Music Monday: Christmastime Is Here!

Not only is this a true statement, but it’s the name of one of the pieces Vince Guaraldi composed and performed (with his trio) for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. It features lots of intriguing chord changes and, of course, Vince’s dazzling jazz piano. One of my musician friends at church and I have been figuring out the chords, particularly to the middle section.* So far, the best we can come up with for the first two is a Dbmaj9 to a C+/Gb (it then goes to an Am7, then to–I think–some kind of Ebdim to a D7, then a Gm7 to an F+(add4)/Db to a C11 to a Gbmaj7… I think). If anyone wants to chime in with their suggestions, feel free. In the meantime, enjoy the piece as we enter into the Christmas season!

* Sure we could look up the sheet music, but it’s more fun (and more educational) to work it out by ear. After all, unless the sheet music has come from the composer, the person transcribing is just as likely to get it wrong as anyone else.