Theramin...

[Jules]

Anyone know anything about theramins? Went to see the Tigerlillies last night and loved some of the stuff the bass palyer was doing with a theramin...
Got a sudden craving to acquire one- anyone know the ins and outs of what makes a 'good' theramin?

 

[jonf]

Theremin

Jules

You nutter

In a moment of drunkenness I thought about getting one. Pukka ones have two antennae, a horizontal loop for volume and a vertical one for pitch. Lots of cheapo ones just have a single one. Moog are often regarded as the biz. Lots of people build simple ones and flog them on eBay, and I'm sure they're OK for cod sci fi sound effects, but are not the real thing.

Believe it or not there is a web site dedicated to the things - Theremin world, surprise surprise. Lots of info on it.

Jon

PS. If you buy one, I will

(a) want to play with it, and

(b) be convinced you are a nutter

Jon

 

[old git]

As a wild rock saxist, would reproducing "Good Vibrations" do anything for your image, Jules?

 

[Flipper2008]

Bill Baily is a master of the Theramin, check out his live concert vids, what a guy ))

 

[Jules]

Yes- I was drunk at the afermentioned tigerlilleis gig but their bass player was superb on T' theramin- going for a hybrid of 1930s Wiemar Cabaret & 1950s Sci-Fi B-movie. The combo- on a few tracks- of operatic vocals, accordion, theramin, bowed double bass and brushed drums made for a fascinatingly different 'sound texture' & was remarkably atmospheric.
I claim the ownership, and insistence on playing, a musical saw already lands me firmly in t'nutter camp!

 

[Young Col]

Yes indeed, Bill Bailey is a master of the Theremin (Jon has the right spelling, after the Russian inventor). See him live or if not get a vid of Part Troll (which will crack you up regardless of the Theremin!).

Theremins work by hand capacitance near the antannae. Bit wierd but takes some skill to get the pitch right.
Colin

 

[Young Col]

Now I'm spelling things wrong - antennae (sorry!) and there's quite a lot on the web about Theremins.

 

[old git]

Now I'm spelling things wrong - antennae (sorry!) and there's quite a lot on the web about Theremins.

Show off!

What's wrong with Ariel?

They were good bikes.

 

[Young Col]

What, the Aerial Lead(er), otherwise known as co-axial or twin open line feeder? Can't have been that good or they'd still be in business.

Screened cable would stop a Theremin working quite effectively, so why am I praising this strange instrument when I spend what's left of my professional life trying to persuade people to stop polluting the radio spectrum by stopping stray radio frequency energy escaping from things? Losing it, or lost it already probably....( excuse me all, somewhat weary from glaucoma tests at the 'spital today. At least I could legitimately wear shades indoors afterwards - but it was very bright outside even wearing shades 'cos my pupils were still dilated!).

 

[chadders]

John Otway has been a theremin exponent for a number of years. Its well worth seeing him live ( with or without a theremin !!)

Chad

 

[jonf]

Ah, John Otway. Beware of the flowers 'cos I'm sure they're going to get you, yeah.

Wonder what ever happened to Wild Willy Barratt?

 

[half diminished]

Bill Baily is a master of the Theramin, check out his live concert vids, what a guy ))

Yeh, saw him live - Half man, half Troll. Superb.

 

[old git]

Wasn't it Mr. Otway who would saw halfway through the neck of a guitar, increasing his ability to emulate a slide guitar? Had to pick very cheap ones without a bracing rod and of course totalled them during what remained of the act.

Laughed until the heart attack.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Actually, there is a track with theremin on "Radio breakfast"

 

[Andrew Sanders]

Ah, John Otway. Beware of the flowers 'cos I'm sure they're going to get you, yeah.

Wonder what ever happened to Wild Willy Barratt?

I believe they are still playing together. They are staying at my mate's B&B in Whitby next month after the gig.