Play the Theremin

A wealth of useful information on how to play the theremin, with plenty of resources to get you started.

FAQs Frequently Asked Questions When was the theremin invented and who invented it? The theremin was invented in 1919, by Professor Leon Theremin , also known as Lev Termen. Theremin was a talented Russian Physicist and capable cellist who noticed a strange phenomenon in an electrical circuit he was experimenting with. He...

How The Theremin Works A quick guide to how the theremin works "With this instrument, I have made it possible to produce tones of constancy of pitch not even remotely approached by the best piano or organ". -Leon Theremin, 1927 There were, and still are, two distinct schools of thought in the theremin world. One says the theremin, far from...

Playing Styles A quick look at theremin playing styles through the ages Like any musical instrument, the theremin is extremely versatile. It is used in a wide variety of styles and genres, and can sound very different depending on how it's played. The first application of the theremin was in playing the music of the past - music borrowed largely from the violin...

Theremin Emulators Simulate the classic theremin sound on your PC Of course, an emulator can never come close to the real sound of the theremin, but there are some interesting programs to experiment with here. Probably the best emulator available in terms of configurability at the moment is 'Mousing', an emulator that also outputs over MIDI, and allows you...

Buying Guide What to look for when you purchase your first theremin There's a mind-boggling selection of theremins out there to purchase for the potential newbie, and its easy to become confused when searching for the most suitable model. Broadly speaking, the theremin community can be divided into those who want a pre-built instrument, and techies or those...

Method Books and Tutors Information and advice on currently available method books and DVDs There are a number of theremin method books available to buy or download for free. There are also two excellent theremin instructional DVDs available. In truth, none of these titles are a 'magic pill' to provide you with everything you need to know, rather each title here has something to offer,...

Thomas Grillo Theremin Lessons Learn the basic steps from thereminist Thomas Grillo In this set of videos, thereminist Thomas Grillo explains the operation of the theremin, and how to play simple melodies. He explains all the major pitfalls that theremin players normally get into, introduces the concept of 'ariel fingering', and even moves onto more advanced techniques for...

Masterclasses and Events A guide to theremin masterclasses and events around the world Perhaps the most well known theremin 'event' is the annual EtherMusic Festival, held by Moog Music in Asheville, NC which usually features a series of theremin workshops, concerts, events, and a guided tour of the Moog factory. The event attracts participants and guest thereminists from across...