The theremin (/???r?m?n/; originally known as the ætherphone/etherphone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox) is an electronic musical instrument controlled without physical contact by the thereminist (performer). It is named after its inventor, Leon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928.
The instrument's controlling section usually consists of two metal antennas that sense the relative position of the thereminist's hands and control oscillators for frequency with one hand, and amplitude (volume) with the other. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker.
The sound of the instrument is often associated with eerie situations. Thus, the theremin has been used in movie soundtracks such as Miklós Rózsa's Spellbound and The Lost Weekend, Bernard Herrmann's The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Justin Hurwitz's First Man, as well as in theme songs for television shows such as the ITV drama Midsomer Murders. The theremin is also used in concert music (especially avant-garde and 20th- and 21st-century new music), and in popular music genres such as rock. Wikipedia, Theremin
Leon Theremin, originally named Lev Sergeyevich Termen, invented the Theremin in 1920, marking one of the earliest ventures into electronic musical instruments. This device stands out because it is played without any physical contact. Theremin stumbled upon the concept while working on proximity sensors for the Soviet government, leading to the creation of an instrument that relies on electromagnetic fields.
The Theremin generates sound through two metal antennas: one controls pitch, and the other controls volume. By moving their hands near these antennas, performers manipulate the electromagnetic fields, altering the frequency and amplitude of the produced sound. The right hand typically handles pitch adjustments, moving closer to or further from the vertical rod antenna to change the sound's pitch. Meanwhile, the left hand controls the volume via a loop antenna, where proximity determines the loudness.
This invention had a significant impact on music, particularly in film scores for science fiction and horror genres, due to its distinctive, eerie tones. The Theremin's unique sound also influenced the development of electronic music and subsequent instruments like synthesizers. Clara Rockmore, a virtuoso Theremin player, notably advanced its performance techniques, demonstrating its musical potential and complexity. Theremin's innovation thus bridges the realms of music, science, and technology, illustrating the diverse applications of early electronic devices. [anon]
See Also