Everybody's Doing It Now - Piano Duo (2 Pianos, 4 Hands): Piano Duo (2 Pianos, 4 Hands)

This collection captures the brilliance of Berlin and his contemporaries (Gershwin, Joplin, Kern, Youmans) in arrangements that let two pianists share the spotlight equally. The mix of rags, standards, and patriotic favorites gives ensembles genuine variety within a single book, making it ideal for recitals, competitions, or collaborative programming without feeling scattered or theme-bound.

These 15 selections pulse with the optimism and infectious energy of early American popular song. Ragtime syncopation sits comfortably alongside Broadway elegance, creating a collection that feels both nostalgic and immediately engaging—music that makes pianists want to move and audiences want to listen.

Intermediate and late-intermediate pianists looking for compelling duet repertoire that reflects real American songwriting tradition. Two pianists preparing for recitals, competitions, or ensemble performances will find music that rewards collaborative practice while remaining technically accessible.

• Establish clear leadership between players before rehearsing passages where one pianist carries the melody and the other provides rhythmic or harmonic support. Consistent eye contact during these transitions prevents hesitation and maintains forward momentum.
• Listen actively to balance the two pianos, especially in pieces where one instrument plays ragtime syncopation while the other anchors the harmonic foundation. Neither pianist should dominate; the music lives in the conversation between the two.
• Work through tempo and dynamic markings together as a team. What reads as "moderate" at one piano may feel quite different at the other, so agree on a shared interpretation before the final run-through.
• Pay particular attention to rhythm sections where the ensemble straddles stride patterns and syncopation. Precision here gives the arrangement its swagger and prevents the piece from feeling loose or rhythmically uncertain.

Program selections from this book as a complete set for a recital devoted to American standards, or build a mixed concert by pairing individual pieces with solo repertoire or other ensembles. Its breadth makes it equally useful for a themed competition class or a festival program celebrating American music.

• Two-piano coordination and ensemble communication
• Ragtime syncopation and stride piano techniques
• Rhythmic independence between left and right hands across two instruments
• Balancing melody and accompaniment roles within a duet texture
• Sight-reading and score literacy for intermediate pianists