Underwater Cave - Microtonal VGM

I have borrowed a motif from my Ice Cave VGM track that I published not long ago.  This time I applied a microtonal inflection to the motif (in 24 TET).  The environment would require the player to go cave-diving during this music.  I tried to make the piece sound watery through the use of Alto Flute and a low Vibraphone (played by Lumatone) ostinato.  The idea that prompted the creation of this track was to layer on top of each other heterophonically or polyphonically different microtonal variations of the same motif.  Let me know what you think and whether I've succeeded!  I welcome any of your comments, suggestions, critiques, or just observations.  Thanks for listening!

Certainly a very water-like feel to this. Almost hypnotizing! I definitely am getting a very claustrophobic vibe. But in a way, this sorta reminds me of Mario 64's water theme. The moods are completely different, but textures are similar. Your music is much more complex especially with the microtones, and more focused on atmosphere, whereas Nintendo's version focuses on melody. But both pieces of music achieve their intended effects!

16 minutes ago, chopin said:

Certainly a very water-like feel to this. Almost hypnotizing!

Thanks!  As intended!  Haha

16 minutes ago, chopin said:

But in a way, this sorta reminds me of Mario 64's water theme. The moods are completely different, but textures are similar.

Yeah I can hear that.  But I thought for sure that you would say that it reminds you of the Zelda: A Link to the Past cave music because of the col legno strings:

Thanks for your review!

Ah nice catch. That one brings back memories!

Hey Peter,

I like the peaceful mood you portrayed and the microtone really fits the underworld setting. I love the sound of the col legno here, they sound like the ants or underground monsters, but I am not sure it will sound like this when played in real life! Love the alto flute as well! Thx for sharing!

Henry

The string pizz. reminded me of this. It's kind of unrelated, but you might dig it if I haven't already shown it to you lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dPpbYlW0pQ&list=PL1649A3A736810FFC&index=4

This is really cool, I think the instrumentation is wise as well. It doesn't have the sense of wonder like the Donkey Kong music, it's more foreboding to me. Maybe like exploring the wreckage of a sunken ship, or scanning for alien-like creatures at the depths of the ocean floor. Very mysterious and tranquil, but still the sense of danger. 

I think the lumatone gets a bit repetitive, maybe it's just me? I suppose some spots you could crank the dynamics way down, or break up the flow of it during one of the string parts. I'm just imagining it being looped, but if it's background enough I think it works. The part itself IS very cool, it really works with the microtonal writing. Idiomatic and picturesque. 

Just initial impressions! I'm still not convinced of microtonal music, but I admire your journey and like your writing style with it. 🙂