What family is the theremin in?
The theremin (/ˈθɛrəmɪn/; originally known as the ætherphone/etherphone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox) is an electronic musical instrument controlled without physical contact by the thereminist (performer)….Theremin.
| Electronic instrument | |
|---|---|
| Developed | 1920; patented in 1922 |
What kind of instrument is a theremin?
electronic musical instrument
theremin, also called Thereminvox, or Etherophone, electronic musical instrument invented in 1920 in the Soviet Union by Leon Theremin (also called Lev Termen).
Was theremin a Russian spy?
What audiences didn’t know was that Theremin was already working as a spy for the Soviet regime. While he wowed crowds with his ghostly tunes, played on what was then called the Thereminvox, or “Theremin’s voice,” he kept his eye out for any information that might be useful to report back to his homeland.
Are there any theremins made today?
Today, Moog Music Inc. produces the popular Etherwave and Etherwave Plus theremins and kits as well as the new MIDI-enabled Theremini theremin. Other popular models today include PAiA’s Theremax and Burns’ line of B3 theremins. Theremin kits continue to surge in popularity today like guitar kits due to the growing DIY market in music.
What is the working principle of theremin?
The theremin uses the heterodyne principle to generate an audio signal. The instrument’s pitch circuitry includes two radio frequency oscillators set below 500 kHz to minimize radio interference. One oscillator operates at a fixed frequency.
Who are some famous people who play the theremin?
Other notable contemporary Theremin players include Lydia Kavina, Pamelia Kurstin, Barbara Buchholz and Katica Illényi. Dutch classical musician Thorwald Jørgensen has been described as “one of the most important exponents of classical music on the theremin”.
Are there different types of theremin instruments available?
Both theremin instruments and kits are available. The Open Theremin, an open hardware and open software project, was developed by swiss microengineer Urz Gaudenz, using the original heterodyne oscillator architecture for a good playing experience, combined with Arduino.