Beginning Trumpet Improvisation

This 13-minute video offers improvisation ideas for beginning jazz students. Although the presenter, Allen Johnson, is a trumpet player, the ideas could apply to any instrumentalist.
Allen's approach is to simply "decorate" the melody line.
Allen can always be reached at allenjohnsonmail@gmail.com.

Пікірлер: 110

  • @kevinabbott6339
    @kevinabbott63397 жыл бұрын

    Many thanks for a straight forward no nonsense explanation. Easily understood and retained

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome. Happy to help. If we can't share what we know (even if it is limited), it's like requiring people to reinvent fire.

  • @clivefynn9991

    @clivefynn9991

    Жыл бұрын

    you make me feel at ease i agreed to every thing you said marvelous teacher

  • @parkerjohnstone7399
    @parkerjohnstone73996 жыл бұрын

    You have an excellent teaching manner. Thank you for taking the time to share with the horn community.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    So glad to help. Thanks for the kind words.

  • @luisbehnke4559
    @luisbehnke45594 жыл бұрын

    I think you have a special talent for teaching. Even though i have experience in playing Jazz i loved the ideas you tought me. I think you dont play as accurate as some famous artists but you have the skill to teach and thats worth a lot. Thanks a lot for the great lesson.

  • @paulgrimm6850
    @paulgrimm68502 жыл бұрын

    That little horn has a great tone. Love that tune

  • @Herehear49
    @Herehear496 жыл бұрын

    Sweet, lovely and lyrical! This is the way my dad sounded when he got a chance to practice down in the basement. That sound spoke to me then and it still does many years later. Nice, practical advice here! Thank you!

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Pat Gannon, I love this comment. Music should be passed on from generation to generation.

  • @richardoliver1303

    @richardoliver1303

    Жыл бұрын

    You are a master trumpeter

  • @weebweeb5505
    @weebweeb55053 жыл бұрын

    I took a jazz class this year (last year I think is more like it. I'm going to be a senior this year), and we had to do a lot of improvisation on different soundtracks and different keys I believe. I would always be nervous and just chicken out because improvisation is one of my weak points. I don't know how to improvise, and I'm not confident in myself. I would also play the wrong notes and it'll sound off. It was to the point where I would either make excuses or just play whole notes the whole time, and ik that's kinda boring but idk how to improvise. The point of this comment is that thanks to you, I might look into learning how to improvise again. I'm kinda nervous though but I'll give it a try! Thank you for this tutorial kind sir. I really appreciate it, and others do as well.

  • @joaquinrodas4742
    @joaquinrodas47423 жыл бұрын

    i’ve been trying to get better at improv for a while now on the trumpet, and this helped out a lot, thank you

  • @bernhardtmitdt2586
    @bernhardtmitdt25863 жыл бұрын

    All the scale noodlers out there should watch this video ;-) Good approach, thank you!

  • @golf4funjn532
    @golf4funjn5327 жыл бұрын

    Great video, Allen! This will be very helpful in my ongoing attempt to learn to improvise. Thanks for posting!

  • @nrcg2317
    @nrcg23176 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful lesson, Mr. Johnson. I have much to learn. Thank you!

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    But it is the learning that is fun. Keep playing!

  • @ericlongfordjessop743
    @ericlongfordjessop7434 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Allen . Great tips! Very clear instructions. Invaluable!

  • @gaetanogugliotta9819
    @gaetanogugliotta98194 жыл бұрын

    Grazie Allen!!! I love your musical ideas very clear and for a not very technical player like myself it still gives me hope of being able to improvise a little over a jazz classic!!! Isolation is no fun but at least I can practice all your ideas!!!! Stay safe and thank you for all your efforts!

  • @edwardpenrose1846
    @edwardpenrose18462 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Allen, great video.

  • @caroljohnson8817
    @caroljohnson88176 жыл бұрын

    I really like how you break it down and show how we can analyze the solo and plan what will happen in your statement. You make sense and it’s analytical. Thank you!

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Carol, you are welcome. Thanks for watching.

  • @mathieugallard4032
    @mathieugallard4032 Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful, thanks for this classic.

  • @jamesjohnson2238
    @jamesjohnson2238Ай бұрын

    Love it!!!!🎺

  • @dq7143
    @dq71436 жыл бұрын

    Love the way you finished your instruction.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. It's all about having fun.

  • @stephenhill6003
    @stephenhill60036 жыл бұрын

    Thanks. This makes improvisation very approachable for a beginner.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Then I am happy I made it. Thanks.

  • @siegfriedwifling9992
    @siegfriedwifling99925 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much... simple and easy advice with a great effect appreciate that...🎺😌

  • @anthonycarbonaro7890
    @anthonycarbonaro78903 жыл бұрын

    Very excellent presentation. Thank You 🙏

  • @gstlb
    @gstlb Жыл бұрын

    You are a multitalented person, I hope you enjoy your level of excellence and understanding

  • @jeffersontrovao78
    @jeffersontrovao786 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful instrument

  • @cookiesncream25
    @cookiesncream253 жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot for sharing sir. Stay safe and healthy. 🍀🎺

  • @mervynmenezes1400
    @mervynmenezes14004 жыл бұрын

    Allen, thanks for the excellent tips in starting improvisation. Great start for beginners. One suggestion for improving the video is to show the sheet music when you are demonstrating your idea. We can relate immediately. Well done!

