🎹 About “A Charlie Brown Christmas”:
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a 1965 animated television special based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. In the special, Charlie Brown feels depressed during the holiday season and decides to direct a Christmas play. However, his efforts are met with ridicule from his peers, especially when he chooses a small, real Christmas tree as the centerpiece. Despite initial doubts from producers and network executives, the special received high ratings and critical acclaim upon its debut. It became an annual Christmas tradition, winning an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award. The soundtrack, featuring jazz music by pianist Vince Guaraldi, also became popular. The special’s enduring popularity led to the production of more Peanuts television specials and films.
The soundtrack of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a unique blend of traditional Christmas tunes and jazz, composed mainly by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Producer Lee Mendelson, a jazz enthusiast, discovered Guaraldi’s music after hearing his hit “Cast Your Fate to the Wind” and approached him to create music for the special. Guaraldi composed the iconic theme “Linus and Lucy” and two new pieces, “Skating” and “Christmas Time Is Here,” for the special. The soundtrack also features a choir of children from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church performing songs like “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The recording sessions were conducted in late 1965, and the children were directed by Barry Mineah. The soundtrack was recorded with bassist Fred Marshall and drummer Jerry Granelli, and Guaraldi’s unique jazz compositions contributed significantly to the special’s appeal. The music became a key element of the show, adding a contemporary touch that resonated with audiences of all ages. Guaraldi’s work on the special earned it a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. Mendelson and Guaraldi collaborated closely, ensuring that the music perfectly complemented the scenes in the show, contributing to its timeless appeal.
If you’re looking for more piano solos from the Peanuts cartoons, I’ve got a songbook for you!
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Read all about the Peanuts Favorites songbook here!
1. “Christmas Time Is Here” (Beginner Solo with Duet)
This is a perfect “starter version” presented as a 5-finger beginner solo with optional teacher accompaniment part that adds all the jazzy charm.
🔎 Sheet music sneak peek:
This piece is part of the “First Christmas Pop Solos: Volume 1” songbook for beginners:
2. “Christmas Time Is Here” (Easy Piano)
This version is appropriate for a motivated late beginner or early intermediate student. There’s a lot of repeated patterns and it is only two pages so it isn’t overwhelming yet has all the lush jazzy sounds they desire!
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🔎 Sheet music sneak peek:
This piece is part of the “Easy Christmas Cheer: Volume 2” songbook:
3. “Christmas Time Is Here” (Early Intermediate)
This version is appropriate for students at a solid early intermediate level. Compared to the easy piano version, this one is three pages, has more chord shifts, and adds the iconic “grace notes” in the introduction and throughout. It’s a dazzling showcase solo for holiday recitals!
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🔎 Sheet music sneak peek:
4. “Christmas Time Is Here” (Intermediate)
This version is appropriate for students at a solid intermediate level. It adds walking bass patterns and flowing left-hand patterns to add to the jazzy lushness. This version is slightly longer, adding in a stylized piano solo section similar to the original recording.
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🔎 Sheet music sneak peek:
This piece is part of the “Christmas Cheer: Volume 1” songbook:
5. “Christmas Time Is Here” (Late Intermediate)
This version is appropriate for students at a late intermediate or early advanced level. There are lots of thick chords, big stretches, and extended jazz chords for maximum aural impact! This might be the one for you teachers to play at your recital!
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🔎 Sheet music sneak peek:
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