[Piano × Guitar] A roundup of perfect songs for sessions
A piano with 88 keys covers a wide range and can perform pieces from any genre with a rich palette of tones.
This time, we’ve gathered songs that are perfect for sessions with the guitar—a companion instrument that enhances the piano’s charm even more.
The piano-and-guitar ensemble isn’t the most common combination, but once you hear it, you’ll be amazed at how well they complement each other!
We’ve selected works from a variety of genres—classical, Western pop, J-pop, film music, and more—so find your favorites and give a session a try.
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[Piano × Guitar] A roundup of perfect songs for sessions (1–10)
Zankyo SankaAimer
This is a song by Aimer that drew widespread attention as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc and dominated the charts.
Its jazzy, intense sound, which reflects both the splendor and the shadows of the red-light district, leaves a powerful impression.
Don’t you think a piano-and-guitar session could express its worldview even more dramatically—turning past pain into strength and defying fate? With the piano supporting the narrative foundation through dramatic harmonies and the guitar delivering sharp, passionate melodies, it would become a breathless, thrilling performance.
It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy a fiery session where techniques clash head-on.
Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi
A piano and guitar session is an unusual combination, but the harmony between the two instruments captivates listeners.
Among such pieces, I especially recommend Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Merry Christmas Mr.
Lawrence.” Its graceful melody can be expressed even more richly through the collaboration of both instruments.
While honoring the song’s unique atmosphere, enjoy the interplay between guitar and piano as you take in the unparalleled talent and originality of Ryuichi Sakamoto, a composer Japan proudly shares with the world.
Detective Conan Main ThemeŌno Katsuo
The theme song from that famous detective anime that has been beloved since the TV broadcast began in 1996.
Its thrilling, fast-paced sound—where jazz and rock fuse—is striking, isn’t it? Listening to this piece brings to mind the protagonist uncovering the truth with sharp deductions.
The cool main melody on piano combined with the passionate rhythm driven by guitar further enhances the mysterious atmosphere.
And when two players lock in perfectly, the exhilaration of delivering a thrilling performance is truly exceptional.
[Piano × Guitar] A Roundup of Perfect Songs for Sessions (11–20)
The Umbrellas of CherbourgMichel Legrand
This piece was created for a 1964 French film in which every line is sung.
It portrays a sweet yet heartrending love story of two lovers torn apart by fate.
Their helpless vows of eternity and beautiful memories become a heart-clenching harmony that sinks deeply into the soul.
Supported by the piano’s rich chords and a poignantly singing guitar, it should become a moving performance that feels like a dialogue between the two.
It’s perfect for those who want to step into the role of the story’s protagonist and enjoy an emotionally expressive session.
Sonata in A minor, D 821, for Arpeggione and PianoFranz Schubert
The chamber work Sonata in A Minor, D 821, for Arpeggione and Piano, composed by Franz Schubert in Vienna in 1824.
The arpeggione is a six‑string bowed instrument invented between 1823 and 1824, and because it had already fallen out of use by the time Schubert died, this piece has, to the present day, been performed and cherished on instruments such as the cello, viola, and guitar.
Since the arpeggione was played with a bow, performances on the guitar may differ from what Schubert intended.
However, the piece’s plaintive atmosphere pairs wonderfully with the guitar’s unadorned timbre.
If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi
This song is marked by a warm melody that reminds you of the clear-hearted innocence of childhood.
Originally included on the April 1974 album “MISSLIM,” it’s also known as the ending theme of Studio Ghibli’s 1989 film “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” The piece imparts a mysterious sense of comfort, as if everything you see carries a special message.
The light piano accompaniment is lovely, but rendering the enveloping melody on guitar will further deepen the original’s nostalgic atmosphere.
threadNakajima Miyuki
A masterpiece by Miyuki Nakajima that likens a fateful encounter to a beautiful piece of woven fabric, resonating deeply in the heart.
Listening to it reminds you anew of the preciousness and warmth of human connection.
Originally released in October 1992 as a track on the album “EAST ASIA,” the song later became widely beloved when it was chosen as the theme for the drama “Seija no Kōshin” (“March of the Saints”).
Its simple, timeless melody becomes all the more moving as the rich resonance of the piano blends with the warm tones of the guitar.
If you perform it while thinking of someone dear to you, it will surely become an unforgettable moment.