Tired of your old traditional Mozart and classical music? Want to try something different?  Why not listen to some video game music?

This list of top five video game music contains the most relaxing music suitable for a study environment. Relaxing music is not limited to classical music on a piano. The best musical pieces can come from many gaming consoles and from different musical instruments.

5. “Kingdom Hearts” – “Dearly Beloved” – Yoko Shimomura

This piano piece, released on Mar. 27, 2002, plays simple notes with soft synthesizer notes in the background to induce a soothing feeling. As a result, this song produces relaxation and a feeling of achievement. That feeling of entering into a new world can help with learning new material for school. The rhythmic echo by the piano makes the piece a remarkable success.

4.  “Super Mario 64” – “Dire, Dire, Docks” – Koji Kondo

The keyboard piano comes alive with this mesmerizing music released Nov. 1, 1996. The lively tempo places the listener on a boat ride with perfect timing on harmonies. Kondo creates a quiet tone by the volume’s softness. For music used in a water stage, this music excites and relaxes at the same time.

3. “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” – “Dragon Roost Island” – Kenta Nagata

This piece combines flutes, string instruments, and castanets to create an upbeat, happy tune. The notes played by the guitar and bass are sharp, quickly played notes that add the feeling of a swinging boat. The castanets add a Spanish cultural twist, creating a steady beat that feels more exotic. This video game music is for those adventurous listeners who like to hear something different from a piano.

2. “Braid” – “Tell It By Heart” – Jami Sieber

This song is available not only in the video game Braid but also as a CD in “Second Sight” released in 1998.  When listening to this song, the cello solo parts in the beginning may sound awkward, but they introduce the song as the guitar, accordion, and other pieces come into the song.  Listeners can use this song for deep meditation, because the guitar acts as the beat for the song. The instruments are used differently within this song, because the cello and accordion work together to make one unified sound.

1. “Minecraft” – “Subwoofer Lullaby” – C4

This synthesizer piece, released on Mar. 4, 2011, plays in game randomly. When the rain falls in game, the synthesizer adds more tranquility to the game. Additionally, the song moves at a peaceful tempo suitable for studies. Instead of multiple parts to the song, the synthesizer drives the whole piece by a simple melody that brings listeners to a calm state of mind.

Reggie Kwok can be reached at [email protected].