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You may have heard the theremin in the eerie soundscapes of old-timey horror movies, or in the performances of virtuoso thereminists like Clara Rockmore.
Among the earliest electronic instruments, the theremin was a standout in how it could be played without any physical contact. In this article, we break down what a theremin is, how it works by harnessing the power of electromagnetic interference, and how you can explore its distinctive sound firsthand.
Let’s dive in!
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What is a theremin?
The theremin is an instrument that typically consists of a wooden box with two antennae; one controls pitch, and the other controls amplitude (loudness). Skilled performers can play melodies by hovering and moving their hands ever so slightly around the instrument.
The theremin’s sound
Theremins have a distinctive timbre that sounds something like a cross between a violin and a soprano voice. Due to the way it’s played, the theremin has a gliding, portamento quality that can be simultaneously haunting and beautiful.
Take a listen to Carolina Eyck’s performance below to get a taste of its unique sonic characteristics:
The history of the theremin
The theremin was originally developed in the USSR by researcher Leon Theremin, while he was hard at work developing a high-frequency oscillator capable of measuring electric force through gases. As he experimented, he discovered that he could change the pitch of an audio signal generated by this oscillator by changing the position of his body in relation to the electromagnetic field he was attempting to measure.
Not long after adapting the device to harness this capability, Theremin had the opportunity to show it off to Lenin, who was so taken with his new instrument that he recruited him to gather intelligence on a US tour.
How the theremin works
The theremin works by harnessing the power of electromagnetic interference. The human body is a capacitor; our bodies conduct electricity, and can store electric charges (as you might know if you’ve ever tried to pet your fluffy cat after shuffling your feet along a carpet while wearing socks).
Each of the theremin’s two antennae are connected to circuits that oscillate at radio frequency; one oscillator’s frequency is fixed, while the other’s is variable. When the thereminist uses their body to interfere with the electromagnetic field, the instrument measures the difference between the fixed and the variable oscillators, and translates this difference to a pitch (or amplitude).
This translation is governed by a concept known as the heterodyne principle. Because the theremin can measure the difference between its fixed oscillator and the variable oscillator, it’s capable of measuring a weak signal (such as the shift in capacitance generated by moving one’s hand five centimeters forward or backward) and amplifying it so that it can be played as a musical instrument.
The art of being a thereminist
Thereminists appear to play their instruments almost like invisible strings, employing techniques such as vibrato on held notes. Although skilled players might make it look easy, playing it requires great musical coordination and serious technical ability. Even setting up multiple theremins on one stage can cause problems—since electromagnetic fields aren’t visible, theremins can be finicky to troubleshoot.
Still, if you’re interested in electronic instruments, synthesizers, and electric circuits, the theremin is a great topic to research, even if you don’t end up trying to play it yourself. Check out a few of the examples below for more information, or just a bit of easy listening.
A performance of a short contemporary piece written for the theremin and continuum
Renowned thereminist Carolina Eyck explains how she approaches playing the instrument
Lydia Kavina’s TED Talk on the instrument
Use the sound of the theremin in your own music
What’s more, even if you don’t have access to a theremin, that doesn’t need to stop you from incorporating its unique sound into your music. With royalty-free sample packs like Theremin Explorations with hYrtis, you can take lyrical melodies, layered arrangements, and effected atmospheres created with the instrument and use them in your own productions.
And there you have it! Do you have any questions about the theremin? Is there an instrument you’d like to see us cover next? Start a conversation with us and an ever-growing community of other music creators via the Splice Discord.
Incorporate the sound of the theremin into your own productions:
January 15, 2024
