A wonderful way to motivate children to persevere in their music lessons is to enthuse them to play melodies they enjoy. In our home, Daddy makes an effort to play simple duets with Dana every week. Hearing them make music together has become one of my favourite family bonding time.

Here are 12 good piano music duet resources for parents:

1. Two at the Piano: 50 Duets for Young Pianists by Fanny Waterman, Marion Harewood

Fifty graded duets for the young pianist with a more advanced player. Valuable for sight-reading, fun to perform

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2. Duets with a Difference by Pauline Hall

Duets with a Difference is an imaginative collection of duets to enjoy with a teacher, parent or friend. Here are classical and popular duets, and pieces in jazz and folk styles. With superb illustrations, fun listening games, and even the opportunity to make up your own duets, Duets with a Difference is a great introduction to the joy of making music together. 

 

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3.  John Thompson’s First Piano Duets: by Hal Leonard Corp

19 duets arranged in the style of John Thompson. Pieces include: Banks of the Ohio * Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat * This Old Man * Frere Jacques * Hot Cross Buns * Kum Ba Yah * Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star * Ode to Joy * The Elephant * Country Gardens * Blue Danube * and more! 
                     

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4. First Christmas Duets: by John Thompson, Carolyn Miller  

Eight joyful Christmas tunes arranged as equal-level elementary piano duets: Believe * C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S * Do You Hear What I Hear * Frosty the Snow Man * Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) * I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus * The Most Wonderful Day of the Year * Nuttin’ for Christmas.

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5.  Mixed Doubles: More Duets with a Difference by Pauline Hall 

Mixed Doubles is part of the highly-praised piano method series, ‘The Oxford Piano Method.’ Each graded tutor is accompanied by a supplementary repertoire book containing a widely varied selection of pieces. Mixed Doubles is part of the third stage of this series geared to young beginners and includes several listening games between pieces.  
                                                                                                       

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6.  Piano Time Jazz Duets Book 1 by Pauline Hall 

This fabulous collection of easy duets in jazzy and light styles is just the thing to liven up any practice session. There are duets in a huge range of styles, from an energetic boogie to a moody blues and lively samba, as well as music to waltz, groove, tango, and rock’n’roll to, and pieces to sing along with.

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7.  More Tunes for Ten Fingers by Pauline Hall 

Suitable for absolute beginners, this book includes colour illustrations. It contains pieces with plenty of songs, duets, puzzles, and games.

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8.  Teaching Little Fingers To Play – More Easy Duets by Hal Leonard

Children will LOVE playing these duets, which offers important guides and reminders to reinforce musical concepts. Features 9 more fun favorites: A Bicycle Built for Two Blow the Man Down Chopsticks Do Your Ears Hang Low? I’ve Been Working on the Railroad The Man on the Flying Trapeze Short’nin’ Bread Skip to My Lou The Yellow Rose of Texas.
                                             

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9.  Celebrated Piano Duets: Book 1 by Robert D. Vandall 

Robert Vandall’s piano duets have been favorites of students and teachers for several years. Many have been chosen for contest and festival lists. Whether performed for studio recitals, contests, festivals, or concerts with multiple pianos on a stage, these duets appeal to performers and audiences alike.

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10 . Disney Early Favorites – Piano Duet Play-Along (Volume 11) by Hal Leonard Corp  
                     

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11.  Disney Movie Hits for Two by Hal Leonard Corp                                                         
                                               

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12. Disney Piano Duets by Mike Watts, Jennifer Watts 

Here are 8 great Disney hits expertly arranged as intermediate duets: The Bare Necessities * Belle * Chim Chim Cher-ee * Hakuna Matata * I See the Light * Kiss the Girl * When She Loved Me * You’ve Got a Friend in Me. 

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We hope you’ll spend many hours making happy music in your homes.  If you have any other music resources to recommend, do leave us a comment. I leave you with this latest Daddy & Dana Duet entitled, ‘ Morning Has Broken’. Enjoy.