duet

1 two items of the same kind [syn: couple, pair, twosome, twain, brace, span, yoke, couplet, distich, duo, dyad, duad]

2 two performers or singers who perform together [syn: duette, duo]

3 a pair who associate with one another; "the engaged couple"; "an inseparable twosome" [syn: couple, twosome, duo]

4 a musical composition for two performers [syn: duette, duo]

5 (ballet) a dance for two people (usually a ballerina and a danseur noble) [syn: pas de deux]

English

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin duo, two

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛt

Noun

1. A musical composition for two performers.

Related terms

• dual
• duo
• trio
• quartet
• quintet
• sextet
• septet
• octet

Translations

For other uses of the term see Duet (disambiguation)

thumb|right|The duet, by [[Hendrik ter Brugghen]] A duet is a musical composition or piece for two performers. In classical music the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as piano duet or piano four hands. A piece for two pianists performing together on separate pianos is referred to as a piano duo.

"Duet" is also used as a verb for the act of performing a musical duet, or colloquially as a noun to refer to the performers of a duet. The word is also occasionally used in reference to non-musical activities performed together by two people.

In Renaissance music, a duet specifically intended as a teaching tool, to be performed by teacher and student, was called a bicinium (see etude).

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