Synthoid Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Well, let's just say I attempted to play a Theremin--that's more accurate. Some of you may recall my post awhile back about a local high school marching band using a Theremin in their Star Trek themed half-time shows. I gave the school a call and set up an appointment with the band director to check out the Theremin. The unit the school purchased is a base model with only one antenna for pitch, so there's no volume control. It was set up in a soundproof practice room... I quickly found out why. Anyway, after giving me a quick demo, the band director went back to his office after shutting the practice room door so I wouldn't disturb anyone. It took me awhile, but I was able to coax a very basic melody out of it. It's definitely an instrument that requires a lot of practice (and patience). I doubt I'd buy one, but it was an interesting experience. Anyone else here on the forum played one? When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIDI2XS Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I played one once, perhaps as well as you did. Not having a means of controlling volume seems like a handicap, particularly if you haven't mastered hand position versus pitch. There's nothing quite like hunting around for a note while at full volume... Anyone who would like to see/hear one played well should Google "Clara Rockmore". Yamaha: Motif XF6 and XS6, A3000V2, A4000, YS200 | Korg: T3EX, 05R/W | Fender Chroma Polaris | Roland U-220 | Etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I played a 2 antenna one once, with humbling results. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 +1 Moe, +1. It's kinda funny when you think you've got it figured out, and then all of a sudden something totally different happens. Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 There's a reason why there aren't theremin virtuosos on every corner. I've had an Etherwave for 10 years and still can't play the damn thing. 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted September 27, 2013 Author Share Posted September 27, 2013 Not having a means of controlling volume seems like a handicap, particularly if you haven't mastered hand position versus pitch. There's nothing quite like hunting around for a note while at full volume. Well, the unit I played was plugged into a floor amp set at a low volume. Plus, the sound-proof room helped a lot. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 There's a reason why there aren't theremin virtuosos on every corner. I've had an Etherwave for 10 years and still can't play the damn thing. But who would want to hear it? I've heard it used in the Star Trek theme (original), along with Good Vibrations and a few horror movies. What else is it good for? Theremins are the reason why cats and/or dogs urinate on keyboards. I'm certain of this. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted September 27, 2013 Author Share Posted September 27, 2013 I've heard it used in the Star Trek theme (original) Actually, that was a women's voice... someone else told me that as well. I just found this quote online: "The melody of the theme of Star Trek: The Original Series was actually never played on a theremin. A soprano singer emulated its signature sound." When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDP Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I saw E Costello & his band a couple years ago on TV (Austin City Limits, maybe). Steve Nieve played a killer solo on one, he had it sitting atop his EP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I've heard it used in the Star Trek theme (original) Actually, that was a women's voice... someone else told me that as well. I just found this quote online: "The melody of the theme of Star Trek: The Original Series was actually never played on a theremin. A soprano singer emulated its signature sound." Hmmmmmm... OK. I've heard it used with Good Vibrations and a few horror movies. What else is it good for? "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDP Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Theremin wasn't used on Good Vibrations either: http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/02/07/171385175/no-it-wasn-t-a-theremin-on-good-vibrations-remembering-paul-tanner It was Paul Tanners instrument....this was also heard in "My Favorite Martian" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 What else is it good for? May as well listen to the master. [video:youtube] Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 She should have made an appearance in one of those old black & white Boris Karloff movies. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDP Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 She's really good, I like her showmanship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 A modern master. Lydia Kavina 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opdigits Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I wonder, just for the sake of adding more meaningless trivial knowledge to my meaningless trivial knowledge bank, what is the total number of human beings ever who have actually played theremins? Nobody told me there'd be days like these... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Go get one! The Gakken is tiny, but effective. Theremin store 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Theremin wasn't used on Good Vibrations either: http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/02/07/171385175/no-it-wasn-t-a-theremin-on-good-vibrations-remembering-paul-tanner It was Paul Tanners instrument....this was also heard in "My Favorite Martian" Hmmmmmm... OK. I've heard it used in a few horror movies. What else is it good for? Oh, forget it! "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Sorry to keep after y'all about this, but it's really kind of cool. If you're a synth person, you're a theremin person. RCATheremin.com 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 Sorry to keep after y'all about this, but it's really kind of cool. If you're a synth person, you're a theremin person. Yes, that's true--it was fun to try it. But like I said before, I'm not planning on buying a Theremin in the near future. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phnymiboy Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Jerry Lewis meets the Theremin (1956) Can someone tell me how to embed a video? Nothing seems to work. Oy! http://bigfun3.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/BigFunThree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIDI2XS Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Can someone tell me how to embed a video? Nothing seems to work. Oy! This might work, but replace the "x" with a "v" in two places: [xideo:youtube] [/xideo] Yamaha: Motif XF6 and XS6, A3000V2, A4000, YS200 | Korg: T3EX, 05R/W | Fender Chroma Polaris | Roland U-220 | Etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Stranger Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Jerry Lewis meets the Theremin (1956) [video:youtube] Can someone tell me how to embed a video? Nothing seems to work. Oy! Fixed. PCLinuxOS user Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phnymiboy Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Jerry Lewis meets the Theremin (1956) [video:youtube] Can someone tell me how to embed a video? Nothing seems to work. Oy! Thanks, Lone and Midi. Fixed. Thanks! http://bigfun3.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/BigFunThree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morizzle Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Does anyone have experience with a cheapo one? Is it worth the 100 bucks? http://www.thomann.de/gb/widara_distant_voices_theremin.htm It's not a clone, it's a Suzuki. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Is it worth the 100 bucks? I'd spend a little more and get an instrument. Just to mess with, the little Gakken may be all you need. Gakken Premium 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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