Beautiful

Mother & Child

Duets
Learn how to create your own stunning piano music

Composing simply requires knowing a few formulas, listening to the inspiration

that comes into your heart and then having the courage to invite your song into
the world.

Invite your child to sit beside you as you together create transcendently beautiful
music with these easy improvised duets. Be patient with yourself and your child as
you learn. Have the courage to explore and experiment until you’ve created your
desired sound.

Once your song is complete, have the courage to share your song and thereby
enrich the people around you.
 2

Music of the Moment

To play this duet, I recommend that the parent first learn Part 1 and then play while the child
improvises. Later, reverse roles and teach Part 1 to the child.

Part 1: Parent’s Part

Step 1: Position the Hands

Locate the placement of the left hand and right hand as demonstrated in the diagram.

Step 2: Learn the Pattern

Pianist have numbered each finger. Press each key in the order shown to create a beautiful pattern.
Practice this pattern until you are comfortable and can play in a slow, steady rhythm.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 3

Music of the Moment

Part 2: Child’s Part

Step 1: Position the Hand

Place the right hand on the keyboard as shown. Each finger should rest on a key.

Step 2: Improvise

The child creates the melody by playing any of these keys in any order.

Step 3: Play the Duet with Your Child

Combine parts 1 and 2 to play with your child. The parent begins by playing part 1 in a slow, steady
rhythm. When ready, the child joins in, improvising the melody. Watch the video on
Eartrainingandimprov.com to see an example.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 4

Review of Finger Numbers

Piano players have given each finger a number. Use this chart to learn
which finger to use when you see a number.

3 3
4 2 2 4
5 5
1 1

Left Right

We will use these finger numbers for the activities in this book, so refer back to this page as needed.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 5

Daybreak

Part 1

Step 1: Place your left hand on the highlighted keys. You will use your pinky, middle finger and thumb.

5 3 1

Step 2: Practice playing the highlighted keys in this order:

5 3 1 5 3 1

Practice this pattern over and over until you can play it smoothly.

Part 2

Step 1: Place your right hand on the keys highlighted in red. Notice that these are the same keys used by
Part 1 (highlighted in blue), except that they are played higher on the keyboard.

5 3 1 1 3 5

Step 2: Use these keys to improvise. You can play any key in any order. Play in a slow rhythm to
complement the playing of Part 1.

Make it Better
Your song will be more interesting if you are frequently changing the chords. When you’re comfortable with this
pattern, turn to the “Make it Better” section at the back of the book to learn which chords to use next.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 6

Starlit Waltz

Part 1

Step 1: Place your hands on the highlighted keys. Your left hand is highlighted in blue and your right
hand in red.

5 1 5
3

Step 2: Practice the pattern. In this pattern, your right hand will press down all three “red” keys at the
same time. Try playing this pattern:

5 5 5 5
3 3 3 3
5 1 1 5 1 1

Count “one, two, three, one, two, three...” as you play. Emphasize beat one, which you play with your
left hand. Practice this pattern until you can play it comfortably.

Part 2

Step 1: Find your keys. Note where your partner is playing and place your right hand on the highlighted
keys.

5 1 5
3
Part 1 Part 2

Step 2: Create your melody. You can use any of the highlighted keys in any order. Give your waltz a slow
start by only playing one note on each beat one. As the song progresses, play faster and add in more
notes.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 7

50’s Love Song

Use this formula to create your own 50’s love song.

Part 1

Step 1: Find the first chord. In this song, you will only use your left hand and you will press down all
three keys at the same time.

Chord 1
5 3 1

Step 2: Now practice the remaining chords. First get familiar with them, and then practice switching
between them in order.

Chord 2
5 3 1

Chord 3
5 3 1

Chord 4
5 3 1

Step 3: Play triplets. When you’re comfortable switching between the chords, try playing triplets with
each chord before switching to the next. You can say “trip-o-let, trip-o-let” as you play each chord to
help you get the hang of the rhythm.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 8

50’s Love Song

Part 2

Step 1: Find your keys. You will use your right hand and the keys are highlighted for you in red. Note
where your partner is playing as you place your hand.

5 3 1

Part 1 Part 2

Step 2: Experiment with melody. You can play any of these keys in any order. You will play your melody
while your partner is playing Part 1, so experiment with which sound combinations you like. Start slow
at first. Later, as you get more comfortable with the rhythm, you may want to play more quickly.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 9

Taking Flight

Part 1

Step 1: Find the placement of your right hand and left hand. Use the finger numbers as a guide.

5 3 5

Step 2: Count out loud to learn the rhythm.

Count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and Say the purple numbers and word out loud. Repeat.

Step 3: Practice playing the pattern in rhythm. Press down the corresponding key when you say each
word. Notice that you’ll hold the “blue” key down longer than the others- you hold it for “one and”.