  • @user-ho4jg3jt8q
    @user-ho4jg3jt8q7 жыл бұрын

    Really usefull, thanks!

  • @pauldance7387
    @pauldance73875 жыл бұрын

    Cool ideas ...I like the scale idea approaching the destination... I’ll experiment with all of them ....thank you so much👍🎺

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Paul Dance, that's the idea. Playing around with the ideas is the thing to do for sure.

  • @cooganbeggs4942
    @cooganbeggs49424 жыл бұрын

    thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! these are fantastic ideas to help us get started 👏 you have a beautiful tone on that little pocket trumpet. I have one as well but its just a cheapy but I love it ...and great for traveling!

  • @dealer205
    @dealer2054 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! You opened up my mind to better improve!

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sam, if it helped, I'm delighted. Thanks. And keep playing. Allen

  • @clivefynn9991
    @clivefynn9991 Жыл бұрын

    you make perfect sence sir I truly understand ,you just play around i like that you a fun guy cheers

  • @lorismirri8249
    @lorismirri824910 ай бұрын

    very suggestive sound , thank You

  • @ChildOfKingJesus57
    @ChildOfKingJesus574 жыл бұрын

    Excellet you helped me a lot! Thank you!!! God bless you!

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    What a sweet note. Thanks a bunch! Allen

  • @isaiassilvacortes108
    @isaiassilvacortes10810 ай бұрын

    Loved your video man🔥👌

  • @Ginny2708
    @Ginny27086 жыл бұрын

    Could never ‘get it’ before this. Still probably can’t improvise, but way more attainable after these ten ideas.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Just keep playing around with ideas.

  • @ericgarcia1520
    @ericgarcia15204 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful 👍🏻

  • @ianx5407
    @ianx54074 жыл бұрын

    Thank you from Italy

  • @andrewnahnichuk6300
    @andrewnahnichuk63006 жыл бұрын

    Thanks alot!

  • @shophar
    @shophar2 күн бұрын

    Louis Armstrong is the King of lyrical improvisation.

  • @ninakim7282
    @ninakim72829 ай бұрын

    Great.

  • @paulgrimm
    @paulgrimm2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Allen . I’m a comeback player at 68.

  • @LEMONZEBRA554
    @LEMONZEBRA5544 жыл бұрын

    I’m a classical trumpet player but I want to learn other styles because the more styles I know the more it will all help my Classical playing

  • @agnusize
    @agnusize4 жыл бұрын

    Good!

  • @joandaunis5958
    @joandaunis59586 жыл бұрын

    Maestro , where is idea number 4 ?

  • @urwetdream5853
    @urwetdream58536 жыл бұрын

    helped a lot!!!!

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Cool!

  • @olisielteixeira5562
    @olisielteixeira55625 жыл бұрын

    Muito bom !!

  • @isaacaugustine2364
    @isaacaugustine23646 ай бұрын

    Thanks bro

  • @freiretrompete1174
    @freiretrompete11746 жыл бұрын

    👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

  • @gstlb
    @gstlb Жыл бұрын

    Your video is very nice. Can you share what equipment you use?

  • @escalantechiropractichr3455
    @escalantechiropractichr34552 жыл бұрын

    How do you know when you should tongue or when you should slur?... when reading music and trying to improvise on a melody,

  • @topper3348
    @topper33486 жыл бұрын

    I would have gotten so much more from this if you had done the demo while we, the audience, were able to see the music you were improvising from. It would have come together nicely. You did it on "idea 4" and on one other for part of the demo. It was very helpful though. Thanks!

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Good point.

  • @richardwadd9769
    @richardwadd97694 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Allen, great stuff.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know.

  • @richardwadd9769

    @richardwadd9769

    4 жыл бұрын

    Allen Johnson as I’m not much good at improv, it would be good if you showed the notes for what you were actually playing. Cheers

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@richardwadd9769, I certainly understand your point. And it would make it a better video. Unfortunately, I'm hardly an educated musician. I work more by ear than by notes. I simply try to reproduce the notes I hear in my head. I might be able to transcribe the notes I play but it would be like pulling teeth for me. Do keep playing. I think as you continue to play you will begin to replicate the notes you hear as well.

  • @richardwadd9769

    @richardwadd9769

    4 жыл бұрын

    Allen Johnson thanks Allen. Yeah, if you’ve got the ear for it you’re best going with that. Your ideas have been very helpful though. Btw I’ve got a carolbrass pocket trumpet with a bent bell. Keep tootin’!

