The iconic piano melody from the Charlie Brown cartoons, “Linus and Lucy,” is instantly recognizable and surprisingly fun to learn on the piano. This upbeat and jazzy tune, composed by Vince Guaraldi, is a favorite for both Peanuts fans and piano enthusiasts alike. In this lesson, we’ll break down the first part of this classic piece step-by-step, making it accessible for beginner piano players. With a little practice, you’ll be playing the Charlie Brown Song in no time!
Decoding the Left Hand Part of the Charlie Brown Theme Song
Let’s start by focusing on the foundation of the song – the left hand. This part establishes the rhythm and harmonic structure of “Linus and Lucy.”
The Basic Pattern: Starting on A Flat
Begin by placing your pinky finger on the A flat note below middle C. Then, use your second finger to play E flat, and finally, bring your thumb down to play the A flat one octave lower than your starting note. This three-note pattern is the core of the left hand part.
In the actual Charlie Brown song, this pattern is played with a “swing” feel, which means the rhythm is not perfectly even. Listen to recordings of “Linus and Lucy” to really grasp this swing rhythm. Practice this A flat – E flat – lower A flat pattern repeatedly until you feel comfortable with the rhythm and the finger movements.
Introducing a Slight Variation: Ending on F
Once you’ve mastered the initial pattern, we’ll introduce a small but crucial change. After playing the A flat and E flat as before, this time, instead of finishing on the lower A flat, you’ll finish on F with your thumb. Practice this new A flat – E flat – F pattern, again focusing on maintaining the swing rhythm.
Combining the Patterns
Now, let’s put these two patterns together as they appear in the Charlie Brown theme song. You’ll play:
- The A flat – E flat – lower A flat pattern twice.
- Then, the A flat – E flat – F pattern twice.
- Repeat step 1 again (A flat – E flat – lower A flat pattern twice).
- Finally, repeat step 2 again (A flat – E flat – F pattern twice).
This sequence forms a complete section of the left hand part. Practice this entire sequence until it becomes smooth and natural.
Shifting Up: Transposing to B Flat
After mastering the A flat section, the song modulates up a minor third. This means we’ll move the same pattern up the keyboard. Now, you’ll start on B flat with your pinky, play E flat with your second finger, and bring your thumb down to A flat. Practice this B flat – E flat – A flat pattern twice.
Congratulations! You’ve now learned the foundational left-hand patterns for the first part of the Charlie Brown song.
Exploring the Right Hand Melody of Linus and Lucy
Now, let’s move to the right hand, which carries the main melody of “Linus and Lucy.” This part involves playing two notes simultaneously, creating a richer, chordal sound.
Two-Note Patterns
The right hand melody is built upon three sets of two-note chords:
- C and A flat
- E flat and B flat
- A flat and the C above it
Each of these two-note patterns is played for the duration of a single melody note. To simplify learning the melody, we’ll initially focus on just the top note of each pair.
Melody Breakdown
The first phrase of the right-hand melody, using only the top notes of the chords, goes like this:
C – E – A – A – E – C – E – C
The second part of the melody is a shorter variation:
C – E – A – A
After this shorter phrase, the first, longer phrase is repeated before the melody slightly changes again. Listen carefully to a recording of “Linus and Lucy” to internalize the timing and phrasing of this melody.
Right Hand Fingering Tips
For comfortable playing, consider these fingering suggestions:
- Large Hands: If you have larger hands, you might be able to use a wider hand position: Thumb on C, second finger on E flat, third finger on A flat, fourth finger on B flat, and pinky on the C octave.
- Smaller Hands: If your hands are smaller, you may need to shift your hand slightly while playing. Try this fingering: Thumb on C, second finger on E flat, fourth finger on A flat, and pinky on B flat. For the shift to the higher C, use your third finger on A flat and pinky on the higher C.
Right Hand Changes with the B Flat Left Hand
When the left hand shifts to the B flat pattern, the right hand chords also change. The right hand now plays:
- B and A flat together
- Followed by E flat and B flat together (twice)
When the left hand returns to the A flat pattern, the right hand reverts to:
- C and A flat together
- Followed by E flat and B flat together (twice)
Conclusion: You’re on Your Way to Playing the Charlie Brown Song!
You’ve now learned the fundamental left and right-hand parts for the beginning of the Charlie Brown theme song, “Linus and Lucy”! Practice each section separately, focusing on rhythm and accuracy. In our next lesson, we’ll show you how to put both hands together and explore the rest of this iconic tune.
Ready to continue your musical journey? Watch part 2 of The Charlie Brown Theme Song to learn the rest of the song!
