Among the earliest electronic instruments, the theremin was a standout in how it could be played without any physical contact. In this article, we break down what a theremin is, how it works by harnessing the power of electromagnetic interference, and how you can explore its distinctive sound firsthand. In the volume-control circuit, one or two high-frequency oscillators are used, whose combined signal is routed first through another nonlinear mixer before being sent to a filter. A band-pass filter is sometimes used instead of a low-pass filter because the former gives the instrument a greater dynamic range and makes the volume response more sensitive to smaller hand motions.

The signal is subsequently routed through a voltage-controlled amplifier before being sent to the audio output, which is typically an external speaker. If the pitch hand is moved between notes, without first lowering the volume hand, the result is a “swooping” sound akin to a swanee whistle or a glissando played on the violin. Small flutters of the pitch hand can be https://p1nup.in/ used to produce a vibrato effect. To produce distinct notes requires a pecking action with the volume hand to mute the volume while the pitch hand moves between positions. The very first was an orchestral piece called Symphonic Mystery by Andrei Paschenko, which was premiered in 1924.

How a Theremin Works

These antennas capacitively sense the relative position of the hands and control oscillators for frequency with one hand, and amplitude (volume) with the other. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker. Music researchers estimate that there are more than 1,500 musical instruments in the world. And out of all of these, there’s seemingly only one that can be played without physically touching it—the eerily-sounding, hypnotic-looking theremin. While it has been around for about a century, many believe it still has plenty of untapped potential. The music created by the theremin is as unique as its history, and its possibilities have inspired musicians across genres and generations.

With only two antennae to manipulate, the theremin seems like it would be a breeze to play. In the hands of a master, the theremin can sing with the precision, vibrato and depth of a seasoned mezzo-soprano. When operated by a novice, on the other hand, it produces little more than earsplitting blats and squawks. In 1967, Paul Tanner invented electrotheremin, an instrument that mimics the sounds of the theremin, and is responsible for the high-pitched sound on “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys. Below, we’ll list three of the most important players in theremin history.

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Silvia Alonso-Pérez ( ) is a professor in the department of industrial engineering at the University of La Laguna in the Canary Islands, Spain. Endlessly eerie and magnificently mysterious, the theremin has inspired musicians, scientists, makers and artists for generations — and will, no doubt, continue to do so for generations to come. With no complicated chords or fingerings, at first glance, the theremin seems like it should be a cinch to play. So why do many enthusiasts consider it the world’s most difficult instrument? The theremin was the product of Soviet government-sponsored research into proximity sensors. Get access to handy tools to help you better manage your money, so you can stay in control of your spending and saving – all from the convenience of an app.

The history of the theremin

But most of the sheet music for the piece was lost after its second performance. Other early 20th century concert composers who have written for theremin include Bohuslav Martinů, Percy Grainger, Edgard Varèse and Dmitri Shostakovich, who used it to evoke a snowstorm in his score for the 1931 Soviet film, Odna. As a classically-trained cellist, Theremin saw the oscillator’s potential as a musical instrument. Later he held a private demonstration for Lenin and Einstein, before coming to the USA, where he patented the device. Theremins with fixed volume controls may be somewhat easier to play since they only have one antenna. The mixer produces the audio-range difference between the frequencies of the two oscillators at each moment, which is the tone that is then wave shaped and amplified and sent to a loudspeaker.

Other quirky instruments

Once he’s mastered those basics, he can progress to adding vibrato and dynamics to his playing. A real theremin master can make an instrument soar with the fortissimo of Pavarotti or fade to the most delicate of whispers. If you want to learn even more about the art of theremin playing, take a look at our article How to Play a Theremin. Defined as an electronic instrument, the theremin has a deceptively simple appearance. Most models consist of a box with two metal tubes; one standing straight above the box, and the other curved, attached to the opposite side of the box in a U-shape. This set-up produces oscillations at two sound-wave frequencies above the range of human hearing.

