Theremin Appreciation Thread

Phollop Willing PA · Post by **Phollop Willing PA** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:40 pm

Okay, whose got one and how do you use it?

This guy's funny...

If you don't have one, why not?

There's some other pics with people playing the Theremin, but the one I wanted to post was NSFW.

Cheers

Big Gnome · Post by **Big Gnome** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:34 pm

I've got a small one, although I haven't worked it into any music yet. I've been finding it almost prohibitively difficult to play, but it produces some terrific, warped drones with distortion and various effects. If I ever learn well enough to play real music with it, I think it would sound cool in unison or harmonized with a guitar. They're cool instruments, I'd love to hear more of them outside of gimmicky B-grade science fiction movie effects.

Post by **nathanscribe** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:08 pm

My Etherwave has spent most of its life hiding behind other things. When I got it I did spent a while learning to play a semi-passable scale by playing along to a slow arpeggio on a Juno, trying out different hand movements to reach nearby notes. I gave up though, and never went back to it. Since then it's been out once or twice for sound effects and the sheer pleasure of waving one's arms around and making funny noises, but I wish I had the deditaction to be able to play it musically.

I gave up on the cello too. That's also harder than prodding buttons. Oh well. Must be lazy.

ned-ryarson · Post by **ned-ryarson** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:42 pm

Phollop Willing PA wrote:This guy's funny...

jesus whos that loon?

ned-ryarson · Post by **ned-ryarson** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:44 pm

[quote="nathanscribe"]My Etherwave has spent most of its life hiding behind other things.
quote]

ill buy it, seriously

Post by **madtheory** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:47 pm

I was all fired up to post positivity about Theremin, but that video put me off. Give me a few minutes...

Johnny Lenin · Post by **Johnny Lenin** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:49 pm

I don't have one, but I've always wanted one. I'm fascinated by the instrument from a historical perspective and I love the sound, though I have no illusions that I could play it. I keep thinking about buying a kit to build myself, but I've just never gotten around to it.

Phollop Willing PA · Post by **Phollop Willing PA** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:26 pm

Just in case and Theremin related which I referred to in the cheap analogue thread:

(caution slightly NSFW).

http://www.subgenius.com/bigfist/fun/de ... eremin.jpg

I would've posted it directly but I don' know what the boundary is here on VSE.

By the way, what's the difference between a singing frog and a thereminist?

A singing frog is most likely on the way to a gig.

Sexor · Post by **Sexor** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:38 pm

I had a Big Briar theremin on a long term loan last year and got a bit of practice on it. My ten years of violin training as a kid finally found some use!

I'm thinking of getting the Moog kit this month as it seems reasonably priced.

Automatic Gainsay · Post by **Automatic Gainsay** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:17 pm

I have an RCA theremin, but it is missing both antennae and hasn't been switched on since the 50s or so!
It actually belongs to one of my friends whose ex-wife insisted it out of her house. They're no longer married, but he still hasn't taken it back. I'm hoping he has forgotten. : ) (How could he forget, you ask? Simple... he's a drummer!)
I would love to get it going again, but as it is not mine, I don't want to invest money in it...

MrFrodo · Post by **MrFrodo** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:31 pm

I've only ever imagined owning one, so my post may not count. Not a priority, yet.

If I did, I'd love to have one built with reversed antanae. Then, it'd be easier to play like a guitar or bass. You'd make hand motions with your right hand similar to plucking a string. And, you'd make motions with your left hand like you're moving up and down a fingerboard.

I've seen that done in clippings from the Moog documentary.

clubbedtodeath · Post by **clubbedtodeath** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:20 pm

Phollop Willing PA wrote:I would've posted it directly but I don' know what the boundary is here on VSE.

Glad you didn't, that could've got me in trouble at work...!

What I want to know is: will she get two notes? And does she get vibrato when she jiggles?

Phollop Willing PA · Post by **Phollop Willing PA** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:32 pm

MrFrodo wrote:I've only ever imagined owning one, so my post may not count. Not a priority, yet.

If I did, I'd love to have one built with reversed antanae. Then, it'd be easier to play like a guitar or bass. You'd make hand motions with your right hand similar to plucking a string. And, you'd make motions with your left hand like you're moving up and down a fingerboard.

I've seen that done in clippings from the Moog documentary.

FYI the right hand controls pitch (the closer you get to the antennae and the left hand controls volume closer to the antennae.

I saw that Moog documentary and she was closing the volume path as though she was plucking it - but it was show.

And even cats can play them:

Post by **madtheory** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:59 pm

I have the Paia Theremax Theremin, set up for a south paw, i.e. pitch on the left, amplitude on the right. Easily reversed. I can play simple melodies. IMO the hardest part for any budding theremin player is articulating the notes, i.e. shaping them with the amplitude antenna.

My Paia Theremin review is here:
http://www.madtheory.com/Theremin.html

MrFrodo · Post by **MrFrodo** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:23 am

Really? I wouldn't have thought of that. How long have you been using the Paia, madtheory?