Based on the method of spin echo phonon focusing neutron spectrometers combining neutron spin echo (NSE) and three axis spectroscopy (TAS) techniques allow for the first time to measure linewidths of dispersing excitations, including both phonons and magnons, over the entire Brillouin zone. The basic principles of spin echo phonon focusing and its realization will be presented. As an example the results for the measurement of the phonon linewidth of solid lead obtained by NRSE-TAS are discussed.