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Hi! I am Steve Neff

I have been playing and teaching saxophone and jazz improvisation around the New England area for the last 30+ years. I love teaching and anything to do with the saxophone. I hope you find this website helpful in your musical journey. Thanks, Steve

Westcoast Sax MOAM .110 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

April 25, 2018 by Steve 9 Comments

Today, I am reviewing another Westcoast Sax “MOAM” tenor saxophone mouthpiece. A few months ago, I reviewed an unplated .105 tip opening MOAM. Matt said he would send me a plated model of the MOAM when they were finished and I asked if I could get the .110 tip opening.  I wasn’t planning on doing […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: MOAM, review, saxophone mouthpiece, tenor sax, westcoast sax

Pete Christlieb Swingin’ Tenor Sax Solo Transcription-“Limehouse Blues”

April 24, 2018 by Steve 7 Comments

For todays transcription, I need to give you a little bit backstory so bear with me for a second.  I started playing the saxophone in 7th grade.  I was your average kid who was excited about playing the sax but not really sure how serious I was or where this new hobby would take me. […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: jazz sax, Limehouse Blues, Pete Christlieb, tenor saxophone, transcription

Danny Walsh Tenor Sax Solo Transcription on “A Weaver of Dreams”

April 23, 2018 by Steve 7 Comments

Here’s another great saxophone solo transcription from a Youtube video that I started working on last week.   This is another great solo from the terrific NYC tenor sax player, Danny Walsh on the tune “A Weaver of Dreams”.  (I’ve already transcribed a couple other solos by Danny if you want to check those out also…..) Danny […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: A Weaver of Dreams, Danny Walsh, jazz saxophone, solo transcription, tenor sax

Michael Brecker “Happy Days” Tenor Sax Solo Transcription

April 18, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

Here is another great solo transcription of Michael Brecker on the McCoy Tyner tune “Happy Days” from the album “Infinity”.  This has been on my transcription list for many years now and this morning I thought I would hammer away at it and finally finish it. I remember when this album came out, I was […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Happy Days, Infinity, McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker, sax solo, tenor sax, transcription

Joel Frahm “Aguas De Março” Tenor Sax Solo Transcription

April 17, 2018 by Steve 21 Comments

Here’s another beautiful solo by the great tenor saxophone player, Joel Frahm.  Joel has commented on neffmusic.com quite a few times over the years and his passion for everything to do with the saxophone is very obvious. This youtube video is one of my all time favorites.  It is the tune “Aguas De Março” (Waters of […]

Filed Under: Transcriptions Tagged With: Aguas De Marco, jazz sax, Joel Frahm, Sant Andreu Jazz Band, solo, tenor saxophone, transcription, Waters of March

Boston Sax Shop Signature Reed Cases

March 28, 2018 by Steve 3 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a beautiful new product I received with a reed order from Jack Tyler at the Boston Sax Shop.  Last week,  I ordered some new reeds to try from Jack and when the package came, I opened it to discover this added gem inside.  This is the Boston Sax Shop signature reed […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: Boston Sax Shop, BSS, reed case, reed holder, reeds, review, storage

The Sonny Rollins Omnibook Review

March 27, 2018 by Steve 4 Comments

*I posted all the recordings I could find on Youtube that go with this transcription book at the bottom of this review………Enjoy! My first recording of Sonny Rollins that I heard as a teenager was “Saxophone Colossus”.  I checked it out of the local library. I didn’t play tenor saxophone back then but I was […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Bb instruments, jazz sax, Omnibook, solos, Sonny Rollins, tenor saxophone, Transcriptions

NEW Book-Mastering the Minor ii-7b5 V7b9 Bebop Scale

March 23, 2018 by Steve Leave a Comment

“Mastering the Minor ii-7b5 V7b9 Bebop Scale” is a new approach to learning to play great jazz lines over a minor ii-V progression.  If you have worked out of my “Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale” book, you know that the bebop scale and the “bebop links” that can be added to it can be a […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: bebop scale, Jazz Improvisation, jazz method, licks, minor ii-7b5 V7b9, patterns, steve neff

