“Linus and Lucy” – A Jazz Journey

Welcome to this online jazz class where we dive into one of the most iconic and joyful jazz piano pieces ever composed — “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi.

First heard in the 1965 A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special, “Linus and Lucy” quickly became synonymous with the Peanuts gang and etched itself into the hearts of generations. But beyond the nostalgia lies a piece rich in rhythmic energy, dynamic chord voicings, and swinging jazz vocabulary — a perfect canvas for aspiring jazz pianists.

What You'll Learn

Bring the fun of Linus and Lucy to your piano! Step by step, we’ll tackle the famous riff, bouncy melody, and full chord structure, making it easy—and enjoyable—to play this classic with confidence and a smile.

Why “Linus and Lucy”?

Vince Guaraldi was a master at blending jazz sophistication with accessibility. “Linus and Lucy” is more than a cartoon theme — it’s a mini jazz masterclass:

• It's a great intro to jazz phrasing for classical pianists
• It’s ideal for learning groove-based comping and melody
• And it’s simply fun to play — for you and your listeners

What This Course Offers

This course is divided into two skill levels to meet you exactly where you are in your playing:

🎵 Level 1: Early Intermediate – Building the Foundation

• Learn the basic melody and chord shapes
• Work on simple rhythms and playing with both hands
• No jazz experience needed — just basic keyboard familiarity

🎹 Level 2: More Advanced – Playing Like Guaraldi

• Master the left-hand ostinato that gives the piece its signature drive
• Begin to explore improvisation concepts within the tune’s structure
• Learn to embellish and personalize your version of the tune

 Let’s Begin

Whether you’re a jazz newcomer or brushing up your chops, “Linus and Lucy” offers the perfect mix of groove, melody, and magic. Let’s unpack the tune, learn the feel, and most of all — have fun.

See you at the piano!

Learning online means you can go as slow or quick as you wish. You can pause, repeat and jump around. It gives you a lot of freedom to learn in your own unique way. Some parts of lessons you will do multiple times and that's OK, no one is watching! Enjoy!