The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast

🎧 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...

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 im...

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 Cl...

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...

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 scal...

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...

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...

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 workshe...

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 Cho...

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over how to improvise on the Henry Mancini classic “Pink Panther”. This is the solo section only.  It can be found in the second trumpet part in the Big Band composition and arrangement by Henry Mancini.  Be sure to stick around to the end, grab your horn, and let’s trade 2 and 4-measure phrases. Download the companion PDF &...

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; The importance of jaw position when playing the trumpet and how it affects range and sound. My take on the Cat Anderson...

In this episode of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about my embouchure change journey, the resources I used, and a few tips on how to physically and mentally prepare yourself for what to expect. In this episode you will learn; The difference between an embouchure change and an embouchure adjustment How to mentally prepare for a change Resources to help you unlock the key to your best embouc...

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...

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; What types of scales to practice for maximum improvement. 4 things to practice to improve your improvisational skills. Multiple jazz resources. Items mentioned in this podcast; Jamey Aebersold Volume 3 Th...

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; What a Kansas City Blues scale is 10 short phrases, or “licks”, you can play over...

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over different ways of adjusting your embouchure for maximum sound and efficiency, how to be your own best trumpet teacher and a list of suggested books for embouchure development. In this podcast you will learn; Different ways to adjust your embouchure for better sound and efficiency through self-analysis and micro-adjusting List of potentia...

In this episode of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about how using major scale modes to improvise can be an easy way to navigate through many different chord types. In this episode you will learn; What the seven major scale modes are An easy way to remember all seven modes How to apply the major scale modes to multiple types of chords Why using modes to improvise is an easy way to start &#8...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over Chet Baker’s jazz lick on his rendition of “I’ll Remember April”. Download the free PDF of Chet Baker’s jazz lick in all 12 keys here In this particular episode, you will learn; How to swing like Chet Baker How to analyze this solo How to approach practicing jazz licks in all 12 keys Why this solo sounds so...

In this session of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over how to improvise on the jazz standard “I’ll Remember April” using six different major scales.  I also discuss chord theory, scale analysis, and modes used for improvisation. In this particular episode, you will learn; The six major scales you can use to improvise over the entire song. How using major scale modes is one...

In this session of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I review the third step on navigating through minor iib5-V7b9-i chord changes using three different scales. My YouTube tutorial on “Diminished scales and Theory” My YouTube Play-along for “Minor iib5-V7b9-i Chord Changes in All 12 Keys”. Download the free PDFs for “harmonic minor scales” and ” ii7b5-V7b9-i...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about an easy way to navigate through a minor ii7b5-V7b9-i chord progression using two scales. Download Step 1 one of the three-part series here; JLTP 039: ii7b5-V7b9-i Chords/Three Levels of Improvisation (Step 1) In this particular episode, you will learn; What a harmonic minor scale is An easy way to memorize your harmonic minor scales W...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast , I talk about the three levels of improvisation in regards to minor ii7b9 V7b9 i chord progressions. In this podcast episode, you will learn; What a minor ii V I chord progression is. How using the relative Major scale is an easy way to improvise over all 3 chord changes. Why the Major scale works on all three chords. An easy minor ii V i jazz &#8...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over the different scales and chords you can use to improvise over the George Gershwin classic “Summertime”. Items mentioned in this podcast; Drum Genius Mark Levine Jazz Theory Book Major Scale Patterns For Jazz Improvisation E-Book In this particular episode, you will learn; The four scales you can use to improvise over “S...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, you will warm up along with me on your trumpet.  Be sure to download the free PDF of all of the exercises here; www.jefflewistrumpet.com/warm-up-with-me/ Items mentioned in this podcast; Max Schlossberg’s “daily drills and technical studies for trumpet” In this particular episode, you will learn; The exercises I use to warm up Th...

In this podcast, I talk about my lessons with Claude Gordon and offer some tips on how to navigate this 52-week trumpet course written by Claude entitled “The Systematic Approach To Daily Practice”. In this particular episode, you will learn; How to use the pedal note exercises found in the warm-up and range exercises. The other books used in his method. What “anchor” tongu...