Theremin

What is a theremin?

The theremin is the oldest electronic musical instrument in the world. It was invented in 1919 by the Russian scientist and cellist Leon Theremin invented in 1919. This amazing instrument is known for its touchless playing technique, which is almost like magic.

With the theremin, the position of the hands in relation to two electrodes (metal rods as “antennas” or playing antennas as high-frequency transmitters) controls the pitch and volume (see how it works). The sound is output via a loudspeaker after amplification. Although the theremin played a pioneering role in instrument making in many respects, its use remained limited to musical niches. The theremin is used in various areas of music. For example, as film music in science fiction, thriller and horror films or in pop, rock and metal songs. It has only been popularized to a certain extent since the 1990s.

The theremin played a special role in music history thanks to the instrument maker Robert Moog. He built theremins in his youth and used the experience he gained to develop his synthesizers.

The fascinating history of theremin: from its origins to the Renaissance

History and development

The origins of theremin go back to a time when electricity was just beginning to find its way into the world of music. The first attempts to produce sounds with the help of electrical circuits were made as early as the 19th century. One of these forerunners was Thaddeus Cahill’s telharmonium in the 1890s, although it was still very unwieldy and impractical. The invention of the vacuum tube finally created the technical prerequisites for the theremin.

The birth of the theremin

The theremin was developed in 1919 by the Russian physics professor Lev Sergeyevich Termen, later known as Leon Theremin. He carried out his first experiments at the Physical-Technical Institute in Petrograd. The first public presentation took place in Petrograd in 1920, followed by a presentation at the All-Soviet Electrotechnical Congress in Moscow in 1921. The instrument, which was initially known as the Aeterophone, immediately attracted attention due to its unique mode of operation: The pitch was controlled solely by hand movements in the air, while the volume was regulated by a pedal.

The rise of the theremin

In the following years, the theremin gained international fame, particularly through the virtuoso performances of Clara Rockmore and Konstantin Kowalski. Rockmore, often referred to as the “high priestess of the theremin”, impressed audiences with her extraordinary virtuosity and interpreted works by Stravinsky, Ravel and other masters. Kowalski also contributed to the popularity of the instrument and gave over 3000 solo concerts, mainly in the Soviet Union.

The theremin in pop culture

In the middle of the 20th century, the theremin found its way into pop music, particularly through hits such as “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys and “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin. The unique sounds of the instrument gave the songs an unmistakable touch and contributed to the further spread and popularity of the theremin.

The theremin in the movie

At the same time, the theremin also found its way into the film industry, especially in science fiction films, where it was often used to create eerie and futuristic sounds. Miklós Rózsa and Bernard Herrmann were among the first composers to use the theremin in their soundtracks, including films such as “The Lost Weekend” and “Spellbound”.

The renaissance of theremin

After a phase of withdrawal in the 1970s and 1980s, the theremin has experienced a small renaissance since the 1990s. The reunification of Russia made it possible to engage more intensively with the artistic avant-garde of the early 20th century, from which the theremin also benefited. Documentary films such as “Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey” by Steven Martin helped to awaken interest in the instrument, and the advent of the internet made it possible for amateurs to discover and learn the theremin.

Functionality and structure of the Theremine: From analog sensor technology to digital innovation

Theremines work on the principle of a capacitive distance sensor, with the player’s hand acting as a ground and influencing the LC resonant circuit of an oscillator. These changes affect both the frequency and the quality of the resonant circuit by influencing the capacitive component and the damping. Originally, theremines operated at frequencies far above the audible range, typically 100 kHz to 1 MHz, to make the small capacitance changes audible. Mixing with a fixed frequency oscillator produces the difference frequency, which is perceived as an audible tone. The characteristic sounds of the theremin are rich in harmonic sideband frequencies that open up a diverse sound palette.

The proximity of the player to the antenna influences the frequency of an oscillator that controls the volume. The closer the hand is to the antenna, the lower the frequency and thus the volume. Modern theremins often use transistor oscillators instead of tubes and offer advanced features such as three-dimensional motion detection and data outputs for connection to software and computers, greatly expanding the possibilities for musical expression. The development of the theremin was driven in particular by pioneers such as Robert Moog, who continued to develop the instrument and even offered kits.

Eerily beautiful: the unique sound of the theremin

The sound of the theremin is truly unique and is difficult to compare with other instruments. Some describe it as a delicate female voice that floats through the room, others as something completely alien or even uncanny. It is this mixture of fragility and supernaturalness that makes the sound of the theremin so fascinating.

