What is a theremin?
Theremin (thereminvox, literally – “The Voice of Theremin”) monophonic space-controlled electro- musical instrument, created in 1919 by the Russian inventor Leon Theremin.
On the theremin are playing with movements of the hands in the air, near the two antennas. Vertical line antenna is responsible for the tone of the sound, horizontal – for its volume.
Theremin was the first concert elecrtro-musical instrument. And up to our days theremin is the only instrument in the world, which sound is created by just movements of hands in air – without touching.
Thanks to the invention of Lev Theremin all over the world began to appear new music instruments – so theremin is often called the world’s first electro-musical instrument (which is false), and Lev Theremin is considered the “father of electronic musi”c. Throughout the XX century theremin used in a variety of musical styles – academic music, jazz, blues, experimental music, space music, ambient.