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Hi,New here. I am a novice player. I have played some Guaraldi stuff off lead sheets given to me by a friend. Some beautiful melodies and manageable for my skill level.(Interpretation is another story) Can anyone recommend a Guaraldi book. Preferably Easier arrangements.? Thank you

Get the Christmas book. Good intro, moderate difficulty, fun to play, and you might get a couple of them down before Christmas.

Charlie Brown Christmas.

Can someone tell me what's the best way to play "Christmas Time is Here" when the chords span longer than an octave in certain measures? Do you use the pedal for this? Sorry I don't have the book in front of me right now to name a few of the measures but this is driving me mad. I started to use the pedal but wanted to confirm this is the proper way.

I have an arrangement of this I was just starting to dust off. But sure, quite different from yours. Where are you having trouble and what key are you in?

I'm in F (one flat) and starting on Fmaj7 (E to C melody) to

Eb9 (A melody)

I'm having no trouble with the chords over two octaves, but I am using both hands ...

I'm using very little pedal, but really is going to depend on arrangement.

Bruford,

This Guaraldi - Charlie Brown Christmas - Easy Piano is the link for the "easy piano" version that I own. It has a great arrangement of Christmas Time is Here that I play...don't recall it having anything over an octave but I will check it tonight when I get home. I would say this book is suitable for someone playing about a year or so if they have been working at it. As you may know, "easy piano" isn't really all that easy.

Caution - there is another version of the same book on Amazon that is labeled "five finger" level, which is probably not what you want...although I have no personal experience with it.

I know the version you have. I can reach the notes if I relax nicely but they are out of reach for some. I guess you have the usual choices, roll the notes or leave one out. You'll have to play around and see what works.

I never have got this piece into a reasonable state - perhaps this Christmas!

I have a couple of different transcriptions.

1. Vince Guaraldi Collection
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (regular version)
3. The Peanuts Illustrated Song Book

Books 2 and 3 contain the same transcription.

Book #1:

In measure 7, Fmaj9. I'm supposed to roll/hold the chord in the bass clef starting with F at the bottom (FCA) and play the melody starting with E at the top of the treble clef (E 8th note indicated as played same time as chord is rolled/held) then go C, C, A. My problem is I can't roll/hold the chord with the left hand alone and play the melody starting with that E at the very top of the treble clef all at the same time.

Book #2/3:

In measure 5-6, goes Fmaj9 to Eb13#11. Similar problem...measure 5.....I cant hold in the bass clef FA (distance between these notes on the page is greater than an octave), EG in the treble clef (completing the chord) and still play E, C, C.

Maybe I should ask what version of book did you guys use to learn this song? Is "Charlie Brown Greatest Hit's" Blue Version, different as well? What about the Yellow Version of the same title book?

Monads.

The version in the one I linked has nothing wider than an octave. Its measure 5 beat one has just f in base and g e in treble.

Just checked again. Nothing over a seventh.

I'll check that version out then...thanks Jim.

Thank you. I will pick up the Charlie Brown christmas book. I'll let you know how it is going.

You may find these useful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwEfIhNso0o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0R-sqn2cMM

The Guaraldi Collection is simple.

Looking.

I play LINUS-LUCY and SKATING from memory every morning. Both pieces are super simple, in theory, and difficult in practice. For a beginner, his music is hellish from the frustration of trying to get hands to move in rhythm and sound half as nice as Vince.

Beware.

Next year I will take a couple more out of the Collection book and attempt to do good.

If it's not too late: You can play these chords at least ways. First, you can re-voice the chords so they fit in your hand. Or you can arpeggiate them.

Love his stuff. I have not got into playing much of it yet though. Very jazzy

I have Charlie Brown Christmas Sheet Music Book.

Roll them where you can reach them, sounds just as good.

Vince, my man, you left us too early!

Thanks for sharing those videos with David Benoit. Just a reminder that there are pianists out there that are stellar who have small hands. It looks like he can barely reach an octave or a ninth...same as me.

Vince is AWESOME as is David Benoit!