Hi, I'm Thomas Grillo, and I've been playing the theremin sinse July of 2006.
I thaught it was time something be done about a problem in which people who are new to the theremin have no easy access to a short, and to the point tutorial for the theremin that would provide a working understanding of the playing of this fascinating instrument which is played without being touched.
If you are interested in the theremin, but are not sure if you're ready to invest in real lessons, books, videos, and instruments, check out my free introductory level theremin lessons on youtube right here! Click on the video to view!
The theremin, commonly misspelled as theramin, is an electronic musical instrument which is played without being touched. Invented around 1919 by Russian physicist Leon Theremin, the theremin plays just one note at a time, but allows for incredible expressive dynamics, and vibratto. The instrument was first massproduced around the late 1920s and early 1930s by RCA Victor Co, with only 500 being produced.
Theremins were first intended as an instrument for classical music in the early 1930s, and 40s, and were later used as mood altering effects in science fiction, thriller, and horror films from the late 40s to the early 60s. But, it was the RCA theremins which were used in most film productions, untill Robert A. Moog started producing theremins on a small scale in the late 1950s. Moog went on to produce more theremins on a wider scale in the early to mid 1990s, and sinse then, has produced thousands of mid to high end price range theremins.
Sinse the late 1990s, several othere manufacturers in the United States, and other countries around the globe have started producing theremin kits, and fully completed theremins which fit many budgets.
Theremins are now enjoying a major return to the public eye, and ear in nearly every genre of music.
Theremins work by producing an invisible electromagnetic field around the antennae which becomes the human interface for the instrument in much the same way a keyboard serves as the interface for a piano, or synthesizer. The players hand changes the strength, or capacitance of the field, and thus the notes, and volume of the notes being played as the hand draws nearer to, or further from the antennae.
It is my hope that these introductory level instructional videos on how to play the theremin will help foster a greater understanding, and awareness of this truely fascinating instrument in as many people around the world as is humanly possible.
For more information, and links to many sources of learning materials, please visit the links at the bottom of this blog.
For dial-up users, or slow connections, right-click on the video, and select low, or medium quality to improve playback.
Please stop one video prior to playing the next to avoid multiple videos running at the same time. ; )
Theremin Lesson One
In this lesson I demonstrate how to change notes, execute dynamic volume, and expressive vibratto.
Theremin Lesson Two
In this lesson, I demonstrate mechanical stability, breath control, pitch fishing, and preview.
Theremin Lesson Three
In this lesson, I demonstrate how to set up the pitch antenna for proper intonation in octave jumps, and scales, as well as describing the three descrete zones of the pitch antenna's magnetic field.
Theremin Lesson Four
In this lesson, I demonstrate the use of the volume antenna's control knob, magnetic fields, stance, and playing arc. I also do a walking bass at the start.
You can also view them at:
For private lessons, workshops, or gigs, please visit my web site.
These theremin lessons are no substitute for professional videos, books, workshops, and in-person lessons! Explore as many sources of instruction as possible prior to settling on an instructor, or educational materials, as this will aid in enhancing the quality, and enjoyment of the theremin.