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.