Know any beautiful guitar or piano songs?

May 8, 2009 2:52 PM

Please recommend your favorite acoustic guitar and piano songs!

I am trying to make a CD for a friend who is a writer and is taking some time off from her "real job" to work on her writing. I want to encourage this because she is an awesome writer, so I am making her a CD with soothing/inspiring background music to give her before she leaves. She told me once that the right music in the background helps her writing flow. And I know she loves the piano and acoustic guitar.

So do you have any recommendations for relaxing/beautiful instrumental songs I can find on iTunes? I thank you in advance for your help!!

posted by osloheart to media & arts (17 comments total)

The first thing that popped into my mind was the song, ‘Wedding Bell’ by the Japanese acoustic guitar duo, Depapepe (I’m not sure how to pronounce that, either). It’s really, really pretty. I don’t know if it’s available on iTunes, however, so if you can’t find it there, drop me a MeFi mail.
posted by blithecatpie at 3:15 PM on May 8

As for piano songs (that aren't classical), 'Avril 14th' by Aphex Twin and 'Opus 23' and 'Opus 17' by Dustin O'Halloran.
posted by blithecatpie at 3:19 PM on May 8

Elton John's "Song for guy" is fabulous (easy to play too!)
posted by BigCalm at 3:50 PM on May 8

Yes - Mood for a Day
posted by saladin at 3:52 PM on May 8

Tom Alexander's "What's ahead". Track 3, "Looking Forward to Looking Back" is so pretty it makes me ache but the whole album is amazing. I'm having a hell of a time finding it for sale online though. I bought mine years ago.
posted by chairface at 3:53 PM on May 8

Roger Eno (the regrettably less famous brother of Brian Eno) has many recordings out that feature piano or guitar (with orchestration). Really wonderful music. I'm thinking specifically of Between Tides, but all his work is phenomenal.
posted by elendil71 at 4:40 PM on May 8

Don't Fade Away by Dead Can Dance.

Disturbance by The Legendary Pink Dots.

Wicker Man Song by Nature and Organisation.

I highly recommend these three especially for both relaxing and inspiring. You should be able to find them easily enough via Google or iTunes. If not, MeMail me and I'll help you out.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:11 PM on May 8

Eluvium - Copia
posted by Think_Long at 5:40 PM on May 8

Embryonic Journey, from Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane

Bron-Yr-Aur, from Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin

Dee 'n' A, from Wooden Smoke by Mike Keneally

Arizona Skies, from Kiko by Los Lobos

Mistress of Storms, from Charity of the Night by Bruce Cockburn

Rainbirds, from Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits

I don't know his individual pieces enough to recommend a particular title, but any Erik Satie would be worth checking out.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:54 PM on May 8

Ludovico Einaudi in general is fantastic soothing / inspiring background music for when I'm writing, if it helps any. If you're only going to pick one piece of his, "Le Onde" (youtube link) is probably his most famous as well as one of his best.

(And if you have any issues tracking his work down via iTunes, I'd be surprised.)
posted by sailoreagle at 6:21 PM on May 8

wow thanks everyone, those are great! Im definitely finding some perfect songs for the CD here. Keep em coming !!! :)
posted by osloheart at 6:35 PM on May 8

Erik Satie - Gymnopedie No. 1
posted by ageispolis at 6:45 PM on May 8

Gonzales - Album title is Solo Piano.
posted by PercussivePaul at 7:14 PM on May 8

For piano stuff, try Yann Tiersen. He composed the soundtracks for Amelie and Goodbye Lenin, and his music is emotional and breathtaking and inspiring (and instrumental, if that matters).
posted by alona at 3:19 AM on May 9

For guitar: Anji and Classical Gas are both energizing for me.
posted by RussHy at 4:14 AM on May 9

For guitar music, try almost anything from Rodrigo y Gabriella.
posted by lpsguy at 8:04 AM on May 11

Eluvium's Copia is a great recommendation, but I also want to add An Accidental Memory in Case of Death, which was written and performed entirely on the piano. There's also Miniatures, which is billed under Eluvium's real name, Matthew Robert Cooper.
posted by NemesisVex at 1:29 PM on May 11