The Perfect Playlist - Keanu Gomez

Whenever I do homework or read, I find it harder to focus while listening to music with spoken words in them. So I usually listen to instrumentals, most often, piano music.

The first song would be River Flows in You by Yiruma. This song probably gained most of its popularity from being called “Bella’s Lullaby” from Twilight. Although repetitive, the song is very calming and presents a very beautiful melody from the piano.

The next would be the piano version of Miracles in December covered by a Youtuber pianist named Joyce Leong. I’m not really a KPOP fan, but apparently this cover was based on a ballad sung by a KPOP group named EXO. After my friend showed me the song, I almost immediately fell in love with the somber, yet sweet melody of the piece. 

The third would be Gone by Jim Chappell. After hearing it as background music for a show my mom watched, she encouraged me to listen and learn this song. It’s a very jazzy, sad, bittersweet song. Even though it’s a piece that I played for my grandfather during his funeral, I still enjoy hearing it.

Next will be my favorite classical piano piece by far, Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp Minor by Chopin. Words cannot really describe the extent to which I admire this piece. I don’t really know what about this song I like so much, but the melody and the climax of the piece really appeals to me. Maybe after listening to this song hundreds of times, I can become a step closer to learning it in the future.

Last but not least will be, Heartsong by Jim Chappell. Being known as a jazz pianist, Chappell’s piece always have a touch of jazz mixed into the modern, contemporary piano styles. In contrast to the other pieces in this playlist, this leans towards the happy side, leaving me with a more positive emotion by the end of the playlist.