Perhaps one of the most recognized American jazz standards is “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi, a San Francisco native, jazz pianist and composer. Almost everyone has heard the theme, even if they can’t name the composer or don’t know the work’s origin.
Written two years earlier for a documentary about Charles M. Schulz and his Peanuts crew, “Linus and Lucy” gained popularity in 1965 when it was used in the soundtrack to “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Through the decades the signature Peanuts theme has become popular at Christmas-time and the holidays, and is a favorite to play on the piano for many musicians.
In reference to the Peanuts specials, jazz pianist David Benoit explained, “That was the first time that jazz piano has been used in animation, which helped make it a really groundbreaking show. I agree with a lot of people who believe that a big part of the success of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ was Vince’s music.”
A jazz instrumental with piano at the forefront, “Linus and Lucy” is high energy and uplifting. A fun fact is that it was the wake-up tune to motivate the crew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Written in the key of A-flat major, the piece opens with a catchy left-hand piano riff that flows to a syncopated rhythm and up-beat tempo. The riff see-saws around an E-flat note that is flanked by a lower A-flat with an alternating higher octave and sixth. The repetitive groove in the left hand alone makes one want to jump up and dance.
The right-hand melody breezily steps up and down with a series of harmonic intervals: sixths, fifths and thirds. It smoothly locks in to the left hand’s jazzy syncopated beat. I can just see Snoopy gliding along the dance floor as Schroeder hammers away on the piano.
With four flats in the key signature, and a faster tempo, this piece is best learned at a slower pace. It’s helpful to start with the left hand, using the fingering of 5-2-1 for the broken chords and slowly counting out the beats while playing. Remember that the A’s and E’s in the opening riff are flats (the black keys to the left of the white keys).
Once comfortable with the left hand part, slowly add in the right hand, continuing to count aloud so that the hands rhythmically align. Work on just the first four measures of hands together before continuing on. With careful practice at the start, you’ll be able to play with ease and energy later on.
Composer Vince Guaraldi certainly had the gift of infusing joy and enthusiasm into his music and making everyone fall in love, even if just a little, with jazz.
As Dave Ramsey said, “[Guaraldi] had the knack…of melody. He was a thoroughly grounded pianist harmonically, but he wrote terrific melodies — both when he was putting them on paper, and when he was making them up in his improvisations…He was a very intense piano player — he completely committed himself to his solos. He was playing an upward series of arpeggios, and played himself right off the end of the piano bench on to the floor, got up as if nothing had happened, and went back to work, finished the piece.”
If you’re looking for a terrific jazz melody on the piano that will liven up a party or family gathering, this could be the piece for you.