“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is a classic animated television special based on Charles M. Schulz’s popular comic strip “Peanuts.” The special originally aired on October 27, 1966, and has since become a beloved Halloween tradition for viewers of all ages.
The special is known for its memorable moments, including Snoopy’s adventures as the World War I Flying Ace, Charlie Brown’s struggles with trick-or-treating (he receives rocks instead of candy), and Linus’s unwavering faith in the Great Pumpkin. Lucy’s frustration with Charlie Brown’s costume and her attempts to remove Linus from the pumpkin patch also add humor to the story.
🎹 About: “The Great Pumpkin Waltz”
“The Great Pumpkin Waltz” is a musical composition written by Vince Guaraldi for the beloved Peanuts animated television special titled “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” This special originally aired on October 27, 1966. Vince Guaraldi was a jazz pianist and composer known for his iconic contributions to the Peanuts series, including the famous “Linus and Lucy” theme.
“The Great Pumpkin Waltz” serves as one of the musical highlights of the special. It is a graceful and whimsical waltz that captures the essence of the Peanuts characters’ Halloween adventures. The piece features Guaraldi’s signature jazz piano style, characterized by its light and melodic quality.
The waltz is heard during scenes where Linus and Sally eagerly await the arrival of the Great Pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. Linus firmly believes in the Great Pumpkin, who he thinks rises from the pumpkin patch to bring toys to children on Halloween night, much like Santa Claus does on Christmas. Despite the skepticism of his friends and his sister Lucy’s teasing, Linus remains steadfast in his belief.
“The Great Pumpkin Waltz” perfectly complements the charming and nostalgic atmosphere of the Peanuts specials. Its playful yet introspective melody captures the spirit of childhood imagination and the simple joys that define the Peanuts universe. The music has become synonymous with the special itself and continues to evoke warm feelings of nostalgia for fans of the Peanuts series.
🎹 “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” (Beginner Solo with Duet)
This is a great entry-level solo for first and second year students. The student solo is written in a 5-finger style with just one note at a time and all accidentals notated (no key signature to deal with). The lush teacher accompaniment adds in all the jazzy flavor associated with this piece.
🔎 Sheet Music Sneak Peek:
🎹 “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” (Easy Piano)
This version is manageable for motivated late beginners and early intermediates. It captures the harmonic soundscape of the original version, but omits the difficult jazzy syncopated rhythms. This version is 3 total pages and a run time of around 1:30.
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🎹 “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” (Early Intermediate Piano Solo)
This version incorporates the jazzy rhythms heard in the original recording, but minimizes large stretches and jumps. This version is 5 total pages and a run time of 2:37 if all the repeats are taken.
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🎹 “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” (Intermediate Piano Solo)
For intermediate players this version captures the essence of the original recording, but thins out some of the thick textures while still maintaining the harmonic integrity of the original. This version is 5 total pages and a run time of 2:37 if all the repeats are taken.
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Looking for more Peanuts music?
🐾 Check out the Peanuts Favorites Songbook
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The following 14 songs are included in the Peanuts Favorites songbook. These are all available as separate singles, but you get the most value by purchasing the whole collection. All of these arrangements are appropriate for beginners!
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