This track had good instruments, but it just seems just really way close to desert music to me more than a secret lake theme. It's not necessarily a limitation of choosing the Phrygian mode itself but more of the way it was presented.
Like you don't have to use all of the notes, just the ones that seem to support what you're going for. It's easy to fall into a trap because Phrygian and associated modes are stereotypically associated with desert music - but in reality they are so much more nuanced than that, and choosing the notes in the mode carefully (not using all the notes) can result in a stronger piece, if the composer is aware of how to use them.
I would recommend experimenting with the Phrygian mode again, but slower, and not using all the notes. can you find something interesting when you take away notes as opposed to using everything?
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I get what you say, this submission got out of hands for me in the theme composition and mixing haha, it went more desertic sound than oriental than what I expected haha but it was a very fun experience, I used pryhgian but also melodic minor in the Db pedal note, not sure I agree overall with you take on the use of the phrygian because I approached this from the melody more than the selection of notes but I really appreciate you feedback and gives me a lot to think when approaching this kind of compositions, thanks for listening and for your feedback! :D