(Or 'what is it and how does it work?)

As you can imagine, often when I perform I get asked "What is it? How does it work? Is it magic?!" etc. So for all the curious out there, I've put together my own layman's guide to the theremin. For more specialist and technical info you could check out the websites Theremin World or Theremin Info.

What is a theremin?
The theremin is an electronic musical instrument. They vary in size, design and features but all are identical in the basic way they are constructed and played.  It is one of the first ever electronic instruments invented and dates back to the 1920s and it is also the only instrument which you play totally without touching anything.

How does it work?
The theremin works on the principal of ether waves (like radio waves) which control the way sensors in the human body effect an electro-magnetic field. Like a burglar alarm, the antennas of the instrument "sense" a human presence and create a pitch and volume field relationship. The internals of every theremin are very simple, two frequency oscillators and a volume control circuit produce a pure sine wave output which can be treated with FX to sound more spacious or varied. 

What does it sound like? 
The sound of a theremin varies depending on the technique of the player and what sounds you are trying to make. It can range from the typical "wobble and wo" sound used in old sc-fi movies to crazy space age effects if you plug the instrument into a sophisticated FX unit. The "classical" sound of the melodic theremin should sound like a beautiful human voice if played with the right expression and not too much vibrato. It is one of the purest sounds in all music (as it is just a sine wave) and has the ability to move audiences. It has a huge pitch range depending on the instrument, and can span an eight octave range, with five octaves as comfortably playable on a professional instrument. But, it is a "love it or hate it" sound, like an operatic soprano. Too often in the wrong hands it can sound like a strangled cat!

What's the history?
In 1927, young Russian physicist Lev Sergeivitch Termen (known as Leon Theremin) arrived in the USA to find his fame and fortune and to demonstrate his new musical invention, the thereminvox which had achieved fame throughout Europe. There he met violin prodigy, Clara Rockmore who became fascinated with the theremin and became the instrument's ambassador and all time greatest virtuoso, helping Professor Theremin to refine and develop the instrument. 

In 1929, RCA began to manufacture the instrument, marketing it as an instrument that 'anyone who can hum, whistle or sing' could master. This was far from the case, and many of the few hundred instruments bought were returned in disgust. It was only the mastery and musicianship of Clara Rockmore and Samuel J. Hoffman (who recorded the music for many 1950s Hollywood films like 'Spellbound') which held the theremin from being permanently binned as an electronic oddity, with spellbinding performance given throughout their respective lifetimes. Leon Theremin was obsessed with the beautiful and talented Clara, but she turned down his proposals of marriage on several occasions and married Rockmore, an American lawyer.

Theremin married Lavinia Williams, a negro ballerina. Their mixed race relationship shocked Rockmore's high society, but he soon left America. Despite his inventions and good reputation, the American dream and boom bust had left him penniless. He was allegedly kidnapped by the KGB, although he way have been homesick for his motherland and fled his mounting debts.

Meanwhile back in Communist Russia, Leon Theremin did not fare so well as he was throw into one of Stalin's gulags for his maverick tendencies, and only escaped starvation and death by his scientific ingenuity and an 11th hour reprise which brought him back to Stalingrad as a prisoner to work for the State on WWII scientific inventions. He is credited here in inventing various spying devices like the first television and innovative airplane radars and even a bug which spied on the nearby American Embassy. When Communism collapsed in the 1980s, Professor Theremin was an old man but he enjoyed his few remaining years touring the world as a scientific and musical legend.

The story of the theremin is a chequered history of romance, deception and intrigue unmatched in the world of electronics! 

The theremin fell close to extinction from the 1930s to 1950s during the Great Depression and war years when money for luxuries was sparse. However, during the post war boom, another young inventor, Robert Moog, became fascinated with the instrument and developed a smaller transistorised theremin. The theremin enjoyed a minor revival, and appeared on the soundtrack to a number of movies and psychedelic records including a variant on the theremin called the 'electro-theremin' by Paul Tanner which features on the Beach Boys hit 'Good Vibrations', although this instrument was more like an electronic slide guitar. Throughout his career, Moog has been an ambassador of the instrument, creating the first mass produced theremin (the Etherwave) and the first midi theremin (Ethervox).

