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mouthpiece

How to Spot a Fake Vintage Saxophone Mouthpiece

April 6, 2021 by Steve 1 Comment

Many of you might remember that I wrote an in-depth article about a year and a half ago on counterfeit vintage saxophone mouthpieces entitled “Buyer Beware! Counterfeit Vintage Saxophone Mouthpieces Galore“. In that article, I included as much information and photo evidence of counterfeit vintage sax mouthpieces that were (and still are) flooding the saxophone […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, NeffMusic News, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: counterfeit, fake, mouthpiece, rip-off, sax, saxophone, scam, Stephan Kammerer, Vintage

Absolute Color Line Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

February 22, 2021 by Steve 2 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new alto saxophone mouthpiece from Absolute mouthpieces in Italy.  This is neon yellow Absolute Color Line 7 alto saxophone mouthpiece.   These Absolute Color Line saxophone mouthpieces also come in neon blue as well as neon red as you can see in the photo below. Absolute Color Line Neon Yellow, Neon […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Absolute, alto sax, Color Line, Italy, jazz saxophone, mouthpiece, neon yellow, review

An Inside Look into the Joe Allard Approach of Saxophone Playing: Memories of the First Three Lessons

February 19, 2021 by Steve 19 Comments

In 2010, Gary Jones posted these personal memories written below on the “Sax on the Web” saxophone forum.  Gary shared these recollections from his first three lessons with George, a graduate student who personally studied with Joe Allard in the 1970’s.   He happily gave me permission to post his memories here also. This is what […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Allard Saxophone method, embouchure, Joe Allard, mouthpiece, Teaching Saxophone

Comparing Four SYOS Signature Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpieces Side by Side

January 15, 2021 by Steve 4 Comments

Today, I am comparing four SYOS tenor saxophone mouthpieces that I have reviewed in the past side by side so that you can more easily hear and compare these tenor saxophone mouthpieces and sound clips to each other.  The comparison is between the SYOS Chad LB 8* tenor saxophone mouthpiece, the SYOS Tivon Pennicott 8 […]

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Chad LB, comparison, Lorenzo Ferrero, Michael Wilbur, mouthpiece, review, Signature Model, SYOS, tenor saxophone, Tivon Pennicott

SYOS Knoel Scott Signature Model Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

December 18, 2020 by Steve 9 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Knoel Scott signature model 7 alto saxophone mouthpiece from SYOS mouthpieces in France.   I have already completed a number of Syos saxophone mouthpiece reviews here on the site and I thought all of these sax mouthpieces played excellently so I was excited to review this Knoel Scott signature alto saxophone […]

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, Knoel Scott, mouthpiece, review, Signature Model, SYOS

Sakshama Branford Marsalis Model Delrin Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

December 3, 2020 by Steve 29 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a Sakshama Branford Marsalis model Delrin tenor saxophone mouthpiece that I bought used online because I was curious about this tenor sax mouthpiece.  I have read that Branford Marsalis played a Guardala tenor sax mouthpiece in the 80’s and 90’s (not sure when he switched to something else) and I have […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Branford Marsalis, delrin, mouthpiece, review, Sakshama, sax, tenor saxophone

Saxscape Arizona Slim Profile Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

November 19, 2020 by Steve 16 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a Saxscape Arizona slim profile 7* (.104 tip opening) tenor saxophone mouthpiece that Ken Barry at Saxscape mouthpieces recently sent me to try out and perhaps review. Within the last year, I reviewed a Saxscape Live model tenor sax mouthpiece as well as a Saxscape Fat Cat Classic and Downtown MB1 […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Arizona, Ken Barry, mouthpiece, review, sax, Saxscape, slim profile, tenor saxophone

SYOS Lorenzo Ferrero Signature Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