Theremin, electronic musical instrument invented in 1920 in the Soviet Union by Leon Theremin (also called Lev Termen). It consists of a box with radio tubes producing oscillations at two sound-wave frequencies above the range of hearing; together, they produce a lower audible frequency equal to the difference in their rates of vibration. Pitch is controlled by moving the hand or a baton toward or away from an antenna at the right rear of the box. Harmonics, or component tones, of the sound can be filtered out, allowing production of several tone colours over a range of six octaves.

The frequency of the other oscillator is almost identical, and is controlled by the performer’s distance from the pitch control antenna. Each of the theremin’s two antennae are connected to circuits that oscillate at radio frequency; one oscillator’s frequency is fixed, while the other’s is variable. When the thereminist uses their body to interfere with the electromagnetic field, the instrument measures the difference between the fixed and the variable oscillators, and translates this difference to a pitch (or amplitude). Analog and digital theremins differ significantly in their tonal character.

• In the volume-control circuit, one or two high-frequency oscillators are used, whose combined signal is routed first through another nonlinear mixer before being sent to a filter.
• Though many people see it as a novelty primarily used to create horror-movie soundtracks, you can play many styles of music on the theremin.
• Even Harrison, however, warns against the dangers involved with building these devices, which use lethal AC voltages.
• Close to the resonant frequency of the antenna circuit, the effective inductance is small, and the effect on the oscillator is greatest; farther from it, the effective inductance is larger, and fractional change on the oscillator is reduced.
• Theremins with fixed volume controls may be somewhat easier to play since they only have one antenna.

The theremin is distinguished among musical instruments in that it is played without physical contact. The thereminist stands in front of the instrument and moves their hands in the proximity of two metal antennas. While commonly called antennas, they are not used as radio antennae for receiving or broadcasting radio waves, but rather act as plates of capacitors. The distance from one antenna determines frequency (pitch), and the distance from the other controls amplitude (volume).

How to Play the Theremin

• As a classically-trained cellist, Theremin saw the oscillator’s potential as a musical instrument.
• Since a simple fluttering of fingers is all it takes to make noise on a Theremin, it seems like the Theremin would be a cinch to play.
• Although current technology can approximate that ideal sound, the dexterous hands of skilled performers like Theremin himself are still required to achieve sonic excellence.
• Each of the theremin’s two antennae are connected to circuits that oscillate at radio frequency; one oscillator’s frequency is fixed, while the other’s is variable.
• The theremin is an eerie-sounding instrument that you can play by using your hands to disturb an electromagnetic field created by its two antennae.

With royalty-free sample packs like Theremin Explorations with hYrtis, you can take lyrical melodies, layered arrangements, and effected atmospheres created with the instrument and use them in your own productions. Roughly four decades before Stevie Wonder and the Doors began incorporating electronic synthesizers into their music, another electronic instrument took the world by storm. Demonstrated by the Russian physicist, inventor, and musician Leon Theremin in 1920, the unique device came to carry its creator’s name. It was brought to market by RCA in 1929 and was the first commercially available electronic instrument.

Positioning Your Hands and Body

The theremin works by harnessing the power of electromagnetic interference. The human body is a capacitor; our bodies conduct electricity, and can store electric charges (as you might know if you’ve ever tried to pet your fluffy cat after shuffling your feet along a carpet while wearing socks). Learn about the Shepard tone, a popular auditory illusion that tricks your brain into thinking a sound is always rising or falling in pitch. Although volume technique is less developed than pitch technique, some thereminists have worked to extend it, especially Pamelia Kurstin with her “walking bass” technique24 and Rupert Chappelle. In fact, the theremin is notorious as one of the hardest instruments to master. Start a conversation with us and an ever-growing community of other music creators via the Splice Discord.

As the hand approaches the antenna, the capacitance increases, which changes the frequency of the alternating current in a circuit and results in a higher pitch. Specifically, the change in capacitance—typically only a few picofarads—changes the frequency of a variable oscillator. That oscillator and one of fixed frequency form the pitch-control circuit. Both oscillators typically consist of a capacitor and an inductor connected in parallel.