THE CONCISE THEREMIN (for best results, read in Russian accent) Who invented? LEV SERGEYEVICH TERMEN (Leon Theremin) 1896-1993 What is? World's first fully electronic instrument. Invented 1919. What is big deal? Only instrument played without being touched. Look and sound magical. What Physics? Principle: Heterodyne (hetero -different, dyne - forces) Two different forces combine to create third force. How Works? Two Antennae: Straight vertical-controls pitch. Looped horizontal-controls volume. Each generates magnetic field. When hands interrupt fields, oscillating circuits inside (one at fixed frequency, one at variable frequency) react. Hands acting as capacitor, cause variable frequency to drop, creating new third frequency which is being matehematical difference between the first two - when directed through amplifier, makes ethereal, almost human vocal sound. Is Fun? You bet. Hard to play? Easy to play? Much debate. Some say hard. Some say easy. Real answer is BOTH. Plain fact: all instruments difficult at first. Lots of practice to play ANY instrument well. One Approach Create sonic textures, soundscapes. Called "free-form" and "electro" and "ambient" and "spacemusic." Can require as much practice and skill as more conventional music. Another Approach Precision playing of scores and established melodies. Requires mastery over pitches, rhythms, articulations. Success with dilligent practice. A Few Theremin Myths Bunk, & Baloney: BALONEY: Merely think music you want to play, wave hands, and music happens. MYTH: Is a theremin in the original Star Trek theme. BUNK: Instrument very expensive. MYTH: Theremin was kidnapped. BALONEY: Very few people play. BUNK: Is silly novelty as opposed to being a "real" musical instrument. Curious? Love to play? contact. Theremin000Look Directing000Writing000Home