5 5 3 5 3 5 3
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
Repeat this pattern over and over until you can play it comfortably. Then invite your duet partner to join
in.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 10

Taking Flight

Part 2

Step 1:

Find your keys. Place your right hand on the Part 2 keys highlighted in red. You will play on higher keys
than your partner.

Part 1 Part 2
Step 2

Improvise. Use the highlighted keys to create your melody. You can play any key in any order. Listen
carefully to what sounds good with the notes your partner is playing.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 11

Tuesday in the Park

This duet is sure to be a hit! It’s got little bit of a jazzy feel that underlies a bright and happy tone.

Part 1

Step 1: Find the placement of your hands.

5 1 4 5

Step 2: Practice playing the keys in the order shown below. Play with a jazzy rhythm.

5 1 4 5 5

Part 2

Step 1: Identify your improv keys. You will be playing higher than your partner. In this duet, you have
lots of keys to choose from.

Part 1 Part 2

Step 2: Experiment. You can use these keys to improvise while your partner plays. Try to create a jazzy
melody. Listen carefully to learn what combinations sound good with what your partner is playing. You’ll
notice that some keys will clash against the keys in Part 1. Some people like this sound. If you hear a
clash, resolve it by quickly switching to a key that doesn’t clash. The interplay of tension and resolution
makes for an intriguing song.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 12

Make it Better

Use this section to learn how to make your songs sound fuller, more interesting and more complete. If
you were to stay on just one chord, your song would get boring really fast.

Using a series of chords makes your song sounds like it’s progressing. In this section, you’ll find some
excellent chord sequences that you can use to enhance your songs.

How to use this section:

1. First, make sure you are totally comfortable with the simple version of the song, as introduced
in the first part of the book.
2. Play the pattern in each of the chord positions described in the directions of this section.
3. Practice switching between chord positions until you can do so quickly without interrupting the
rhythm of the song.
4. Put it together. Sit down with your duet partner and have fun creating a beautiful song together.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 13

Make it Better: Daybreak

Train your hand to switch between the following chords in the order shown. You’ll have a beautiful
song. Part 1 will play these chords, usually playing each chord twice with the pattern you learned before
switching to the next chord.

Chord 1

5 3 1
Part 2: Improvise based on these
chords. Pay attention to which
chord your partner is playing.
Chord 2 You can use any key from that
chord to create your melody.

5 3 1

Chord 3

5 3 1

Chord 4

5
Starlit Waltz
3 1

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 14

Make it Better: Starlit Waltz

Train your hand to switch between the following chords in the order shown. You’ll have a beautiful
song. Repeat the pattern you learned 2-4 times with each chord and then switch to the next chord.

Part 1

Chord 1

5 1 5
3

Chord 2

3
5 1 5

Chord 3

5 1 5
3

Part 2

Improvise based on the chords your partner plays. Play the same keys, but higher on the keyboard. For
example, as your partner plays Chord 1, you can play any of the keys that are included in Chord 1. When
your partner switches to Chord 2, start improvising with any of the keys from Chord 2.

You can also experiment with passing tones. Passing tones are notes that you play on your way from
one highlighted key to the next highlighted key. Take a look at the unmarked keys that sit between the
highlighted keys. Experiment with these to find sounds like you like.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 15

Make it Better: Taking Flight

Train your hand to switch between the following positions in the order shown. You’ll have a beautiful
song. Part 1 will play the pattern in each position, usually playing the rhythm twice in each position
before switching to the next position.

Position 1:

5 3 5

Position 2:

5 3 5

Position 3:

3
5 5

Position 4:

5 3 5
Practice switching between the four positions. Make sure you’re comfortable playing the rhythmic
pattern in each position, and that you’re comfortable switching between the positions.
Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 16

Make it Better: Taking Flight

Part 2

Have fun creating a melody based on your partner’s hand position. You can use any key from the
position your partner is playing in at that moment. Be sure to switch your hand position when your
partner switches positions.

Later, you can add in passing tones to make your melody more complex. A passing tone is a key between
highlighted keys. You play it “in passing” on your way to the next highlighted key.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
 17

Make it Better: Tuesday in the Park

The person playing Part 1 can learn these three different hand positions. When you cycle through these
positions, you get a really neat Tuesday in the Park. In each position, play the rhythm you learned.

Position 1:

5 1 4 5

Position 2:

5 1 4 5

Position 3:

5 1 3 5

Play the rhythm in each position twice before switching to the next position.

Part 2 You will continue using the same 7 keys you learned earlier. Have fun experimenting to create
intriguing new melodies for this jazzy improvised duet.

Copyright © 2013 EarTrainingandImprov.com. All rights reserved. For home and private teacher use only.
May not be sold, shared, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the expressed written permission of the publisher.