Just for Two, Book 2: Piano Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Book

Alexander's gift lies in writing music that sounds fresh and musical without sacrificing pedagogical clarity. These duets expand the appeal of the original Just for You series by creating genuine ensemble moments; two pianists share equally interesting parts rather than one playing filler while the other carries the melody. The variety here—from the Latin rhythms of Fiesta Fever to the jazzy stride of Montana Rag to the lyrical Ballad—gives students real reasons to practice together.

These pieces capture the joy of shared music-making across eight contrasting moods. Whether you're dancing through the infectious energy of Fiesta Fever, swaying to the gentle elegance of Ballad, or embracing the blues-tinged swagger of Montana Rag, each piece invites genuine partnership at the keyboard. The writing feels natural to two hands in motion, never mechanical or forced.

Early intermediate pianists who are ready to move beyond single-line duets and experience the independence required of four-hand playing. Students benefit from the motivational boost of playing alongside a peer or teacher, and teachers gain a repertoire of engaging, musically substantial pieces that reinforce technique without boredom.

• Spend rehearsal time on the primo and secondo parts separately before combining them; each hand has its own musical line, and students often need to hear their own voice clearly before integrating it with their partner.
• Balance matters in four-hand writing; the secondo player should understand when they're supporting harmony and when they're carrying rhythmic or melodic weight, especially in pieces like Sound the Trumpets.
• Establish who leads the tempo, particularly at section transitions and in pieces with rall. or accelerando markings. One partner should be the anchor while the other listens carefully.

Duets from this book work beautifully in spring recitals where you want to program collaborative moments and showcase student partnerships. A single piece like Montana Rag or Fiesta Fever pairs well with solo repertoire from other students, and the collection's variety allows you to balance a program tonally and stylistically. These also serve as motivating practice material for studio teaching when a student needs encouragement to develop independence and listening skills.

• Reading and maintaining independent rhythmic lines simultaneously
• Balancing melodic and accompaniment roles between primo and secondo parts
• Listening to and blending with a partner while playing the keyboard
• Interpreting dynamic and tempo markings in a collaborative context
• Building confidence with the hand positions and coordination required for four-hand writing