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jazz sax

Chad LB Monster Lick of the Day #4 Tenor Sax

February 3, 2020 by Steve 2 Comments

Here is a killer Chad LB (Lefkowitz-Brown) lick that I picked up off of a Youtube video below. Chad is trying out and comparing a D’Addario tenor saxophone mouthpiece to his own SYOS Chad LB tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  At the 4:02-4:06 mark, Chad plays a great modern “Breckeresque” type line that I immediately decided I […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Chad LB, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, jazz sax, tenor saxophone, transcription

Joel Frahm Monster Lick of the Day #3 Tenor Sax

January 10, 2020 by Steve 9 Comments

Here is a killer Joel Frahm lick that I picked up off of a Facebook video below. Joel is trying out a TT tenor saxophone mouthpiece that he sounds terrific on (he hasn’t even taken off his winter hat or coat which cracks me up…..like he just walked in off the street).  At the :08 […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: altered line, jazz sax, Joel Frahm, lick, tenor saxophone, transcription, TT tenor mouthpiece

Doug Webb Swingin’ Rhythm Changes Tenor Sax Solo Transcription

December 5, 2019 by Steve 6 Comments

Here is a great solo by the tenor saxophone player Doug Webb.  Doug is a fantastic tenor player from the west coast (Los Angeles area).  I own a bunch of his albums including a Christmas CD entitled “Home for Christmas” which is my go to Christmas music when my family wants Christmas music but I […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Doug Webb, jazz sax, Moose the Mooche, rhythm changes, solo transcription, tenor saxophone

Video Tour of The Michael Brecker Archive at William Paterson University

June 24, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

Louis Gerrits creator of the site michaelbreckerliverecordings.com posted a link to a video tour of the Living Jazz Archives at William Paterson University which includes the Michael Brecker Archive on Facebook this morning.   I posted about this great archive in the past here: Michael Brecker Archive Article. The Michael Brecker part of the video tour […]

Filed Under: Jazz Videos Tagged With: archive, Dave Demsey, jazz sax, living jazz, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone, video tour, William Paterson University

Vintage New York Meyer USA 4M Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Refaced By Jimmy Jensen Review

June 15, 2019 by Steve 20 Comments

Today, I’m lucky to be able to play and review a vintage New York Meyer medium chamber alto saxophone mouthpiece.  Jimmy Jensen at Tenor Madness was nice enough to send me what he called a “mouthpiece funbox”.  This was a box of special and unique mouthpieces that Jimmy thought I might find interesting.  Among the […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, jazz sax, jimmy jensen, Meyer, new york, review, USA, Vintage

Meet the Tuckers-Blues Up and Down-Tucker Antell and Mike Tucker Tenor Sax Solo Transcription

April 13, 2019 by Steve 1 Comment

Here is another great transcription of two local tenor saxophone players up here in the Northeast that many of you outside the area might not know about. Mike Tucker and Tucker Antell.  Since I posted the start of the Eternal Triangle solo by these two yesterday, I have received many comments in response.  “Meet the […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: blues solo, Blues Up and Down, jazz sax, Mike Tucker, tenor saxophone, transcription, Tucker Antell

JX Custom JXRO 8 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

February 16, 2019 by Steve 9 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the JX Custom JXRO 8 alto saxophone mouthpiece.    This is made by Jianxing Li in Guangzhou, China.  A number of months ago, I was contacted and asked if I would consider reviewing the sax mouthpieces in the photo below for Mr. Li.  They look to be quite the arsenal of […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, jazz sax, JX Custom, JXRO, mouthpiece, review, Sanborn

Dexter Gordon Tenor Sax Solo Transcription of You Stepped Out of a Dream

January 23, 2019 by Steve 9 Comments

A couple of months ago I received an email asking me if I could transcribe Dexter Gordon’s solo on “You Stepped Out of a Dream” from the Youtube video below with Dexter Gordon and Oscar Peterson.  I clicked on the video and agreed with the person that sent the email that this was an amazing […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Dexter Gordon, jazz sax, solo, tenor saxophone, transcription, You've Stepped Out of a Dream

