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Examples of microtonality in Pop, VGM or Film music?

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So you might not suspect it, but microtonality is actually much more common than you'd think!  When blues singers and soloists bend their notes up or down, they're using microtonality.  When Pop singers accidentally sing a little bit out of tune, it's microtonality (even though it might not be deliberate).  When out of tune sound effects happen in VGM or Film music that are just part of the vibe, it's microtonality.  When string instruments do glissandi or guitars are played with a slide or a bend, it's microtonality  So don't be shy and bring on any example you can think of that exemplifies microtonality!  Here's my example from Chrono Trigger, the classic RPG for the Super Nintendo.  This is the music that plays during 2,300 A.D. and is called "Ruined World":

The microtonality in question can be heard in the background sound effect of what I presume to be a set of metallic cans being hit against each other.

9 hours ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

So don't be shy and bring on any example you can think of that exemplifies microtonality!

When I sing a note wrong in the Karaoke or Choir.

Indeed!
In the traditional music of my country (Spain) and the whole Mediterranean area (North Africa, Balkans, etc...) microtonality is something normal.
And there are artists who are able to transfer it to pop.
This is the case of Diana Navarro, an incredible voice. In the first phrase you can already perceive the microtonality. But if you listen to her until the end ...... Amazing.

If you don't want to listen to the whole track, skip to 2:55, for example.

 

  • Author

I found an example in Film Music of a slow, half tone string glissando which spends a considerable amount of time in quarter-tone territory:  Snape to Malfoy Manor from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:

 

  • 2 weeks later...
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Another VGM track that I found that uses microtonality (I think it uses the quarter-tone scale):  Shattered Pixel Dungeon Prison Music:

 

  • 1 month later...
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Found a really pertinent YT video about this topic:  Cadence Hira's "6 Levels of MICROTONES (in Video Game Music)":

 

It's probably not exactly what you're looking for with "Microtonality" in the strictest sense, but there are some rock songs that are 1/4 step down.

This is probably the result of tape speed and not actually intentional, though. As I recall some of Danger Danger and I think Pantera's albums have this going on.

  • 10 months later...
  • Author

Kirby Super Star OST - Trees in the Depths of the Earth

 

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