How to play the theremin

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Ian Pegler
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How to play the theremin

Post by Ian Pegler »

Slightly OT but fun...from the BBC...
How to play the theremin

The sound of the theremin is most familiar from Hitchcock and science fiction soundtracks, and a version features in Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys.
CLICK HERE for the video article.

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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by Helen-Healing »

Extraordinary!! I'd never heard of it before!
I still don't really understand how it works :oops: but I expect those of you who are less technically challenged than I, will!

:mrgreen:
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by mike »

BET I would be a natural playing that, the X wife always says you talk with your hands not your mouth....Loved the video, sure its something I could do with passion, and you might find a kit in Maplins :mrgreen:
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by Ian Pegler »

Do they make left-handed ones? That's what I want to know.

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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by simonwheeler »

Maybe you just stand on the other side?! :lol: :oops: :twisted:
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by Grahame »

Ian Pegler wrote:Do they make left-handed ones? That's what I want to know.
Yep - here's one...



:mrgreen:
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by arthur hamlin »

Just wondering where anything is written to describe how it works and whether two people can be playing it at the same time?
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by Grahame »

arthur hamlin wrote:Just wondering where anything is written to describe how it works and whether two people can be playing it at the same time?
It's something to do with interference patterns between two radio frequency oscillators, Arthur; here is a brief explanation, and here are some more detailed video tutorials

It actually came out of Russian spy research to develop a proximity sensor. A fascinating instrument all round. There's a whole world of theremin enthusiasts out there on the internet - how about this video of a duet between a theremin and Vulcan harp? :shock:

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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by Helen-Healing »

That Vulcan Harp's a blast - it really is out of Star Trek!!! :shock:
Pity the vid didn't show the theremin being played though.

There's a chap in Llandindrod Wells (link broken) that makes them to specification.
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by Ian Pegler »

And now my favourite theremin solo...and a great home-made pop-video...

The Damned - Absinthe (YouTube)


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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by mike »

GOT to have one of those,must be better than paper and comb, which is the level of musical intruments I have mastered so far :roll: Wonder what they cost,bet Maplins have a circuit for it, plus the extended ariel and copper loop other end,thanks for the details,love to make one up. :lol:
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by simonwheeler »

Theremin world record set in Japan
From the BBC Asia world news site
Japan's musicians have set a new world record for the biggest number of players on the theremin - the musical instrument used without being touched.
In the central city of Hamamatsu, 272 people performed at a concert
Unfortunately (??), no video or audio of the event on the BBC site... And I can't find such evidence anywhere. Yet.
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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by ledgehammer »

Big bang fans will know it:



the same principles were applied in devising this new instrument:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... s9jYvJYsTA (link broken)


Enjoy

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Re: How to play the theremin

Post by Grahame »

Simon Wheeler wrote:Unfortunately (??), no video or audio of the event on the BBC site... And I can't find such evidence anywhere. Yet.
I knew I'd seen this somewhere, and just managed to unearth the video of the event - 273 musicians playing the unusual 'personal' theremin, the 'Matryomin'. As one commenter says, 'close your eyes and imagine a ceremony of bees saying goodbye to a fallen comrade':



And here's another video of the ensemble playing 'Ode to Joy' from Beethoven's 9th (love the boogie version!):

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