November 2025 Challenge – JoeD1

[JoeD1]

The Active Melody Challenge this month was to do a composition of a favorite Christmas song. My wife is a Peanuts fan and she requested I try this song so I’m dedicating it to Mary Ann.

Linus and Lucy
By Vince Guaraldi

The jazz standard was originally released on Guaraldi’s album Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown in 1964, but it gained its greatest exposure as part of A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack the following year.

This is based on a lesson by Eric Blackmon Music I found on YouTube and uses double stops and chords. There are 1 or 2 places that require very quick transition from chord to double stops and I did the best I could but I wanted to keep the tempo at the original speed (about 150 bpm). The backing track I got from https://www.karaoke-version.com.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[charjo]

Challenging piece and you played it really well, Joe. Love how Snoopy had the tempo down and, yes, Joe is cool!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
John

[JoeD1]

Thanks John. I struggled to keep up with the tempo.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Juxi]

Cool, Joe! Man, you can dance and play at the same time 😉 That was well done; 150 bpm is FAST. Very impressive. Greetings to Mary Ann – good choice.
👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[JoeD1]

The tempo was very fast for me but I did the best I could. Thanks Juxi.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[sunjamr]

Way to go Joe! That was quite difficult, pretty much beyond my ability, but it seems like you are making good progress into the world of jazz guitar. As a matter of interest, I knew a guy in Florida whose name was Joe Kuhl, and it was pronounced “Joe Cool”. A lot of people didn’t believe me when I said I knew Joe Cool.

Sunjamr Steve

[JoeD1]

Oh, I’ve heard your playing and I’m pretty sure you could do this! That’s a Kuhl story Steve! 😁

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Michael L]

Oh, what fun, Joe! Great choice for a tune that captures the mood and is out-of-the-ordinary. Well played, and I feel your challenge to keep the pace going. Just smile and do a little Snoopy dance, and all will be well!

[JoeD1]

Thank you Michael. I did a Snoopy dance right after I recorded it for the umpteenth time! 🎅

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[JoLa]

Oh my, Joe, this was fantabulous! What a brilliant idea to play this iconic standard’s arrangement even though it does seem very complex (yeah, jazz!). The sight of dancing Snoopy with Joe Cool t-shirt gave me a chuckle 😆 You’ve done a great job here, very impressive, love this submission!

🎸JoLa

[JoeD1]

Thanks JoLa. It was my wife’s idea and I’m pleased with the way it turned out. I hope you’re healing and doing well.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[AndréM]

Nice jazz fusion vibe Joe,
Well done.
Love your video.

Merry Christmas

AndréM

AndréM

[JoeD1]

Thanks Andrè. I feel like I’m finally getting my mojo back after my accident.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Alan O]

Great submission and I really enjoyed listening! I’m a Charlie Brown fan too.

Alan

[JoeD1]

Thanks Alan. My wife has a few Charlie Brown collectables she’s had since she was a child.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Guido]

Being my self also a Peanuts’ fan I can only appreciate your rendition Joe! Great piece and you played very well a brilliant guitar arrangement. I see also Snoopy appreciated very much and danced to your rhythm. Very cool submission!

Guido

[JoeD1]

Thank you Guido. I had fun putting it together.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Werner]

An extraordinary composition, superbly presented. Great guitar playing and a very entertaining video.

Thank you, Werner

[JoeD1]

Thanks so much Werner.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Bill]

Great job Joe! Challenging changes there and you played it fast and smooth. And what a nice gift for your wife.
Merry Christmas!

[JoeD1]

Thank you Bill. It was very challenging for me but I think I pulled it off for the most part.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[John H]

Joe
Fantastic. What an uplifting and challenging piece of music. You got this. You are becoming a lead/rhythm virtuoso. Keep on!

JH

[JoeD1]

Thank you John. I plan to keep on as long as I can!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Andy N]

That Snoopy’s got rhythm! What a bouncing song too, never heard it before. Great playing on all those parts Joe.
Happy Christmas

[JoeD1]

Thanks Andy. If you watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, which came out in the 60’s, you’ll hear this song.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Denise]

What a cool song! I must say I didn’t know it but I like that cool rhythm and chord progression.
Great playing of the rhythm.
And I like Snoopy dancing.
Greets to your wife, she has great music taste.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Denise

More Blues!

[JoeD1]

Thanks Denise. If you watch A Charlie Brown Christmas show you’ll hear this song. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Reuben B]

Very nicely done Joe. This is not an easy piece to play with the the chord progression and full off syncopated rhythm . Great rendition!

[JoeD1]

Thanks Reuben. I did the best I could and am happy with the way it came out.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Manfred M]

Wow, Joe. You and Snoopy have done a great job! Not everybody has a Gogo Dancer like that. And who is not a Peanuts fan! Great song choice and you really played that challenging thing well! Lots of fun to listen to.
Keep that mood and you will have a wonderful Christmas season!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be at the beginning of next year 2026

A detailed announcement will be posted here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[JoeD1]

Thanks Manfred. Snoopy does look a bit like a go-go dancer doesn’t he?! 😁

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Ivan]

Nicely done Joe…👍

Ivan

[JoeD1]

Thanks Ivan.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Alan L]

I’m so used to hearing this on piano, but it’s great on guitar ! The harmony there and overall energy give it a great jam band vibe.

[JoeD1]

I wasn’t sure how it would sound but I think it came out alright. Thanks Alan.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Dieter]

Excellent jazzy playing and very cool show.

Dieter

[JoeD1]

Thanks Dieter.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Martin W]

Cool song choice joe , something a bit different, very challenging at 150 bpm , you handled those fast runs very well , that must have took a bit of practice.
Clever video with the dancing snoopy .
Happy festive season to you and your family.

Martin

[JoeD1]

I handled the tempo as best I could…thanks Martin.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[James B]

Well done all around, Joe. Always loved this song, and your playing with Snoopy dancing is so entertaining. Your video production skills are impressive too.
Merry Christmas to you and Mary Ann. 🎄

James

[JoeD1]

Thank you James. I have fun doing the videos.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Catherine Arsenault]

Wow Joe tha was wonderful!

[JoeD1]

Thanks Cath! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Author]

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