Theremin - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MacGuyver · 07-15-2006, 08:11 PM

I remember how the Theremin came up not too long ago and I just stumbled upon this vid on youtube so I figured I'd share.

But holy crap I have no idea how thats played. The technique looks similar to a stringed instrument except no strings. Im not very familiar with Theremin at all and have only even heard of it a couple times, this is my first sighting really. Interesting indeed, enjoy!

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e6bSRcRAhnc"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e6bSRcRAhnc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

pornclerk · 07-15-2006, 08:44 PM

I think what it does is pick up the vibrations in his voice and projects it through his hand into the instrument. The way he moves his hand could mean that he is altering the way he wants it to sound. It seems as though it's an electronic instrument. That's just my best guess!

Ok I decided to look it up and I was way off. Check it out on Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

cj2112 · 07-15-2006, 09:09 PM

I thought this one was pretty cool

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eNl8qq-f1F0"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eNl8qq-f1F0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

captobvious · 07-15-2006, 10:05 PM

That's amazing! Just playing the theremin is hard enough itself. It's an electronic instrument. One hand controls volume and the other controls pitch. The two change based on the proximity of the hands to the two antennas, so the player essentially appears to be picking notes out of the air.

What makes the video even more incredible is the fact that the guy is recording everything he plays, looping it, and layering on top of it. It's similar to what KT Tunstall does in her song Black Horse and the Cherry Tree. If you follow the link to YouTube, he does mention that the vocal part was added later which is understandable. I've never heard anyone actually sing while playing the theremin.

Lak · 07-19-2006, 04:10 AM

Bwahahaha, thats fuckin awesome. Harmony-complete rendition of Dont Worry Be Happy on the theremin. Ultimate. I'm very pleased to see I've picked up some interest in the theremin. Heres the vid I mentioned in the other post:

Lydia Kavina plays Clair de Lune
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.com/v/Xn4TgYkqdi8"></param><embed src="http://youtube.com/v/Xn4TgYkqdi8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

STILL waiting for mine to arrive (good fucking gravy, so much waiting).

avernus · 07-19-2006, 06:23 AM

My mate made one of these things for his final year project. His dissertation is available here:
http://www.theremin.rwi.org.uk/
I skimmed the pdf, has a short but interesting introduction.

07-15-2006, 08:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
MacGuyver You're going to have to trust me! Location: Massachusetts	Theremin I remember how the Theremin came up not too long ago and I just stumbled upon this vid on youtube so I figured I'd share. But holy crap I have no idea how thats played. The technique looks similar to a stringed instrument except no strings. Im not very familiar with Theremin at all and have only even heard of it a couple times, this is my first sighting really. Interesting indeed, enjoy! <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e6bSRcRAhnc"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e6bSRcRAhnc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> __________________ We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. ---Aristotle Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me. ---John Fletcher

07-15-2006, 08:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
pornclerk Insane Location: Ontario, Canada	I think what it does is pick up the vibrations in his voice and projects it through his hand into the instrument. The way he moves his hand could mean that he is altering the way he wants it to sound. It seems as though it's an electronic instrument. That's just my best guess! Ok I decided to look it up and I was way off. Check it out on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin __________________ Who wants a twig when you can have the whole tree? Last edited by pornclerk; 07-15-2006 at 08:49 PM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

07-19-2006, 04:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lak Insane Location: New Zealand	Bwahahaha, thats fuckin awesome. Harmony-complete rendition of Dont Worry Be Happy on the theremin. Ultimate. I'm very pleased to see I've picked up some interest in the theremin. Heres the vid I mentioned in the other post: Lydia Kavina plays Clair de Lune <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.com/v/Xn4TgYkqdi8"></param><embed src="http://youtube.com/v/Xn4TgYkqdi8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> STILL waiting for mine to arrive (good fucking gravy, so much waiting). __________________ ignorance really is bliss.

07-19-2006, 06:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
avernus Crazy Location: Bath, UK	My mate made one of these things for his final year project. His dissertation is available here: http://www.theremin.rwi.org.uk/ I skimmed the pdf, has a short but interesting introduction. __________________ I like to browse in occult bookshops if for no other reason than to refresh my commitment to science. -- Heinz Pagels, "The Dreams of Reason"

07-15-2006, 09:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	I thought this one was pretty cool <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eNl8qq-f1F0"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eNl8qq-f1F0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

07-15-2006, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
captobvious Insane Location: Somewhere	That's amazing! Just playing the theremin is hard enough itself. It's an electronic instrument. One hand controls volume and the other controls pitch. The two change based on the proximity of the hands to the two antennas, so the player essentially appears to be picking notes out of the air. What makes the video even more incredible is the fact that the guy is recording everything he plays, looping it, and layering on top of it. It's similar to what KT Tunstall does in her song Black Horse and the Cherry Tree. If you follow the link to YouTube, he does mention that the vocal part was added later which is understandable. I've never heard anyone actually sing while playing the theremin.