The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast

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” [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/blue-mitchells-solo-on-ill-close-my-eyes/] [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ill-Close-My-Eyes.jpg]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/blue-mitchells-solo-on-ill-close-my-eyes/Parts 1 and 2 from this Basic Improv series [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JLTP-054-Jazz-Improv-Basics-Scales1-1.png]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/jltp-054-the-jazz-improv-workshop-mastering-the-basics-scales/ [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/JLTP-056-mastering-jazz-improv-beginners-guide-part-two-.png]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/jltp-056-mastering-jazz-improv-basics-beginners-guide-part-2/ Louis Armstrong’s version of Dinah on YouTube, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhVdLd43bDI]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] 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 [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ii-V7-I-Lick-3-short-12.pdf][https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ii-V7-I-Lick-3-short-12.jpg]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ii-V7-I-Lick-3-short-12.pdf   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. [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1.png]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blues-Bossa-Bb.pdf [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1-1.png]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blue-Bossa-Eb.pdf [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1-2.png]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blue-Bossa-Concert.pdf [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1-3.png]https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blue-Bossa-Bass.pdf

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 [https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jazz-Improv-Basics-scales.png] C Major play-along https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/C-Major-Play-Along.wav [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 [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 [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.