The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast

 In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast , we talk to trumpet player and educator James Blackwell.  James is a GRAMMY award-winning trumpet player for his work on the jazz albums of Clare Fischer, Bob Mintzer, and the University of North Texas One O’clock Lab Band.  Apart from his work as a jazz lead player, James has performed as the lead trumpet player with the Brian Setzer Orchestra s...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about how finding a mentor can greatly increase your chances of success as a trumpet player. In this particular episode, you will learn; The differences between a mentor and a teacher How asking the right questions can jump start your trumpet progress Tips on how to find the best teacher How now is the best time to study with anyone from ar...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about what my trumpet goals are for 2021, how I plan on implementing them, and how this may help you in coming up with a plan for improving your playing as well. In this particular episode, you will learn; How practicing first thing in the morning can be your key to improving fast How to organize your practice session How I organize my 3-ho...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about how learning the lyrics of a song will help you become a better musician. In this particular episode, you will learn; Why it’s important to learn the lyrics of a song Who to listen to for melodic interpretation How learning different versions of songs can help you learn in multiple keys Why learning the lyrics can help you with...

In this session of The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over how I use a trumpet journal to be more efficient and organized about my daily practice. Downloadable Trumpet Practice Log available for free here In this particular episode, you will learn; The benefits of keeping a trumpet practice journal/diary/log How to keep a journal How to organize your daily practice routine for maximum efficiency...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis tropic podcast, I show you how to play “outside” of the chord changes using a mode of the melodic minor scale. In this particular episode you will learn; What a “jazz” melodic minor scale is. What an altered scale is What a super locrian scale is What a diminished whole tone scale is What chords to use the altered scale over to play outside...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I go over the two types of diminished scales for improvisation, how to learn them, and how to apply them. In this episode, you will learn; The two types of diminished scales for improvisation What a diminished chord is How to practice diminished scales How to apply diminished scales to chords Items and links mentioned in this podcast; The Jazz The...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about the concept of delayed gratification when it comes to improvement while practicing your trumpet. In this episode, I talk about; My experience with the Carmine Caruso method Why I keep a trumpet journal The concept of how long it takes to improve on the trumpet How trumpet playing can be frustrating because it takes so long to improve...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about the benefits of lip buzzing, how it can lead to proper lip and playing formation, and how it can cure the problem of puffy cheeks when playing. Also, I go over a free lip buzzing exercise and play along (which can also be played on the mouthpiece) available on my website. Download the free pdf of the “Lip Buzzing Exercise”...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast, I talk about the concept of quality practice over quantity and paying attention to not only the musical aspects of your playing but also the physical. In this particular episode you will learn; How practicing longer is not always better. How to pay attention to the physical aspects of your playing in order to manipulate your sound. Staying engaged...

In this podcast, I talk about 5 easy jazz standards you can learn to practice jazz improvisation if you are just starting out. Links mentioned in this podcast; “Listen, Sing, Play” , a free ebook on how to learn a song by ear. “Playing The Changes” , an easy step by step guide to playing Miles Davis’ jazz standard “Solar”. “The Real Book, Sixth Editi...

Learn how to improvise over a Jazz Standard. New companion eBook for this episode  “Playing The Changes-for Trumpet” In this episode, you will learn; A step by step guide on how to learn a jazz standard How to use the I Real Pro app to help you learn jazz standards Scale patterns that will help you improvise What “Harmonic generalization” is and how to use it to simplify th...

In this session, I talk about how to improve your trumpet playing by resting more frequently in between your practice sessions. 27 Groups of Exercises for Trumpet by Earl D. Irons Warm-ups & Studies for Trumpet and Other Brass Instruments by James Stamp In this episode I offer suggestions on; How to not practice “tired” How to rest as much as you play How to use your rest time effi...

In this podcast I go over what sus, or suspended,  (D9sus, etc.) chords are and how to improvise over them using major pentatonic scales. Links; Pentatonic scale worksheet pdf Easy Jazz Trumpet solo using pentatonic scales pdf YouTube play along used in this podcast Easy Jazz Trumpet solo play along on YouTube Free ebook “11 Scales for Jazz Improvisation” with all pentatonic scales use...

In this session of the Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast I talk about how to practice improvising by playing and practicing only the chord tones first. Items mentioned in this podcast; “20 Steps To Better Jazz Improvisation for Trumpet” I Real Pro play along app In this episode you will learn A step by step process on how to learn new tunes Playing and memorizing chord changes How to practice...

This episode is about how to use altered scales for jazz improvisation. Items mentioned in this podcast; The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine In this episode you will learn; What an altered scale is How to apply altered scales What chords to use the altered scale over Why altered scales are simply jazz melodic minor scales (locrian mode) DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which...

How I learn jazz songs, and other genres, by ear, step by step. Download the FREE companion ebook to this podcast “Listen, Sing, Play” here! “The Jazz Theory Book” by Mark Levine “The Jazz Piano Book” by Mark Levine In this episode you will learn: How to identify the roots of the chord by ear How the melody of a song can help you determine chord quality and func...

In this podcast I discuss the seven major scale modes that can be used for jazz improvisation. Links; JLTP 014 natural minor scales (Aeolian mode) Items mentioned in this podcast The Mark Levine Jazz Theory Book The Mark Levine Jazz Piano Book In this episode, you will learn; The 7 major scale modes The chords that are associated with those modes How to apply the appropriate scale mode to the chor...

In this session I talk about what you can do to practice the important things first before you run out of chops and get too tired. In this episode you will learn; How to set up your practice session for success How to pace yourself How long to practice What to practice first, before you start getting tired Items mentioned in this podcast; Arbans Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet H.L. Clarke...

In this episode I go over four tips on how to improve your jazz improvisation skills;  Major. melodic minor, diminished, and whole tone scales and scale patterns.  Learning jazz repertoire  Playing licks/tunes in 12 keys  Transcribing Items mentioned in this podcast The Real Book, 6th Edition in Bb Major Scale Patterns for Jazz Improvisation Tune Up-Miles Davis Quartet Solar- Miles Davis All Stars...

How to learn and memorize your natural minor scales using the sixth mode of the major scale (the aeolian mode).  This is assuming you have all 12 major scales memorized first. In this episode you will learn; what a natural minor scale is the sixth mode of the major scale or aeolian mode. how to think of a natural minor scale how to not memorize scales using only fingering patterns

In this podcast I talk about 15 trumpet embouchure “tweaks” you can apply for better trumpet playing. 1. Faster air!!! 2. Lips rolled in (closed aperture) 3. Lips rolled out (open aperture) 4. Bottom jaw forward 5. Bottom teeth and top teeth aligned evenly 6. Teeth gap (space between top and bottom teeth) 7. Mouthpiece placed left or right of center 8. Mouthpiece placed lower or higher...

In this podcast I talk about using the resource website imslp.org to download the “Arbans Method for Trumpet” (for free!) and how I like to practice certain exercises in a particular order. Links; imslp.org JeffLewisTrumpet.com Items mentioned in this podcast; Arban Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet (New Authentic Edition with Accompaniment and Performance tracks) In this episod...

In this podcast I talk about what didn’t work for me in 2018 and what my trumpet related goals are for 2019. Items mentioned in this podcast; The Daily Practice Log “The Real Way To Play The Cat Anderson Method” trumpet book 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 no...

In this session I talk about how we really teach ourselves how to play the trumpet by using self analysis and trial and error and I also include some common misconceptions.