Great Instructional Video on Intonation by Michael Lake

March 7, 2018 by Steve 2 Comments

Michael Lake over at altobone.com put out a video on youtube this week on intonation that I think is excellent!   Michael is not a sax player, (he plays alto trombone….I know, “How dare you Steve, this is a saxophone site!!“) but his thoughts on intonation in this video are right on. Every note you play on […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: instructional video, intonation, Michael Lake, playing music, trombone, tuning

Great Rick Beato Interview with Chris Potter

March 6, 2018 by Steve Leave a Comment

I just came across this great interview that Rick Beato did with Chris Potter on Sounding Off a few days ago.  Chris Potter is one of the most amazing sax players on the scene today.  I love how down to earth, humble and real he is when answering questions.  Great stuff!   Enjoy! Great Rick Beato […]

Filed Under: Jazz Education Tagged With: chris potter, interview, jazz, Rick Beato, saxophone, Sounding Off, tenor sax

Monster Berg Larsen .170 Tip Opening Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

March 3, 2018 by Steve 73 Comments

Yes,  you read that right!  A .170 tip opening!! That’s a 14 tip opening!  To give you a little bit of a backstory, I received this email the other day from a fan of my site: “Hi Steve, I have a favor to ask of you, if you can fit it in to your schedule. […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: berg larsen, huge tip opening, monster, mouthpiece review, sound clip, tenor saxophone

10mFan “The Classic” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

February 12, 2018 by Steve 18 Comments

Mark Sepinuck, 10mFan as he is known in the saxophone world, came out with a line of tenor saxophone mouthpieces five years ago that have been very popular with saxophone players.  Mark, created a very detailed three category system of tenor saxophone mouthpieces and he designed  what he considered to be the best tenor sax […]

Filed Under: Mouthpiece Reviews, Tenor Medium Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: 10mFan, classic, otto link, review, sax mouthpiece, saxophone, slant

Balam Saxophone Backstrap Comparison and Review

January 10, 2018 by Steve 24 Comments

Today, I am reviewing a new saxophone neckstrap that I received from my saxophone repairman Jack Tyler at the Boston Sax Shop.  Jack has been my sax repairman since 2013 when my long time repairman Ernie Sola died.  The last 3-4 times I went in to see Ernie before he died he told me about […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: backstrap, Balam, best, Boston Sax Shop, comparison, Hyman, Just Joe's, neckstrap, review, Saxholder, saxophone

Improved Selmer Saxophone Model Chart

January 9, 2018 by Steve 31 Comments

Here is a cool chart of the serial numbers and models of Selmer Saxophones through the last 100 years.  This chart was researched by Douglas Pipher  and shared on SOTW today.  The cool aspect of this chart that I have never seen before is that Douglas has included the quantities of each type of sax […]

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: chart, Douglas Pipher, history, saxophone, selmer, serial numbers

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Testimonials

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 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
I’m an experienced player in the pop/soul/funk areas of music and, previously, classical.  Over the decades I’ve been playing, I’ve always felt that I could do what I needed in those styles of music.  However, recently I began to feel limited by my use of the same old licks. When I discovered Steve Neff’s website, and heard the audio examples based on the exercises in his books, I realized they were what I needed.  I purchased all of them and have been working on them since.  It’s very hard work… Read more
Paul

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

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 have NEVER seen material like yours.  Amazing!!
Jerry
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
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

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
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
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!
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 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
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
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
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

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, My name is Jason Freese and I play keyboards and sax in the band Green Day.  I grew up taking sax lessons from Eric Marienthal when I was a kid and got out of it for a long time. I ran into you on youtube while searching for sax stuff. I bought a whole bunch of your lessons and have been loving it! Thanks! Here is my wikipedia so you can see the albums I’ve played on….Thanks again. It’s sparked my interest in practicing again.   Jason
Jason Freese (sax player for Green Day)
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 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
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella

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
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

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