).  The Jaco Pastorius “Birthday […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Birthday Concert, Invitation, Jaco Pastorius, jazz sax, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone, transcription

Theo Wanne Battle Royal Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Showdown: Round One-Ballad

November 30, 2022 by Steve 35 Comments

Today, I am posting a battle royal, fight to the death, comparison between six Theo Wanne tenor saxophone mouthpieces that I have already reviewed here at Neffmusic.  Here are the six Theo Wanne mouthpieces doing battle in round one today with links to their reviews: Theo Wanne Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Lineup (From Left to Right-Ambika […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Ambika 3, comparison, Durga 5, Gaia 3, Gaia4, jazz sax, Lakshmi, metal, mouthpiece, review, Roberto's Winds saxophone reeds, Shiva 3, tenor saxophone, Theo Wanne

Pat Martino’s Great Just Friends Guitar Solo Transcription Transposed for Saxophones

July 7, 2022 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here is a great transcription of the great guitarist, Pat Martino, soloing on the classic standard “Just Friends”.  This was in a file on my computer labeled “Solos to Transcribe”.  Usually, I put music in this file that peaks my interest and that I would like to dig in to at a later date.   After […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: alto sax, guitar, jazz sax, Just Friends, Pat Martino, solo, tenor saxophone, transcription

Drake FG (Freddie Gregory) Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

February 16, 2022 by Steve 49 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a Drake FG (Freddie Gregory) model 8 tenor saxophone mouthpiece made by Aaron Drake at Drake mouthpieces.  This Drake FG model tenor saxophone mouthpiece was inspired by a Freddie Gregory  hard rubber tenor sax mouthpiece that Jeff Coffin plays and that Aaron Drake did some work on. Aaron told me that […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, FG model, freddie gregory, jazz sax, Jeff Coffin, Mark IV, mouthpiece, review, tenor sax, tenor saxophone

Mike Tucker Swingin’ One Chorus Confirmation Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription

November 4, 2021 by Steve 2 Comments

Here is another transcription of a great Mike Tucker tenor saxophone solo that Mike posted on Instagram a few days ago. This is a short but sweet one chorus solo on the changes to the tune “Confirmation” by Charlie Parker. I can’t resist transcribing these short solos as I can do them pretty quickly and […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Boston Sax Shop, BSS, Charlie Parker, Confirmation, jazz sax, Mike Tucker, R-Series, tenor saxophone, transcription

Chris Potter’s Incredible Scrapple from the Apple Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription

October 30, 2021 by Steve 13 Comments

Here is another great tenor saxophone solo by the always amazing, Chris Potter. If you are a tenor sax player, you probably know who Chris Potter is.  I first heard of him during the early 2000’s when a fellow musician told me about Chris’s amazing sax playing.   I have been listening to him ever since…….. […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Charlie Parker, chris potter, jazz sax, Scrapple from the Apple, solo, tenor saxophone, transcription

Drake Jerry Bergonzi Master Series Power Resonance 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

September 20, 2021 by Steve 11 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a Drake Jerry Bergonzi Master Series Power Resonance 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece made by Aaron Drake at Drake mouthpieces.  This Drake tenor mouthpiece is advertised as  “rollover baffle contour – identical to the Drake Bergonzi “EB” model – with a raised floor contour which gives the mouthpiece greater projection without being […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: aaron drake, jazz sax, jerry bergonzi, master series, mouthpiece, power resonance, review, tenor sax, tenor saxophone

Chad LB Burnin’ B Minor Riff Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription

May 20, 2021 by Steve Leave a Comment

Here is another transcription of a killer Chad LB (Lefkowitz-Brown) tenor saxophone riff that Chad posted on Instagram a few days ago. This is a short but sweet funky riff in B minor with some tasty modern lines thrown into the mix. I can’t resist transcribing these short solos as I can do them pretty […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: B Minor Riff, Chad LB, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, jazz sax, Syos mouthpiece, tenor saxophone, transcription

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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
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

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!
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

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
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 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
Hi Steve, I live in a gorgeous but rural area of Oregon-no music store within 80 miles. Your lessons are my lifeline!  Truly the best there are anywhere online. Love your playing. Love your teaching.  Thanks again. Ed
Ed Woodmansee

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 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
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

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 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
I have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry
Your major diatonic patterns book is great. I”m studying the first twenty patterns (first twenty pages) each day with different articulation each day and slowly increasing the tempo each week or so.  There is a noticeable improvement in finger coordination across all keys and its amazing how much more secure I feel on the difficult keys when attempting to play pieces with 5+ flats/sharps. I’m able to sort out the fingerings for these pieces now much more quickly than before, often in one or two … Read more
Geoff
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
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
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
Steve really changed my way of practicing: I got a whole lot of new ideas for my playing the tenor.  His lessons are really helpful, give a lot stuff to practice and give clear answers to complicated stuff.  Steve has a lot of humor and I wish I had laughed so much in my former days with the horn.  All topics, from Blues to Approach note are dealt with clearness that wet ones appetite to play and practice that great ideas.
Uwe
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

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 am a music book junkie and I have to say that your books are the most clear, user friendly, and helpful books I own.  They are my absolute favorites and I only wish I had them years ago.  I wouldn’t change a thing about the experience I had in acquiring my degree at Berklee, but my playing has perhaps grown more in the time I’ve spent buried in your books and lessons.  Keep up the great work!!! Thanks, John
John

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