How to Teach Piano Duets to Kids: A Simple Ostinato Activity That Builds Teamwork
beginner piano, beginners, beginning piano, piano duet Kay Lowry beginner piano, beginners, beginning piano, piano duet Kay Lowry

How to Teach Piano Duets to Kids: A Simple Ostinato Activity That Builds Teamwork

If you’ve ever wondered how to teach piano duets in a way that’s fun, interactive, and actually works for beginners, this simple ostinato activity will quickly become a favorite in your studio.

Teaching students to play together is one of the most rewarding parts of being a piano teacher. When two children share the bench, listen to each other, and keep a steady beat — real musical magic happens.

In the video above, you’ll see a quick, engaging way to introduce duet playing to beginners:

  • Student 1 plays a simple ostinato pattern — just a 5th that repeats.

  • Student 2 plays the melody on top.

That’s it! But what’s really happening is so much more. Students are learning:
🎵 Steady Beat: Feeling rhythm through repetition rather than counting aloud.
🎵 Listening: Adjusting to one another’s timing and dynamics.
🎵 Teamwork: Experiencing what it means to make music with someone else.

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