If you’ve ever watched an old horror movie and wondered what those eerie, spooky sounds in the background are, you can imagine that a theremin was involved. With its mystical sound, the theremin can create an atmosphere of fear and tension that is perfect for scary scenes. It is as if the instrument came straight from another world, and its sounds are fascinating and unsettling at the same time.

The sound of the theremin is often reminiscent of a mixture of a high string instrument such as the violin and a delicate soprano voice. But even this description falls short, because the sound of the theremin has its very own characteristics that are difficult to put into words. It is a soundscape that embodies both terror and vulnerability and thus has a very special effect on the listener.

With a range of up to nine octaves, the theremin is capable of producing a wide range of sounds, from heavenly to eerie. It is no wonder that this unique instrument is a staple in both the music and film industries and is always appreciated for its distinctive sounds.

Playing technique of the theremin

The playing technique of the theremin is unique, as it is played without contact by varying the distance between the two hands and the antennae. Normally, the right hand controls the pitch and the left hand controls the volume. With a conventional theremin, the player receives no visual or tactile feedback and must rely entirely on their hearing. The range of influence on the pitch is about 40 to 50 centimeters around the antenna, which means that the arm and body position can also influence the sound.

The inventor Lew Termen attached great importance to the fact that the theremin allows an infinitely fine variation of tones without the player being hindered by mechanical restrictions. This enables a subtle variation of pitch and volume that is not possible with many mechanical instruments. In addition, the sound can be changed continuously over a wide frequency range without having to change the instrument.

The operating principle of the theremin enables a continuous glissando, which makes it well suited to producing vibratos. However, it is difficult to play individual, clearly distinguishable notes and the rest of the body must be kept still. The timbre can be changed using buttons.

Clara Rockmore and Lidija Kawina developed special fingering techniques to play the theremin largely glissando-free. Carolina Eyck developed a technique with eight finger positions to make effective use of the theremin’s electromagnetic field.

Since its introduction, the theremin has been a popular and visually spectacular instrument for performances. The ability to produce sounds “from the air” gives the theremin a unique and fascinating aura.

Today’s application

Today, the theremin is used in a variety of ways in different areas. In the contemporary music scene, virtuosos such as Lidija Kawina and Barbara Buchholz have made a name for themselves by interpreting the theremin as a solo instrument and collaborating with contemporary composers to create new works for the instrument. In addition, there are a number of thereminists such as Pamelia Stickney, Rob Schwimmer, Dorit Chrysler and Carolina Eyckwho regularly give concerts and present the theremin in various genres from classical music to experimental electronic music.

The theremin has also found its place in popular music. Musicians such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Tom Waits and Jon Spencer use the instrument in their pieces as an independent melody instrument or as part of an orchestra. The versatility of the theremin allows for a wide range of sounds, from mystical to futuristic.

In the jazz context, artists such as Barbara Buchholz and Pamelia Stickney have incorporated the theremin into their improvisations and collaborated with various jazz formations, while it is also used in film and television music. Composers such as Justin Hurwitz have used the theremin in films such as “Going to the Moon” to create a unique atmosphere, while television series such as “The Big Bang Theory” and “The Simpsons” use the theremin as a humorous element.

All in all, the theremin has lost none of its fascination and versatility in the 21st century and remains an instrument that fascinates and inspires musicians and listeners alike.

Which instruments have evolved from the theremin?

The theremin has inspired and influenced a variety of instruments that are based on its basic functionality but modify it in many ways. Some of these instruments are the Clavivox, the Ethonium and the Croix Sonore, which were developed as variants inspired by the theremin in order to simplify operation or utilize new sound generation mechanisms.

Other developments include simplified theremins such as the Tonica by Vyacheslav Maximov and the Matryomin by Masami Takeuchi, which were designed for special applications. Optical theremins use laser beams or other visual elements to facilitate the operation of the instrument, such as the laser theremin (Termenova) developed by Leila Hasan at MIT and other prototypes.

There are also non-contact instruments with capacitive sensors such as the Terpsiton and the Hypercello as well as instruments with other control mechanisms such as the Theremin with infrared sensors developed by Georg Pavlov and the Chimaera based on magnetic field measurement. Synthesizers and keyboards use optical gesture recognition techniques to enable pitch modulation similar to the theremin, such as the D-Beam sensor of the Roland grooveboxes or the use of photocells in self-built optical theremins.