Danny Walsh Tenor Sax Solo Transcription of Wave

January 16, 2019 by Steve 12 Comments

Here’s another great saxophone solo transcription from a Youtube video that I started working on this morning.   This is another great solo from the terrific tenor sax player, Danny Walsh (I’ve already transcribed a couple other solos by him). Danny Walsh is an amazing NYC saxophone player that  many people may not know about but is definitely worth […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Danny Walsh, Improvisation, jazz sax, Jobim, solo, tenor saxophone, transcription, Wave

The Michael Brecker Archive at William Paterson University

October 15, 2018 by Steve 5 Comments

Dr. David Demsey at William Paterson University contacted me a few years ago to tell me about the “Living Jazz Archives” that the University was building and how they were adding a Michael Brecker Archive to the already existing archives that they already had.   The Living Jazz Archives are: A TEACHING TOOL for William Paterson University […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: archive, David Demsey, Improvisation, jazz sax, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone, William Paterson University

The Art of Imitation-Michael Brecker on Peep

October 11, 2018 by Steve 14 Comments

Someone on SOTW (Sax on the Web) posted a video this morning of Michael Brecker soloing over his tune Peep from the early 90’s. Peep was a Brecker tune from the album “Now You See It… (Now You Don’t) that blew my mind when it was released in 1990.   I was a young Brecker head […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: imitation, Improvisation, jazz sax, Michael Brecker, Peep, tenor saxophone

Dave O’Higgins and Max Ionata Minor Blues Tenor Sax Transcription

July 26, 2018 by Steve 5 Comments

I just got back from a family vacation and was dreading picking up my sax and playing after having about two weeks off.  I decided I needed some inspiration,  so I found this video on Youtube to transcribe this morning.  It is of Dave O’Higgins and Max Ionata tearing up a minor blues on tenor […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Dave O'Higgins, jazz sax, Max Ionata, Minor Blues, tenor saxophone, transcription

10mFan Showboat Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

June 14, 2018 by Steve 34 Comments

Mark Sepinuck, 10mFan as he is known in the saxophone world, has been producing a line of tenor saxophone mouthpieces for the last five years that have been very popular with saxophone players around the world.  I have reviewed some of 10mFan’s tenor sax mouthpiece models in the past such as the Robusto, the Black […]

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: 10mFan, Alto Saxophone, jazz sax, mouthpiece, Phil Woods, review, Showboat

Westcoast Sax MOAM .081 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

June 5, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

Today, I am reviewing the Westcoast Sax “MOAM” .081 alto saxophone mouthpiece.  You might remember that I reviewed a non-plated MOAM alto mouthpiece that had a .086 tip opening last fall. Matt Lee at Westcoast Sax is always picking interesting and understated names for his mouthpieces and this is no exception.  The name MOAM stands for […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto mouthpiece, jazz sax, MOAM, review, saxophone, soundclip, Theo Wanne, westcoast sax

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Testimonials

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

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

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
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
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
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
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 can’t say enough about my membership at Neff Music. Steve has taken the mystery out of playing the saxophone well and improvising both jazz and rock music. Like most struggling players I have a load of all sorts of books on my shelf just gathering dust. Books that I didn’t understand or know how to put to use…or just have the time to go threw them. Steve’s lessons really simplify things and he puts it in a way that I can understand. They inspire me to keep pushing and having him as my guide or… Read more
Ken
I bought Steve’s dominant bebop book and took a couple of online lesson from him. I really appreciated Steve’s careful listening of what I wanted to get done in a lesson and his clear, concise ideas on next steps to improve my playing and musical interpretation.  His mastering  the Dominant Bebop Scale has lots of exercises to use a scale that addresses the largest percentage of chords I come across in pop/blues music. The dominant V7.  Needless say it has improved my playing.  I teach and a… Read more
Keith
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

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
First, I’m really excited about your materials! This site is a vast resource for any aspiring (and maybe already inspired) jazz musicians. I’m not a sax player, I play mandolin and fiddle, but have been learning jazz and playing weekly with a quintet for the past 6 months and have been struggling with all of the issues you get into in your lessons. I bought several books and lessons and plan to continue with some others as soon as I organize my practice routine. Thanks again for a great site … Read more
Tony Galfano

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
Hi Steve, I have been shedding your materials for quite a while now and I love them! They are extremely well organized and presented and there are tons of ’em! I really appreciate your methodical approach and find myself referring students to your resources often.  Thanks so much!  
Kenyon Carter
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella

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
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
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
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
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
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

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