November 3, 2020 by Steve 11 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Lorenzo Ferrero signature model 8* tenor saxophone mouthpiece from SYOS mouthpieces in France.  This is my fourth SYOS tenor saxophone mouthpiece I will be reviewing today.  I have already reviewed the SYOS Chad LB signature model tenor sax mouthpiece ,the Tivon Pennicott signature model tenor sax mouthpiece and the Michael […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Lorenzo Ferrero, mouthpiece, review, Signature Model, SYOS, tenor saxophone

SYOS Steve Kortyka Signature Model Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

November 2, 2020 by Steve 6 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the SYOS Steve Kortyka Signature Model Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece from SYOS mouthpieces in France.  This is my sixth SYOS  saxophone mouthpiece I will be reviewing today.  If you want to check out the other SYOS saxophone mouthpieces I have reviewed so far you can click here:  SYOS Mouthpiece Reviews This SYOS […]

Filed Under: Alto High Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Alto Saxophone, mouthpiece, review, Signature Model, Steve Kortyka, SYOS

JLV Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Sound Resurfacing Ligature Review

September 23, 2020 by Steve 24 Comments

Today, I am reviewing an innovative new saxophone mouthpiece ligature I received from JLV Sound in France.  It is the JLV Sound Resurfacing Sax Ligature for hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpieces. This is not your everyday run of the mill saxophone ligature.  I have included quite a few photos and even a video presentation of […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: hard rubber, JLV, ligature, mouthpiece, resurfacing, review, saxophone, sound, tenor sax

Boston Sax Shop Superlative Tenor Saxophone Ligature Review

September 11, 2020 by Steve 10 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a beautiful new saxophone ligature I received from Jack Tyler at the Boston Sax Shop.  It is the Boston Sax Shop Superlative Sax Ligature for hard rubber tenor sax mouthpieces. I have reviewed a number of Boston Sax Shop products on this site in the past and have written about Jack […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Boston Sax Shop, BSS, hard rubber, ligature, mouthpiece, review, superlative, tenor sax, tenor saxophone

SYOS Michael Wilbur Signature Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

July 17, 2020 by Steve 13 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Michael Wilbur signature model 8* tenor saxophone mouthpiece from SYOS mouthpieces in France.  This is my third SYOS tenor saxophone mouthpiece I will be reviewing today.  I have already reviewed the Chad LB SYOS Signature model mouthpiece for tenor sax and the Tivon Pennicott Signature model mouthpiece for  tenor sax […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Michael Wilbur, Moon Hooch, mouthpiece, review, Signature Model, SYOS, tenor saxophone

SYOS Dayna Stephens Signature Model Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

July 15, 2020 by Steve 14 Comments

Today, I am reviewing the Dayna Stephens signature model 7 soprano saxophone mouthpiece from SYOS mouthpieces in France.  This is my first soprano sax mouthpiece from SYOS that I am reviewing and I have to admit that I am pretty blown away by this Dayna Stephens soprano mouthpiece.   I literally took this mouthpiece out of […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Soprano Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Dayna Stephens, mouthpiece, review, Signature Model, soprano saxophone, SYOS

The Best Saxophone Embouchure: Where’s that Bottom Lip?

June 30, 2020 by Steve 114 Comments

I just completed a new saxophone video lesson entitled “The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson” in which I teach my approach to the saxophone playing embouchure and playing the saxophone.  While working on the sax lesson, I thought it would be a cool idea to search the internet for good photos of […]

Filed Under: Learning at Neffmusic, Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: best, bottom lip, embouchure, mouthpiece, perfect, playing, sax, saxophone

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Testimonials

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

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

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

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
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 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

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
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

Hi Steve,

First, I want to thank you for all of your great lessons. They are like a “For Dummies” version of all the books on my shelf. The lessons break things down into manageable pieces, and give me the confidence that I’m practicing the right pieces. I’m starting to make progress.   Thank You,   Kim

Kim

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
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul
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
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
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
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
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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
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

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

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 want to thank you again, because, not only are you an inspiration to listen to, you are a fine teacher!

I have been teaching sax and other winds for over 20 years, and you give me that “push” to give my students more!

Mark Peotter

Mark Peotter

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.
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 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

Featured Video Lessons

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