The Jeff Lewis Trumpet Podcast

Podcast Episode 60: An Original Swing Tune in the Key of C

In Episode 60, I compose and perform an original medium-swing jazz tune with multiple chord changes—all in the key of C major.

This tune is designed to demonstrate an important concept in jazz improvisation: you can improvise over the entire song using the C major scale, even though the harmony moves through a variety of different chords and modes.

Throughout the episode, we’ll look at how the chord changes relate to the notes of the C major scale and how understanding the diatonic harmony of C major can make seemingly complicated chord progressions much easier to navigate.

What You Will Learn:

How to swing: Learn how to approach a medium swing feel and apply it while playing the melody and improvising.

Practice your reading: Use the original melody and written solo to improve your jazz reading skills.

Recognize diatonic chord changes: Learn how multiple chord changes can all come from the C major scale and its seven modes.

Improvise using one scale: Discover how the C major scale can be used to improvise over the entire tune while understanding how each chord relates to the scale.

Navigate minor ii–V–I changes: Learn an easy tip for improvising over minor ii–V–I chord progressions at a comfortable medium-swing tempo.

Play-Along & Performance

At the end of the podcast, you’ll hear a play-along version of the original song so you can practice the melody and improvisation yourself.

You’ll also hear:

🎺 Me playing the melody

🎺 A trumpet solo version

🎺 A trumpet duet arrangement

There are also links to free PDFs of the melody, the trumpet solo, and both trumpet parts for the duet, so you can download the music and play along.

Download all of the trumpet parts by clicking this link

This episode is a practical way to see how one key, one major scale, and its diatonic modes can provide the foundation for an entire jazz composition and improvisation.

Grab your trumpet, download the free PDFs, and play along!

✅Subscribe to my newsletter by clicking the title and receive my free ebook “11 Scales For Jazz Improvisation”;

🎧 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 (C–Eb–G)

Diminished chords: tense and spooky (C–Eb–Gb)

Augmented chords: dreamy and mysterious (C–E–G#)

Importance of recognizing major and minor 3rds

📌 Previous Episode Reference:Be sure to revisit the last episode (JLTP 058-) where we covered interval recognition by ear—it’s foundational for today’s content!

You can find Episode 58 here;

https://www.jefflewistrumpet.com/jltp-058-music-theory-basics-part-1-intervals/

🎺 Practice Challenge:Build and compare C major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords. Notice the emotional difference.

✅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

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”

Parts 1 and 2 from this Basic Improv series

Louis Armstrong’s version of Dinah on YouTube, 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

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

 

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Website; https://www.JeffLewisTrumpet.com

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Podcast on iTunes; https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jeff-lewis-trumpet-podcast/id1333984769?mt=2&at=1000lHQ6