Move Over, Guitar Hero

Let's lighten things up a bit, and move into the realm of things you just really might be able to do.

Ever wish you could play an instrument? You just might be able to. Yyour instrument might just be the Theremin. If you're a SciFi buff, you'll recognize the sound instantly.

It's actually a bona fide instrument, from my point of view, it's just somewhat, um, unconventional.

The theremin is unique among musical instruments in that it is played without physical contact. The musician (occasionally referred to as a thereminist) stands in front of the instrument and moves his or her hands in the proximity of two metal antennas. The distance from one antenna determines frequency (pitch), and the distance from the other controls amplitude (volume). Most frequently, the right hand controls the pitch and the left controls the volume, although some performers reverse this arrangement. Some low cost theremins use a conventional, knob operated volume control and have only the pitch antenna.

Yep - a touchless instrument. How wild is that? Aside from the funky concept, actual art is produced from it. Observe Masami Takeuchi play Camille Saint Saens "Le Cygne" (The Swan) from "Carnival of the Animals."



As the post is titled, Move Over Guitar Hero! I'm getting me a theremin! Ingve Malmstein, look out!

TAGS: Fun Stuff, Theremin, Open Thread, Like, aren't they all