JLTP 057: Mastering Jazz Improv, Developing Your Sound, Beginners Guide Part 3

Podcast Episode 60: An Original Swing Tune in the Key of C 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. What You Will Learn: How to swing: Learn how to approach a medium swing feel and apply it while playing the melody and improvising. Practice your reading: Use the original melody and written solo to improve your jazz reading skills. Recognize diatonic chord changes: Learn how multiple chord changes can all come from the C major scale and its seven modes. Improvise using one scale: Discover how the C major scale can be used to improvise over the entire tune while understanding how each chord relates to the scale. Navigate minor ii–V–I changes: Learn an easy tip for improvising over minor ii–V–I chord progressions at a comfortable medium-swing tempo. Play-Along & Performance 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 🎺 A trumpet solo version 🎺 A trumpet duet arrangement 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! ✅Subscribe to my newsletter by clicking the title and receive my free ebook “11 Scales For Jazz Improvisation”; 

🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of “The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast”, I explore the emotional “colors” of chords—major, minor, diminished, and augmented. Learn how to hear each chord by its intervals and emotional quality. A perfect guide for trumpet players building their ear training skills! 🧠 Key Topics: Major chords: bright and happy (C–E–G) Minor chords: introspective and cool (C–Eb–G) Diminished chords: tense and spooky (C–Eb–Gb) Augmented chords: dreamy and mysterious (C–E–G#) Importance of recognizing major and minor 3rds 📌 Previous Episode Reference:Be sure to revisit the last episode (JLTP 058-) where we covered interval recognition by ear—it’s foundational for today’s content! You can find Episode 58 here; https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/jltp-058-music-theory-basics-part-1-intervals/ 🎺 Practice Challenge:Build and compare C major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords. Notice the emotional difference. ✅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

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; How to play 2, 3, and 4 note phrases How to create rhythmic variety using short phrases How to use chord tones to build harmonic clarity 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; The notes in a ii V I chord progression in C Major and the scales that go with the chords Dorian and Mixolydian modes in C An easy “short” ii V I lick in C What a digital pattern is 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/ Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jefflewis6519/ 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; Three different levels of improvisation from beginning to advanced Which scales to use over all of the chords from easy to difficult Melodic minor, harmonic minor, diminished, and altered scale harmony Download the free color-coded PDFs for all instruments below and follow along with the 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 https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/C-Major-Play-Along.wav 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 https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/C-Minor-Play-Along.wav 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 https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Blues-Simple.wav   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; The benefits of practicing short 10-minute sessions at a time What and how to practice for 10 minutes Why resting as much as you play is important 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; “27 Groups of Exercises” by Earl Irons “Advanced Lip Flexibilities” by Charles Colin “Arbans Complete Method for Trumpet” by John Baptiste Arban “Daily Drills for Trumpet” by Max Schlossberg 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; What scales to use over the A section A scale “workout’ to become familiar with improvising use the notes from the two scales Harmonic generalization 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;  

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over how to practice ii-V7-I Licks. In this particular episode, you will learn; What a ii-V7-I lick is Why they are important How to practice ii-V7-I licks An easy ii-V7-I lick to play in all 12 keys Download the Easy ii-V7-I Lick here; My favorite ii-V7-I books for practicing licks in all 12 keys; Jamey Aebersold, Volume 3, The ii-V7-I Chord Progression Melodic Shapes for the Modern Improvisor Hip Licks for Trumpet by Greg Fishman 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 allow me to continue to make podcasts like this. Thank you for the support!