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.
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