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I do not play jazz but I love charlie brown and would one day like to learn the theme tune. It seems easy as it is repetative.


http://youtu.be/FKkaydihNTM

Peanuts Song Book

Thanks. I never knew Shroeder was such an accompanished pianist lol

http://youtu.be/hdnu8lM7g0A

Hello again, Adultpianist-

The piece you want to learn is entitled "Linus and Lucy." It has short of become a jazz standard as it has been recorded by many well known artists. It was composed by the great Vince Guaraldi. If you purchase "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Piano Solo book, published by Hal Leonard, you will have the music to this and all of the other well know Peanuts tunes, all from "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Sheetmusicplus.com sells it, although I am sure many local places carry it (Sam Ash Music, Guitar Center, etc...). The soundtrack is also available. Vince Guaraldi was very well known and established jazz pianist from the 60's. He had a hit "Cast your fate to the wind". If you heard it I promise you will recognize it (although I 'm not quite sure how old you are, although your exposure to music appears wide).

I sight-read the Peanuts music from this folio. It is also a great tutor for learning jazz, as the transcriptions are note for note from the recording. In addition to playing lalssical, this would be a great compliment to your technique and ear training. Also, you just might fall in love with jazz! (A great thing, in my opinion).

Have fun. Play. Fall in love with it all. It will love you back!

Here are two quick video lessons on how to play the first part of the piece:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tidspc7AYkE

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsXBxesrXtU

It's not as easy (at first) as it looks.... It definitely requires a bit of hand independence.

Each part individually isn't all that hard. The difficulty (and what makes it sound cool) is the dance between the hands. I use it as a great coordination exercise.

By the way, there are a couple mistakes in those videos, mainly in his left hand. The pattern doesn't exactly repeat like he said. He may be simplifying it for the video. It also doesn't swing as he says, it's straight eighths (listen to the drummer on the recording). The first eighth note in the pattern is anticipated (played a half beat early), giving it that cool sound. Just don't want anyone to get confused.

I encourage all my students to go through this song painfully slow at first, focusing on not only what notes the hands are playing, but also when the hands play together and when they have notes by themselves. This helps you master the rhythm and the playfulness between the hands.

So thinking in the eighth note rhythm, the first line would be: A-Both Hands B-Bottom T-Top
A-A-A-B-A-A-T-B | A-B-B-A-B-B-Hold-A | etc...

Hope that makes sense. Easier to explain in person than to type out.

Also, if you just want that song, you can get the sheet music instantly at musicnotes.com.