Theremin


I just saw it today on tv, and as I never heard of it before, I was immediatly captivated by it's nature! The Theremin is an instrument without an instrument. Well, actually it is an electronic instrument and the special trick is, that the one who plays it doesn't touch it! It consists of a box with two wires, one straight and one horizontal loop. Up/down movements make the tone higher/lower, and moving away from or close to the loop increases/decreases the volume. You can play it with every body part, but usually the hands are used. Cool thin gfor physically deformed people, I'd say! As long as they are musically talented.
The Theremin has been invented in the 30's by a russian inventor, Leon Theremin (see the friendly looking gentleman pictured below in portray and playing the theramin).

To play this instrument, you need to have the perfect pitch (absolutes Gehör). Apparently it's very difficult to play, but I'd be up to this challenge! The tv documentary featured a girl who's main instrument is the viola, buit she's also a theraminist; only drawback: she can only have lessons once a year as it is rare and there are few teachers (who I assume are quite busy). Amazing!
If you know where and how I could get to try it, let me know. I guess my > 10 year violin and trumpet experience is sufficient to qualify for a try *blink, blink* Pleeaasseee! I'm eager.... :)

Here's a quote nicked of http://theremin.info/
" In 1918,a Soviet scientist named Leon Theremin invented the
world's first electronic musical instrument. It was an instrument
so different to those that had gone before that it had no strings,
pipes, or keys. in fact, the player didn't even have to touch the
instrument to play it.

The 'Theremin', as it came to be known, captured the
imagination of the world, and was soon featuring in magazines,
on the airwaves, and in film.

The rest is history... "


Posted: So - April 25, 2004 at 06:13 Uhr      

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