Theremin Music Instrument: Eerie, sci-fi sounds at your fingertips. One of the earliest electronic instruments, you don’t have to touch it, just play it with a wave of your hand. We have reviewed various Moog theremins and have listed the factors to consider before buying a theremin. You may checkout the Moog Etherwave on zZounds.
Introduction
Very few actually know that a musical instrument by the name “Theremin” exists and that you play it without touching it.
Ever heard all those creepy sounds in movies, especially in horror or sci-fi movies? It’s produced by this instrument.
It’s commonly used by musicians around the world for the unique sound that it produces.There are several concert composers who have written for the Theremin, and have been used a lot in Pop music, Film music, Television and Video games.
It has also been used by famous bands in the past.
Unlike other musical instruments, Theremins have this tendency to amaze the audience, and can easily overshadow the performer.
If you can play it well, it will be a good addition to your band as well. Connect it an amplifier and you are ready to start gigging (or even for practicing).
What’s a Theremin?
The theremin is indeed an unusual instrument; it’s a gesture-controlled instrument that has no strings or keys.
You play the Theremin without touching it. I guess it is the only one of its kind and one among the oldest electronic instruments.
A Theremin might sound like an alien name or something, but it is actually a brand of electronic musical instrument or a melodic tool which is able to play various pitches of sound in different volumes based on how close a musician’s playing hands are in closeness to the two mounted antennae on the instrument.
The Theremin is quite unique as musicians don’t even need to have contact with the instrument in order to play it.
It works by detecting the proximity of both hands with the antennae where one hand controls the frequency of oscillators, while the other controls the volume. The signals from the Theremin are then amplified and played from speakers.
Theremin was patented in 1928 by Professor Leon Theremin, hence the name of the instrument!
A Theremin is also known by other names such as etherophone, thereminophone, aetherphone, thereminvox or termenvox.
The Moog Theremin
Of all the modern Theremins that are available in the market, Moog is definitely among the better ones because of its stability, and it uses all solid and sturdy materials and components.
With the other brands, the unit may become a bit inconsistent as the Theremin heats up, especially if you play it for a longer time. You may observe that the distance between the various notes tends to change or wander slightly when the thermein gets heated up.
Not with the Moog though! They have been around for some time and are among the leaders when it comes to sound related technologies. The Moog theremin is easy to setup and use, takes minimum time to assemble it, though it is not easy to play the Theremin.
Brands: When it comes to Theremins, Moog Theremin is the most trusted brand, which delivers unbeatable quality.
Moog Theremins: Various Models
- Moog Theremini: Comes with several presets. Improve your skills on the Theremin
- Moog Theremini Power Supply
- Moog Microphone Stand Adapter for Theremini
- Moog Etherwave Theremin: Furniture-grade hardwoods and Birch plywood; Black instrument-grade finish. Performance instrument, features the classic theremin timbre.
- Moog Standard Etherwave Theremin: Furniture-grade hardwood ash cabinet. Performance instrument, features the classic theremin timbre.
- Moog Etherwave Theremin Gig Bag
- Moog Etherwave Plus Theremin: Professional grade, precise, ideal controller and performance instrument. Features the classic theremin timbre.
Moog Theremini
The Theremini comes with performance-enhancing features, and is perfect for those whos till haven’t mastered the instrument. The Moog Theremini features awesome Animoog synth sounds, a tuner with visual feedback, and built-in pitch correction. Cheaper than the other Moog models, you can use it to hone your playing technique.
Buy on zZounds
Moog Music Etherwave Theremin
Five-octave pitch range and reliable spacing between notes for sophisticated playability. Antennas are nickel-plated 3/8″ brass tube. Cabinets are furniture-grade hardwood, finished black. Fitted with an adapter for mounting on a standard microphone stand.
Moog Etherwave Standard Theremin
Audio Out – standard 1/4 in. phone jack, which delivers line level output to your amplifier. Pitch Range: 5 octaves (3 above and 2 below middle C). Timbre: 2 continuous rotary controls for waveform and brightness. Power Input – receptacle for the special AC adapter that comes with the Etherwave. 110 volt and 220 volt adapters are available.
Moog Music Etherwave Theremin Kit
Are you more of the technical type and fancy doing some work with your own hands and in the process also save some bucks? Here is a build-it-yourself Theremin kit from Moog. You also get a couple of instructional tutorial DVDs along. You get the audio out- standard 1/4′ phone jack for connecting to amps and then ou have the other core components like power rocker switch, pitch rotary control, volume rotary control, and waveform rotary control.
Moog Music TB15 Etherwave Theremin Amplifier
Looking at the Theremin itself, you will know it needs to be played through an amplifier. Though you may use any keyboard amp or a PA, here is a good basic amplifier for your Etherwave theremin. It is 15-watts and has a 3-band EQ with 2 inputs.
Buy Moog Theremin, check prices on zZounds
Popular Performances and Players of THEREMIN
First of all there are very few who know what a THEREMIN is, and even those who have heard the instrument, they have only heard the instrument sound in classic monster movies.
Ms. Clara Rockmore was theremin’s most renowned performer and also helped develop its popularity. Google doodle pays tribute to Clara Rockmore’s (you can see Ms Rockmore playing the theremin).
Rachmaninov played on THEREMIN, it will make you want to learn to play the THEREMIN
Very few have actually heard the theremin produce a soothing sound.
Here is one such example.
The Rachmaninov piece played on the THEREMIN is not only blissful, you won’t even believe that the Theremin sounds can be so expressive.
I am sure you would want to learn to play the theremin after watching the video.
Vocalise was composed by the great Russian composer, Sergei Rachmaninov.
Dedicated to Antonina Nezhdanova, it is written for soprano voice and piano.
But there is something interesting about the composition.
What is interesting (unusual) about this piece is there are no words. Instead, the singer may sing the melody to a vowel sound of their choice.
Watch Carolina Eyck performs this heavenly piece on the Theremin, with Christopher Tarnow on the piano.
Impressive, isn’t it?
External Links
Virtual Theremin
You can find Virtual Theremin as well that allows you to play the theremin on your computer, allowing you to create your own music.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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