BLUEPRINT:
How the Theremin Works
A musical instrument you never have to touch. No strings, no reeds, no valves. And yet it is considered one of the hardest instruments in the world to master. Its concept is as simple as the drawing on the left, but its technical components are as complicated as the drawing on the right. With so many contradictions surrounding the Theremin, plus the spooky sound it produces, everyone wants to know: HOW DOES IT WORK???
A Theremin has two antennae (see above.) Each antennae produces an invisible electromagnetic field around it. When you bring your hand into the field (it’s perfectly safe) the field has to change its shape to fit around your hand. The antennae sends electrical signals into the “body” of the instrument, and as your hand changes the field, this changes the kind of signals being sent. When you put these signals through an amplifier and a speaker, you hear sounds. These are the sounds of magnetic energy interacting with your own body. The antennae on the right controls the pitch of the sound (bringing your hand closer = higher pitch), and the antennae on the left controls volume (closer = louder.) This is a very simple explanation of a complicated scientific principle. For more information, check out some of the links at the back of this study guide.
Hear it Yourself!
Pretty smart for an old guy, aren’t I?
A few bands that use the Theremin: The Beach Boys (Good Vibrations) Led Zeppelin (Whole Lotta Love) Phish Also, listen to the background muThe Pixies sic in most horror films: especially The Flaming Lips the old black and white ones you Mars Volta see on TV late at night. Spooooky. One Ring Zero www.syracusestage.org www.myspace.com/syracusestageman
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Syracuse Stage Dept. of Educational Outreach (315) 443-1150