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[For Beginners] Enjoy Parent-Child Piano Duets! Recommended Songs Introduced

Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experiencesatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Seeing your child practice the piano may inspire many parents to dream of playing a duet together.

Why not make that dream come true? In this article, we’ll introduce recommended pieces for parent–child piano duets from a wide range of genres.

Duets might sound difficult at first, but there are many published duet scores for familiar music—nursery rhymes and folk songs sung in preschools and kindergartens, theme songs from animated films, and pieces that beginner piano students learn—making them approachable for parents and children alike.

Even if your child has just started lessons and you, as a parent, are trying the piano for the first time, you can give it a go with ease.

We hope you and your child will experience the joy of breathing together and making music as one!

[For Beginners] Enjoy Parent-Child Piano Duets! Recommended Pieces (31–40)

Rather than “The Carnival Has Come,” it went, “There were two mischievous kittens.”Hirayoshi Takeshu

[Piano Duo First Step] 39. There Were Two Mischievous Kittens (Takashi Hikyoku) Piano Duet Classical

Rather than “The Carnival Has Come,” it went, “There were two mischievous kittens.”Hirayoshi Takeshu

Watch on YouTube: “Rather than ‘The Carnival Has Come,’ it went, ‘There were two mischievous kittens.’ Hirayoshi Takeshu.”

This is “There Were Two Mischievous Kittens,” an original piano duet by a Japanese composer from the collection “The Carnival Has Arrived.” In our videos for intermediate players, we’ve often featured fun, cool, and up-tempo pieces, but this one has many calm and beautiful passages and is easy to play, making it a great recommendation for intermediates.

As the title “There Were Two Mischievous Kittens” suggests, the character of the music reflects that image.

Because the musical expression is easy to grasp, intermediate players should be able to perform it comfortably.

It’s also recommended as an encore piece for concerts.

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons “Resident Services”Todaka Ikusei

[Official Sheet Music] Animal Crossing: New Horizons BGM [Piano Duet] (Choral Draft)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons "Resident Services"Todaka Ikusei

This piece comes from Nintendo’s popular Animal Crossing series, specifically Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and is characterized by its warm, gentle melody.

While helping players relax, it features a simple yet memorable and pleasing tune.

Subtle arrangement changes occur depending on the time of day, and the soft tones of piano and synthesizer evoke the atmosphere of a peaceful life.

It also works wonderfully as a duet for two players, allowing you to enjoy the harmony between the melody and chord parts and spend a leisurely time through music.

It’s a perfect piece for those who want to share a gentle moment while playing in sync as a pair.

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Aladdin “Friend Like Me”Alan Menken

Friend Like Me (from Aladdin) duet (one-person duet) – Print Sheet Music, Early to Intermediate Level – Recommended duet piece for recitals ✨ #FunDuetSong

Aladdin “Friend Like Me”Alan Menken

This piece lets you enjoy a Disney film song as a piano duet.

Incorporating elements of jazz and cabaret, it’s an up-tempo arrangement highlighted by a striking brass section.

Performed powerfully by Koichi Yamadera on the 90-minute special of the TV program Music Station in July 2019, the song beautifully blends a cheerful atmosphere with magical staging.

With its melodic, approachable character, it’s perfect for teacher-and-student or parent-and-child duets.

It has also been staged in the Broadway musical adaptation, earning high acclaim including a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in 2014.

Why not perform this beloved classic—adored across generations—together with someone special?

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Aladdin: A Whole New WorldAlan Menken

Recommended for beginners: Piano duet “A Whole New World” from the movie Aladdin / PuriNto Sheet Music / Disney Duet

Aladdin: A Whole New WorldAlan Menken

A dreamily beautiful piano duet that colors one of Disney Animation’s most iconic scenes.

Its melody conjures the enchanting image of lovers freely soaring beneath a starry sky, expressed in a way that closely mirrors their feelings.

This work portrays the spirit of adventure and pure love of setting off on a magic carpet to discover a whole new world, and by June 1993 it had become a major hit in Japan alone, selling over 120,000 copies.

It also achieved the remarkable feat of winning both a Grammy Award and an Academy Award.

Performed as a piano duet with perfectly synchronized breathing and touch, it offers a wonderful time for teachers and students, parents and children, or friends to inspire one another.

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Quintet Theme ‘Evening Quintet’Miyagawa Akira

[Beginner] Quintet Theme 'Evening Quintet'

Quintet Theme 'Evening Quintet'Miyagawa Akira

This is a popular theme song that aired as the opening theme of NHK Educational TV’s music appreciation program from April 2003 to March 2013.

Its bright, lively rhythm and approachable melodic line are memorable, as are the unique lyrics that rhythmically weave in the Japanese syllabary.

The lyrics also change with each of the four seasons, artfully depicting scenes at dusk.

In December 2005, the work won the top prize in the Children and Youth Programs category at the 42nd ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) General Assembly held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Loved as a piece parents and children can enjoy performing together, it is also a popular choice for piano duets.

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[For Beginners] Enjoy Piano Duets as Parent and Child! Recommended Pieces (41–50)

My Neighbor Totoro ‘Catbus’Hisaishi Joe

Catbus, My Neighbor Totoro, Ghibli, solo four-hands (one-person duet), “Duet pieces I want to play at a recital,” “Fun duet pieces.”

My Neighbor Totoro 'Catbus'Hisaishi Joe

The piece used in the film’s brisk, whimsical vehicle scene is notable for its warm sound in A-flat major and its bouncy rhythm.

The melody, unfolding at a speedy tempo, evokes a mysterious nighttime adventure.

Characterized by a fast tempo and an appealing melodic line, this work is perfect for piano four hands.

By synchronizing breathing and listening to each other’s sound while playing, performers can experience the joy of piano performance.

Since the film’s release in 1988, this piece has continued to be loved by many music enthusiasts, and through four-hand performance it serves as a fine work that fosters bonds across generations.

Frequently performed in a variety of arrangements, it is also ideal for recitals.

Because the difficulty varies by part, it can be enjoyed by different pairings—teacher and student, parent and child, and more.

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From the suite ‘Ma mère l’Oye’: No. 1 Pavane of the Sleeping BeautyMaurice Ravel

[Piano Four Hands] Ravel — Ma Mère l’Oye, No. 1: Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty

From the suite 'Ma mère l’Oye': No. 1 Pavane of the Sleeping BeautyMaurice Ravel

Watch “From the suite ‘Ma mère l’Oye’: No. 1 Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty Maurice Ravel” on YouTube

An elegant piano duet inspired by the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

Written for two children, it is considerate in its technical demands and not overly difficult.

Its gentle melody in A minor conveys a dreamlike sense of comfort.

Although it lasts only about a minute and a half, it unfolds a delicate world built on the classical pavane dance form.

The layered chords and richly colored sonorities produced by four hands offer a depth of musical experience unattainable in a solo performance.

Composed in 1908, it was later arranged for orchestra and ballet.

This piece is recommended for those who wish to leave a dazzling impression at recitals or concerts.

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