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Kiz_Paws Bag Of Trix

What The Heck Is A THEREMIN?

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kiz_paws
, 02-22-2008 at 10:23 PM (1755 Views)


Léon Theremin with his Invention

The theremin was one of the earliest fully electronic musical instruments. It was invented by a Russian inventor, named Léon Theremin in 1919. What makes the theremin unique is that it was the first musical instrument that is designed to be played without actually being touched (bear with me, that DOES sound odd, but there will be a YouTube link that will show how this works).

The controlling section consists of two metal antennae that sense the position (relatively) of the player's hands. These control audio oscillators for frequency from one hand and volume from the other hand. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and then sent to a loudspeaker.

How the theremin is played -- the player moves his/her hands around two metal antennae, which control the pitch (frequency) and the volume (amplitude). Depending on where the hands are, the variations in sound are performed.

The theremin is often associated with alien, surreal and eerie sounds, probably due to its use in soundtracks such as Mars Attacks!. An interesting note [ha ha, pardon the pun] is that the theremin was the instrument that was used in the second season opening theme of the classic Science-Fiction anthology series, The Outer Limits. As well, a TV classic, My Favorite Martian used the theremin in the music theme (composed by George Greeley). The theremin was also used whenever Uncle Martin (Ray Walston) practiced his martian powers (levitation; raising his antennae).

This Blog Entry is just an introduction to what a theremin is, and maybe samples of where they have been used. I thought to blog it today because a good friend of mine has just ordered a theremin, and I am so excited for when it will arrive. I will not be privy to trying it out, as my friend lives in Japan, but nonetheless, I am more excited than a kid in a toyshop -- I never knew anyone who owned one before! Think of the fun!

another version of the theremin.

Well, before signing off for today, I thought I'd leave you with this YouTube sample of a guy having some fun with a theremin, you can do more research if you so desire, but that's all I'll say today, aside from a sample of the instrument via good ol' YouTube.

Theremin Lesson Fun This link will take you to a really good intro to the How-To's of using the instrument.

As well, there is a fantastic performance of Claude Debussy's Claire de Lune by Lydia Kavina Kavina's Magic in this link, please check it out!

For your interest -- Lydia Kavina is widely regarded as the greatest living theremin virtuoso (being remotely related to Léon Theremin), and was Theremin's protégé. Many professional thereminists have studied under her.

Well, till the next entry, peace to everyone.

K♥z
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Comments

  1. PeterL's Avatar
    Theremins sound interesting, but I never heard anything like music from them, just interesting sounds.
  2. kiz_paws's Avatar
    If you have time, Peter, I put a link above to an expert thereminist, but you can use this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4Tg...eature=related and hear the beauty this neat invention can provide. Cheers, Kizzo
  3. ampoule's Avatar
    Very interesting Kiz. How ever did you come upon this? That's what you call ear/hand coordination. Beautiful.
  4. Petrarch's Love's Avatar
    What neat videos, Kiz! I knew what a Theramin was, and could recognize the sound of one, but I had never actually seen how it's played. I didn't know this thing about not touching the instrument. Absolutely fascinating, and really beautiful to see performed, especially the woman doing the Claire de Lune. Hope your friend in Japan has fun with it.
  5. PeterL's Avatar
    OK, that is the sort of thing that I recall theremins sounding like. They had a surge of popularity in the 1930's, and I think that i saw Mr Theremin in a demonstration film. They are interesting, and they may be very good for some music.
  6. mtpspur's Avatar
    Freely confess never heard of the thing. BUT never in my wildest dreams would I would put KizPaws and Mars Attacks together. If only the movie had been done Independence Day style--it mocked a beloved bubble gum card set from the 60s--which I sadly only have the reprinted card set thereof. The movie is painful. This invention is cool though. Another grand entry--your variety is seemingly endless. I suddenly need to see a picture of Pepper.
  7. kiz_paws's Avatar
    For mtpspur: GRANTED! Pepper shall be the next bloggaroony (to quote me & B, lol) entry! And for all who have just been exposed to the THEREMIN? Don't worry, I'd never heard of it until Jay (my bud from Japan) told me he was buying one, and had ordered it as we speak! Awesome, eh?
  8. 's Avatar
    Kiz, if I had to guess, I'd bet you worked in a lab building a super-duper spaceship or somethin.