What do you think about Leon Theremin, the man who invented the instrument that you play without touching?

Question

Here's a picture of a theremin:
http://www.davesabine.com/Portals/3/Archive/theremin_glasgow_2.jpg

Here's a quick video of someone using one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wph6wGwPn9M

"Theremin Killed The Radio Star"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-3lU3bgOgE
LOL.

And here's a clip of some music from The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951 version) that utilizes theremins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYbHpXca7U0


I'm too lazy to search for modern rock/pop bands that use this instrument but feel free to do so on my behalf. :P What do you think? It put a smile on my face.

Answer 1

They make a pretty cool spacey kinda sound although you rarely hear them being used nowadays. Although Radiohead often use and instrument called an ondes martenot which kinda sounds similar. The only song that I can think of off the top of my head is Kelly Watch The Stars by Air (it's mostly towards the end that it's used).



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLrUtjdYEPw

Answer 2

There are 3 answers to this question: 1. To do with the maids being right handed 2. To do with military purposes 3. Fashion It is only for the last few centuries that buttons have been used and were initially so expensive that only rich people could afford them. The military found it easier to mass produce uniforms with buttons on the right but ordinary women and men didn't start using them until more recently, relying on laced items instead. Aristocratic women chose to be different to men and etiquette said that the lady should be to the left of the man with neither being able to peer into the gap left between the buttons of their clothes. The tradition has stayed the same and there's no reason it shouldn't change now, so the answer is that it was the aristocratic ladies that chose which side their buttons went and nothing to do with men.

Answer 3

I've done 9 grades, 2 diplomas and 3 degrees in music and I don't think I could ever put that in the same league as a piano, guitar, violin. I do appreciate that it must take some skill to play but I can't see it working in an ensemble with any other instruments, and I also can't see it becoming a graded instrument. I'm also in two minds about calling it an instrument, as if I'm doing 'real' instruments an injustice by classifying it with a Theremin.



Basically, I think they are quite limited 'instruments' and that I wouldn't reccomend anyone taking a grade in it although given the opportunity, I'd love to try one.

Answer 4

HAHA! I just saw somebody playing one of those yesterday. Have you ever seen that show Yo Gabba Gabba? It was on that. I think its pretty cool... but kinda geeky! :)

Answer 5

I think they are amazing!

Tim Burton uses them in his movies, and i believe in Mars Attacks

Answer 6

That was very interesting. And funny.

Thanks :-)



Put a smile on my face, too!

Answer 7

Haha, sounds pretty cool!

Answer 8

I think Jimmy Page should be paying His Family Royalties, or maybe they should be paying Him.