What is a theremin?

mibmob

In 1918, a Soviet scientist named Leon Theremin invented the world's first electronic musical instrument. It was an instrument so different to those that had gone before that it had no strings, pipes, or keys. in fact, the player didn't even have to touch the instrument to play it. The 'Theremin', as it came to be known, captured the imagination of the world, and was soon featuring in magazines, on the airwaves, and in film. Apr 24 04, 8:48 AM

inchoate

Besides looking like no other instrument, the theremin is unique in that it is played without being touched. Two antennae protrude from the theremin - one controlling pitch, and the other controlling volume. As a hand approaches the vertical antenna, the pitch gets higher. Approaching the horizontal antenna makes the volume softer. Because there is no physical contact with the instrument, playing the theremin requires precise skill and perfect pitch. Apr 24 04, 9:11 AM

mehaul

A Theremin was the instrument used by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys band to generate the ooo-wee-ooo sounds on the "Good Vibrations" song. It could be considered the event that drove the adoption of synthesizers into modern music. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin Jan 21 12, 4:21 PM