The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast

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;

Download the companion PDF “cheat sheet”  with the color-coded scales and chords here;

“Pink Panther” color-coded PDF

YouTube play-along/backing track for “Pink Panther”

I use the Jo-Ral copper bubble Harmon mute for this recording.

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. 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 talk about my thoughts on the jaw position when playing the trumpet and how the Cat Anderson “whisper G” may help with jaw awareness, endurance, range, and overall sound. 

In this particular episode, you will learn;

Items mentioned in this podcast;

The Real Way To Play The Cat Anderson Trumpet Method by Geoff Winstead

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. 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 you will learn;

Items mentioned in this podcast;

Embouchure Self-Analysis The Stevens-Costello Embouchure Technique (Complete): William Moriarity

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. 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 an easy way to improvise over the Miles Davis jazz classic “Four”.

Items mentioned in this podcast (click the descriptions for access);

“Major Scale Patterns for Jazz Improvisation” (Free version in C only)

“Major Scale Patterns for Jazz Improvisation” (In all 12 keys)

My jazz play-along/backing track for “Four” on YouTube

In this particular episode, you will learn;

Download the free PDF for the “Four” tutorial here

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over what to practice and how long to practice each topic in order to improve your improvisational skills.

In this episode, you will learn;

Items mentioned in this podcast;

Items mentioned in this podcast from my website;

Jazz Trumpet transcriptions

Jazz Licks in 12 Keys

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. 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 the “Kansas City” blues scale, how to use it, and how it differs from the regular blues scale.

The Blues Shuffle in Bb Concert play-along used in this podcast is available on YouTube here.

In this particular episode, you will learn;

Listen till the end, then grab your horn and play along using all of these “riffs” to create your own melodies.  Use the two blue scales and 10 “licks” provided for you with the free PDF located below.

Download 10 “Kansas City” blues licks here.