Once you get the hang of playing the piano on your own, it’s time to explore piano duets! After all, there’s nothing more fun than sitting down at a piano and busting out a tune with a fellow pianist. Not to mention, playing along with others is a great way to improve and expand your musical skills.
So, where do you start? We’re glad you asked. We rounded up some of the best easy piano duets for you and another musician to try out together. These piano duets for beginners, including pop hits and classical numbers, provide an excellent place to start your piano duet journey.
Grab a friend and give these ten good piano duet songs a whirl.
10 Famous Piano Duets for Beginners
1. Heart and Soul by Hoagy Carmichael
You can’t play famous piano duet pieces without adding this one to your list. And trust us, you’ll be glad you did! The Chopsticks waltz is a great song for teaching kids how to play together. There are many easy piano duet versions out there. Watch the two students play the piano duet in the video above.
2. Chopsticks
You can’t play famous piano duet pieces without adding this one to your list. And trust us, you’ll be glad you did! The Chopsticks waltz is a great song for teaching kids how to play together. There are many easy piano duet versions out there. Watch the two students play the piano duet in the video above.
3. I Got Rhythm by George Gershwin
Once you learn to play the piano, you’ll want to jump right into this perfect piano duet. This piano swing tune is great for adults and children alike to learn. You can find an arrangement to a tune like this in the Hal Leonard Gershwin 2 piano book.
4. West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein
The music from “West Side Story” is absolutely gorgeous to play as a piano instrumental. Many of the songs can be performed as a duet. Check out the video above in which the musicians play a duet of the medley of the entire show.
5. Hungarian Dance No 2. by Franz Liszt
Are you searching for a simple piano duet to practice with your partner? This easy piano duet is great for students to play around dynamics, tempos, and finger agility.
6. Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley
Ready to have some fun? Get loose and experiment with this lively tune. This upbeat rock ‘n’ roll tune from the ’50s is a ball to play. Great for students to dive in and explore this genre together, such as the young girls in the video above.
7. All I Ask of You by Andrew Lloyd Webber
This heart-melting song from “Phantom of the Opera” is breathtaking as a piano duet. With both classical and Broadway elements, this song is perfect for any performance. It’s also a great song to practice glissandos, octave jumps, and dynamics. If you’re looking to improve your music skills, this popular piano duet that is easy will help.
8. Let It Be by The Beatles
Want to belt out lyrics while playing a piano duet? This song for piano and voice is the perfect tune to practice singing and playing the piano. And chances are, you already know the words by heart! The Beatles wrote several great songs that can easily be transferred to the piano as duets. Beatles songs are quite easy to play on the piano, as many of the songs repeat the same chords.
9. Piano Man by Billy Joel
If you’ve ever been to a dueling piano bar, you’ve probably heard this number played on stage. Now it’s your turn to give it a go! Billy Joel often teams up with Elton John, another iconic piano and vocal legend, in playing this famous song. Notice in the video above that they use two separate pianos but are still playing a duet together.
10. Sonata in D Major by Mozart
For the more advanced piano player, try placing two pianos facing each other if you have the capabilities of doing so, as this song requires a broad range and quick hand movements.
Quick Tips For Playing Piano Duets
What is one of our top tips for playing piano duets? Begin by finding the right partner: Look for a partner who is near or about the same level of piano training as you, as it can be difficult to play with someone who’s less or more advanced than you.
Divide responsibilities: Make sure that you discuss who will be responsible for what. For example, determine who will count off or set the tempo, as well as who will turn the pages if necessary.
Practice on your own: Before you meet with your partner, make sure that you have your part down pat. This will ensure that there’s no confusion when it comes time to combine the individual parts.
The more you explore these songs with other musicians, the more you’ll understand the importance of practicing duets. What’s more, you’ll soon see your piano skills improving practically overnight!
Sign up for Private Lessons to Improve Your Piano Skills
While practicing easy piano duets with others is a prime way to progress your musical skills, you can further improve your musicality by working one on one with a private music tutor. Here at TakeLessons, we offer both in-person and online piano lessons to help you reach your music goals. No matter what level of musician you are, our tutors will put you on a path to success. Sign up for piano lessons with us today.
Post Author: Liz T.Liz T. teaches singing, acting, and music lessons online. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, R&B, and Country. Learn more about Liz here!
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