  • @user-ed4jb3in8p
    @user-ed4jb3in8p11 ай бұрын

    👍👍👍🎺🎺🎺⭐️

  • @JoloraB
    @JoloraB4 жыл бұрын

    Allen, I just bought the exact same CarolBrass CPT-3000-GSS-SL, and I can't help noticing that you appear to have the same issue with the horn that I am experiencing: the horn collects water like a toilet tank! Being the only pocket trumpet I've ever played, I can believe it is common to just about all such horns. Any suggestions? (I love practicing on the 3000; its like swinging a bat with weight rings on it before going up to the plate. My regular horn seems much more free-blowing afterwards!)

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    Joe, yep, I had the same problem. I ended up having the CarolBrass distributor order a second valve slide with a spit valve. He was very helpful and very knowledgeable. If you would like his contact info, give me a call at 509-627-3000.

  • @muopmuopmuopmuop
    @muopmuopmuopmuop5 жыл бұрын

    I am your 1k th subcriber

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    Really. I had no idea. I hope you are playing.

  • @probconn2591
    @probconn2591 Жыл бұрын

    What's the song at the beginning of the video

  • @punkeratthecasbah2114
    @punkeratthecasbah21146 жыл бұрын

    What do you call that tiny trumpet? I'm want to take up the instrument and i think i would have a much easier time caring that around and playing possibly in public. Thx for the video, i saved and will be trying to learn soon hopefully on a very similar style trumpet.

  • @octoX7

    @octoX7

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thomas Burgin It is called a pocket trumpet, you can order all kinds of them online, from cheap to expensive.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    It's called a pocket trumpet. It is made by Carol Brass, model CPT 3000.

  • @MikeKoss
    @MikeKoss5 жыл бұрын

    What about use of pentatonic (blues) scales in improvisation?

  • @ColinMroczko

    @ColinMroczko

    5 жыл бұрын

    That works too. This is more about improvising off of a melody.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sure. Use whatever works for you.

  • @SmeeUncleJoe
    @SmeeUncleJoe5 жыл бұрын

    I'm thinking you meant CPT 3000 NOT GPT 3000 for model numbers.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    Joe, you are right. The model number on the Carol Brass pocket trumpet is, indeed, CPT 3000. Thanks for catching the error.

  • @morganeconessa7567
    @morganeconessa75674 жыл бұрын

    good video, Iwould prefer just one thing, to don't quit the shart during explaining the idea. I would prefer to see it During you are playing the complete idea

  • @tobidolle7907
    @tobidolle79073 жыл бұрын

    Phil Collins‘ a CAT, didn’t know!

  • @snakenoise13
    @snakenoise135 жыл бұрын

    Beginning?

  • @madalyngilles7253
    @madalyngilles72532 жыл бұрын

    he’s giving Bob Ross

  • @snatt8965
    @snatt89652 жыл бұрын

    YES HE HAS A POCKET TRUMPET

  • @dimebagstaleypla
    @dimebagstaleypla6 жыл бұрын

    Who is that at the beginning?

  • @dimebagstaleypla

    @dimebagstaleypla

    6 жыл бұрын

    The beginning background song

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    6 жыл бұрын

    The opening is played by Bobby Hackett. He played with Glen Miller and Benny Goodman in the 40s. Very melodic. Search his name on youtube, and you will be treated to a slew of recordings. I like his numbers from an album called Rendezvous. Unfortunately it is not available on CD, but you can find two cuts on youtube. I'm not crazy about all the albums he made with Jackie Gleason--all the strings are way too syrupy.

  • @dimebagstaleypla

    @dimebagstaleypla

    6 жыл бұрын

    Allen Johnson awesome thanks man! I'm actually just getting into him :)

  • @matiaslerenaclaussen6502

    @matiaslerenaclaussen6502

    5 жыл бұрын

    Its him

  • @matiaslerenaclaussen6502

    @matiaslerenaclaussen6502

    5 жыл бұрын

    ?

  • @edred1911
    @edred19116 жыл бұрын

    What kind of pocket trumpet is that?

  • @SmeeUncleJoe

    @SmeeUncleJoe

    5 жыл бұрын

    See 0.12 credits.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    My pocket trumpet is made by Carol Brass. A fine instrument for a reasonable price.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    5 жыл бұрын

    The model number on the Carol Brass pocket trumpet is CPT3000.

  • @edred1911

    @edred1911

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@familydocumentary thank you

  • @argeancomics3291
    @argeancomics32914 жыл бұрын

    Im just starting on trumpet an , saddly I coudnt get the information correctly. I think this video wuld be MUCH more interesting if the notes played when you improvise were being showd up on the sheet while you perform, like a simple animation doting in red or with an arrow. The way the video was recorded, I just cant "see" wich notes are improvisation and wich is the original printed version. Well, just a hint from a beginner. Thanks anyway.

  • @familydocumentary

    @familydocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the suggestion, although what you are asking for may be beyond my skills as a videographer. That said, it think you are absolutely right with your enhancement idea.

  • @jaimesilva8570
    @jaimesilva85702 жыл бұрын

    Muiyo.bom

  • @elguensdailly5779
    @elguensdailly57795 жыл бұрын

    ...

  • @robertduis6730
    @robertduis67306 жыл бұрын

    Not happy with Idea No. 7.