Looking for some fun piano duets to play with your friends? Below, piano teacher Julie P. shares the 15+ best piano duets for every instrument and skill level…
One of the best things about playing an instrument is getting to play with others. If you’re learning how to play the piano, chances are you’re going to want to play with other musicians – ideally, playing piano duets with other instruments.
After all, it’s a lot of fun to share the musical experience with someone else. You can play duets with another pianist or with anyone else who plays an instrument; there is no limit to the possibilities for playing duets.
Playing a duet can be complicating, as there are many different elements you have to consider. For example, you need to coordinate with the other person for tempo, dynamics, and rhythm.
Yet it’s something that’s worth learning how to do, since there’s nothing quite as beautiful as the sound of a piano playing in harmony with another instrument, like a flute or trumpet.
Since piano duets can be tough, I’ve provided a few helpful pointers below to help you get started.
What Other Instruments Go Well With Piano?
You can play just about any other instrument imaginable with the piano but those that sound the best will be ones that play multiple notes at once, such as other keyboard instruments.
Other good options include:
- Harp
- Guitar
- Flute
- Trumpet
- Violin
To get better at playing duets, you need to know the basics. Knowing how to improvise is one skill that can help you get ahead when it comes to playing duets with other musicians.
Here’s a video to help you get started on your journey:
How Do You Play a Duet on the Piano?
If you’re looking for tips on how to play piano duets with other piano players, be sure to check out this list of the 10 best (and most famous!) piano duets. However, if you want to learn how to play the piano with other types of instruments, this post is for you.
Whether you’ve played a duet before or this is your first time, it’s always helpful to review some quick and easy tips.
- Get comfortable: If you’re playing with another pianist, make sure both players are comfortable with the bench and music placement. It will feel strange to share the piano with someone else, so talk to each other to make sure you’re both comfortable.
- Communication is key: If you’re playing with a different kind of instrumentalist, set up his or her chair and stand so that you can clearly see one another. Communication is very important when playing duets.
- Listen carefully: One of the hardest things about playing piano duets is getting used to listening to your part and your partner’s part. To help with this, try playing your individual parts for each other so you can hear each part before playing them together.
- Divvy up responsibilities: Discuss who will count off or set the tempo, as well as who will turn the pages if necessary. It can be helpful to practice short sections of the piece before trying to run the whole piece through.
Now that you’ve reviewed the helpful tips above, you’re ready to play your first piano duet. To help inspire you, below are some easy piano duets for different skill levels and instruments.
Easy Piano Duets for Beginners – Piano Only
If you’re a beginner piano player, these easy piano duets meant to be played with other pianists are perfect for you. You might want to practice these popular piano duets with your piano teacher before you invite someone else to play with you.
1. Let it Go-Frozen
Click here for the Let it Go piano sheet music.
2. Take Me Out To The Ballgame
Click here for the Take Me Out to the Ballgame piano sheet music.
3. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Click here for the Jolly Old Saint Nicholas piano sheet music.
4. Ode To Joy
Click here for the Ode to Joy sheet music.
5. Heart and Soul Piano Duet
Click here for the Heart and Soul sheet music.
6. Corpse Bride Piano Duet
Click here for the Corpse Bride Piano Duet Sheet Music
7. Dove Cameron “True Love” Piano Duet
Click here for the True Love sheet music.
Easy Piano Duets for Intermediates
Need something a bit more challenging? This list of popular piano duets is great for intermediate players who aren’t yet experts, but want something a little more advanced than introductory songs.
1. Straw Hat Strut-Jazz, Rags and Blues, Book 1
Click here for the sheet music.
2. The Entertainer
Click here for the sheet music.
3. Hakuna Matata
Click here for sheet music.
4. House of the Rising Sun
Click here for sheet music.
Harp and Piano Duets
It can be challenging to find sheet music for harp and piano since both are often used as accompaniment instruments. Here are four beautiful songs to consider learning.
1. Amazing Grace
Click here for the sheet music.
2. Reverie – Daniel Burton
Click here for the sheet music.
3. Mystic Bells – Sean Calhoun
4. Gypsy Rondo
Click here for the sheet music.
Flute and Piano Duets
The flute and piano are two classic instruments to pair together as well. If you have a flutist friend, consider learning the following tunes.
1. Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D
Click here for the sheet music.
2. “Pavane” for Flute and Piano
Click here for the sheet music.
3. Ave Maria
Click here for the sheet music.
4. Rondo for Piano and Flute
Click here for the sheet music.
5. Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
Click here for the sheet music.
Trumpet and Piano Duets
Consider these trumpet and piano duets for a truly show stopping performance.
1. You Raise Me Up
Click here for the sheet music.
2. In Christ Alone
Click here for the sheet music.
3. What a Wonderful World
Click here for the sheet music.
4. We Three Kings
Click here for the sheet music.
Guitar and Piano Duets
Do you have a friend who plays the guitar? These popular piano and guitar duet options are great. Just make sure that you follow the tips above to make sure your performance goes off without a hitch.
1. Canon in D
Click here for the sheet music.
2. The Scientist
Click here for the sheet music.
3. Hey Jude
Click here for the sheet music.
4. Skyfall (Adele)
Click here for the sheet music.
5. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Click here for the sheet music.
Piano and Violin Duets
The piano and the violin sound beautiful together. Get inspired by this list of violin and piano duets below.
1. Amazing Grace
Click here for sheet music.
2. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Click here for sheet music.
3. Libertango
Click here for sheet music
Beautiful Piano Duets for Any Musician!
If you’re going to play the piano, you might as well learn to play a few piano duets that can be played with other beautiful instruments.
Hopefully, a few of the easy piano duets above get you excited about playing. Feel free to pick any song you like on this list or create your own arrangement of the music.
If you’re not yet confident in your skills, try practicing with your piano teacher. He or she will be able to give you some great pointers about where you can improve. Then when you’re ready, grab a friend and create your own unique arrangement!
Photo by Marlo Carvajal
Post Author: Julie P.Julie P. teaches flute, clarinet, music theory, and saxophone lessons in Brooklyn, NY. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and her Masters in Music Performance from New Jersey City University. Learn more about Julie here!