The third revival of the instrument took place in 1990. Film maker Steve Martin produced a historic film, "Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey" which was broadcast on American network PBS and worldwide, featuring Clara Rockmore and an enigmatic scene where Theremin and Rockmore are re-united after 30 years and they take tea together in New York. Leon Theremin died in November 1993, the day after the documentary was broadcast. More than any other recording or the countless performances given throughout the years, this single film did more to promote the cause of the theremin than anything else. It provoked a revival of the instrument to the level that now many more people are aware of the instrument. During this period, sales of Bob Moog's Etherwave theremin soared and the instrument is still gloriously surfing this period of enthusiastic revival.

Are there any famous theremin players?
Most contemporary activity within the field take place in the instrument's traditional homes, the USA and Russia. There are a number of incredibly talented thereminist who have achieved a cult reputation. Russian Lydia Kavina, the grand niece of Leon Theremin, is seen as leading the field since the death of Clara Rockmore. Other reputable players include Pamela Kurstin (the rollerskating thereminist) and Rob Schwimmer (who has performed with Simon & Garfunkel) from America, Canadian Peter Pringle (the Liberace of the theremin), 16 year old German prodigy Carolina Eyck, free jazz thereminists Eric Ross (USA) and Youssef Yancy (Belgium) and Takeuchi Masami and Ayako Sato from Japan, to name but a few.

Where can I buy a theremin?
There are few places to buy the theremin outside of the USA so mail order by internet is the main option. There are two questions you should ask before buying a theremin - how much do you want to spend and how serious are you about playing the theremin? It is a very hard instrument with a 90% estimated drop out rate, so think seriously before you spend. A 'coloursound pocket theremin' or similar (anything under £100) is just a buzzy little toy and not really a fully fledged instrument (as it does not have a volume circuit so it is always playing a continuous note) but it may do if your only aim is to make crazy noises. In London, UK, a shop called Macaris on Tottenham Court Road sells theremins by Elysian which you can try out.   The model I learned to play on is thought to be the international standard in entry level theremins, the Etherwave by Moog Music, the most popular theremin in the world.  It is relatively cheap (around $400 US), portable and can sounds pretty good!  They also make the Etherwave Pro, a fantastic quality and space age looking instrument retailing at around four times the price of the regular Etherwave which has fast become 'the standard' ' for serious players. I play the Etherwave Pro and also the TVox Tour, a portable professional theremin designed for Lydia Kavina (not currently in production since 2005).

If you want a cheaper alternative, I recommend theremins by No. 1 electronics from London, UK, they are quite cheap, stable with good features for the money and make an excellent entry level theremin. A "classic" vintage RCA theremin can cost up to $15,000 so it's worth starting off with a No. 1 electronics or Etherwave before you make a more serious investment.

Are there any recordings of theremins?
There are hundred of recordings which feature theremins either solo or "in the mix", from Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", to Clara Rockmore's classical theremin recordings to Supergrass's "Richard III".  The Spice Girls even used a theremin before they came on stage!   Probably the single most famous piece of music is the soundtrack to the Alfred Hitchcock film 'Spellbound' by Rosza, where the theremin represents the 'dementia' theme. You can see a list of the thousands of bands who have used theremins for their recordings at Theremin World.

How do you play a theremin?
Stand facing the directly instrument, standing opposite the expression (volume) loop and facing slightly towards the pitch antennae, and place your left hand over the expression loop and right hand against your chest and level with the middle of the pitch antennae. To increase the volume, raise your left hand and to make the pitch higher bring your whole arms in parallel closer to the antennae. To succeed, you need to keep a steady hand and keep the rest of your body motionless.

There are various techniques developed for the theremin, the most commonly recognised is the 'closed' technique developed by Clara Rockmore in her manual 'the art of the theremin' which involves creating subtle hand shapes using the fingers spreading out from a fist position, which is great for playing violin or vocal music where notes are generally written close to one another. There is even one man's technique called 'the rudder' which involves standing on a chair and playing the instrument vertically downwards. Not at all recommended!

The theremin is described by its players as "the Everest of musical instruments". It is extremely difficult to master, and requires a great deal of hard work, discipline and practice. Its thought that around 90% of those that play theremin give up within six months when they discover how difficult it is to move beyond the "wobble and wo" sci-fi effect to actually making melodies and tunes. Those that do stick, discover an instrument of endless challenges and frustrations (and face many bad attitudes from those who do not believe the theremin is a "serious" instrument) but great rewards. Good luck in your theremining!


Would you like to have a theremin lesson? I offer private theremin tuition in England. Contact me for more details.