The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast

In Episode 60, I compose and perform an original medium-swing jazz tune with multiple chord changes—all in the key of C major.

This tune is designed to demonstrate an important concept in jazz improvisation: you can improvise over the entire song using the C major scale, even though the harmony moves through a variety of different chords and modes.

Throughout the episode, we’ll look at how the chord changes relate to the notes of the C major scale and how understanding the diatonic harmony of C major can make seemingly complicated chord progressions much easier to navigate.

At the end of the podcast, you’ll hear a play-along version of the original song so you can practice the melody and improvisation yourself.

You’ll also hear:

🎺 Me playing the melody

There are also links to free PDFs of the melody, the trumpet solo, and both trumpet parts for the duet, so you can download the music and play along.

Download all of the trumpet parts by clicking this link

This episode is a practical way to see how one key, one major scale, and its diatonic modes can provide the foundation for an entire jazz composition and improvisation.

Grab your trumpet, download the free PDFs, and play along!

https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/jltp-058-music-theory-basics-part-1-intervals/

In Episode 58 of “The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast”, I break down one of the most essential skills for any trumpet player or musician—how to recognize musical intervals by ear, eye, and on your instrument. Learn how intervals work, why they matter, and how to identify them using classic songs, piano examples, and trumpet-focused exercises that will strengthen your ear, improve your improvisation, and sharpen your reading. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned brass player, this episode will help you level up your musicianship.

Be sure to stick around till the end so you can test your ear and try to identify the interval examples!

In this episode, you will learn;

🎵 What musical intervals are and why they’re essential for trumpet players

👂 How to recognize intervals by ear using well-known songs

🎹 How to hear and visualize intervals on piano and apply them to trumpet

🎺 How different intervals feel on the trumpet in terms of valve combinations and embouchure

🎶 Song examples that help lock in each interval (e.g., “Jaws” for minor 2nd, “Happy Birthday” for major 2nd)

🎧 Ear training tips and tricks to improve your listening and transcribing skills

🗣️ The power of singing intervals to internalize them before playing

✅Subscribe to my newsletter and receive my free ebook “11 Scales For Jazz Improvisation”; https://jefflewistrumpet.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9f983684beb3f44b8e9335b5a&id=68f0f3e626

✅Patreon; https://www.patreon.com/JeffLewisTrumpet

✅Website; https://www.JeffLewisTrumpet.com

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I discuss an easy way to develop your sound by using rhythmic variety in your solos.

In this particular episode, you will learn;

Items mentioned in this podcast;

Blue Mitchell’s solo on “I’ll Close My Eyes”

Parts 1 and 2 from this Basic Improv series

Louis Armstrong’s version of Dinah on YouTube, where he uses a two-note “theme” to develop an entire solo;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhVdLd43bDI

My Descending Dominant 7 chord play-along track on YouTube;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH7SjaYlOUg

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I review the importance of the ii V I chord progression, how to apply scales to that progression, and an easy ii V I lick in all 12 keys.

Stick around until the end of the podcast, grab your horn, and let’s trade 4’s in the Key of C!

In this particular episode, you will learn;

An easy ii V I lick in all 12 keys

Patreon; https://www.patreon.com/JeffLewisTrumpet

Website; https://www.JeffLewisTrumpet.com

Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/JeffLewisTrumpet/

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Podcast on iTunes; https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jeff-lewis-trumpet-podcast/id1333984769?mt=2&at=1000lHQ6

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over how to improvise over the jazz classic “Blue Bossa” for beginning, intermediate, and advanced players.

In this episode you will learn;

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I break down the essentials of jazz improvisation starting with the foundation, learning scales.

Part 1: The Foundation – Learning Scales

To start with jazz improvisation, you must first be comfortable with your scales. Jazz relies heavily on modes, especially the **Major Scale**, **Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian mode)**, and the **Blues Scale**. If you’re just starting, the **C major scale** is a great place to begin, as it has no sharps or flats.

Pick up your trumpet and play the C major scale. Here’s the pattern:

 **C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C**

Be sure to practice independently with the backing tracks I have provided for all my podcast listeners.

Here are all the scales used in this podcast

C Major play-along

Once you’re comfortable, you can move on to the **C minor scale**:

**C, D, E-flat, F, G, A-flat, B-flat, C**

This is an E flat, major scale starting from C, otherwise known as the C natural minor scale or the Aeolian mode.

Now practice improvising in C minor.

C minor play-along

Now let’s trade fours in the key of C Minor

And finally, try the **C blues scale**, which is very important in jazz:

– **C, E-flat, F, G-flat, G, B-flat, C**

Practice improvising only using the blues scale over this 12-bar blues.

12-bar blues in C

These scales provide the groundwork for your improvisation, so practice them slowly at first, then increase your speed as you become more comfortable.

In this episode of “The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast”, I review the benefits of a 10-minute practice session.

In this particular episode, you will learn;

Download the free PDF of the “10 Minute Practice Session” here;

You can also use my YouTube video in your warm-up session for mouthpiece buzzing and free lip buzzing here;

Trumpet lip and mouthpiece buzzing exercise #1

Other books mentioned in this podcast that you can use to practice your fundamentals during your 10-minute practice session;

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission if you click on one of the product links. It will not cost you more money, but it will support the channel and allows me to continue to make podcasts like this. Thank you for the support!

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over how to improvise over the A section of the jazz classic “All The Things You Are”.

In this particular episode, you will learn;

If you want more tutorials, PDF worksheets, in-depth analysis of ii V I chord progressions, jazz play-alongs, how to improvise on “All The Things You Are”, and more, check out my NEW Patreon channel here;

https://www.patreon.com/JeffLewisTrumpet

Use this color-coded free PDF to follow along;

Use this scale workout sheet to become more familiar with improvising in these two keys;

Listen to my solo on YouTube on “All The Things You Are” and download the free PDF here;