Hello,everyone...finally I have a theremin..I have this silly smile on my face that i just cant wipe off.....but .....apart from tuning and gaining perfect pitch...what other hints and tips would you suggest I mean anything even if you think `` oh thats minor im sure he`ll know that ,``...tell me.....anyway...thanks heaps in advance....bleeper
Im new and happy,tips please!
Posted: 7/14/2005 8:19:21 AM
Congratulations on your new theremin!
When starting out, I found it helpful to just play along with CDs for a while. Not only was it more fun (for me) than hours of practicing arpeggios, but it helped me get familiar with the pitch response on my theremin.
Most of all, when you get frustrated, make sure you stick with it. The theremin is a marvelous instrument (as you know), and it really needs more masters.
What other beginner tips do folks have?
When starting out, I found it helpful to just play along with CDs for a while. Not only was it more fun (for me) than hours of practicing arpeggios, but it helped me get familiar with the pitch response on my theremin.
Most of all, when you get frustrated, make sure you stick with it. The theremin is a marvelous instrument (as you know), and it really needs more masters.
What other beginner tips do folks have?
Posted: 7/14/2005 8:30:22 PM
Practice ALOT! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Can you tell us what type/brand of theremin you have and what you plan to do with it?
I guess not EVERYONE likes heavy vibrato...but I do! Actually, I feel the best players know how to use the steady tone and vibrato in equal measure and at the right times.
My best advice is...if you're having a bad playing day, turn off the theremin and come back tomorrow. If tomorrow is a bad day, try again the next day. Forcing it when it's just not happening will just frustrate you and might make you lose interest.
The moral of the story is...just keep trying.
Can you tell us what type/brand of theremin you have and what you plan to do with it?
I guess not EVERYONE likes heavy vibrato...but I do! Actually, I feel the best players know how to use the steady tone and vibrato in equal measure and at the right times.
My best advice is...if you're having a bad playing day, turn off the theremin and come back tomorrow. If tomorrow is a bad day, try again the next day. Forcing it when it's just not happening will just frustrate you and might make you lose interest.
The moral of the story is...just keep trying.
Posted: 7/15/2005 5:09:36 AM
Yay! I have exactly the same silly smile glued all over my face too. I got my Etherwave five days ago and have to try not to keep mentioning it in every conversation. Here are some things that I've deduced so far, and that I keep to myself:
1. Don't waste ages tuning your Theremin exactly to zero beat. I find that so long as it is grumbling *slightly* when I put my hands by my sides I can get a coherent tune out of it. You need to adapt and listen carefully every time you play it anyway- I doubt anyone could play a theremin byu muscle memory alone.
2. Practice each new piece without vibrato first. It's much less complicated that way, and will enable you to concentrate more on hitting the 'centre' of each note, rather than missing it slightly and having to adjust audibly.
3. Don't worry about perfect pitch skills. I can play through tunes and not know what key they're in, or what the intervals are. Just get the tune of the piece that you want to play absolutely glued into your skull until it's impossible to remove. In fact- make sure you can sing a long to a piece acceptably before you start to learn it.
4. As Peter Pringle has advised me, wait at least two weeks before recording yourself and plastering mp3s onto the internet. It's hugely tempting to show people how quickly you've taken to the instrument etc. etc. but once a recording's public, you can never be sure it's gone away. It's quite possible that your playing will be the first theremin performance that many people who watch you will have seen, and you don't want to affix a bad performance in their minds. Wait before you strike!
5. Finally- HAVE FUN! (not that you need to be told to do that!)
Charlie
1. Don't waste ages tuning your Theremin exactly to zero beat. I find that so long as it is grumbling *slightly* when I put my hands by my sides I can get a coherent tune out of it. You need to adapt and listen carefully every time you play it anyway- I doubt anyone could play a theremin byu muscle memory alone.
2. Practice each new piece without vibrato first. It's much less complicated that way, and will enable you to concentrate more on hitting the 'centre' of each note, rather than missing it slightly and having to adjust audibly.
3. Don't worry about perfect pitch skills. I can play through tunes and not know what key they're in, or what the intervals are. Just get the tune of the piece that you want to play absolutely glued into your skull until it's impossible to remove. In fact- make sure you can sing a long to a piece acceptably before you start to learn it.
4. As Peter Pringle has advised me, wait at least two weeks before recording yourself and plastering mp3s onto the internet. It's hugely tempting to show people how quickly you've taken to the instrument etc. etc. but once a recording's public, you can never be sure it's gone away. It's quite possible that your playing will be the first theremin performance that many people who watch you will have seen, and you don't want to affix a bad performance in their minds. Wait before you strike!
5. Finally- HAVE FUN! (not that you need to be told to do that!)
Charlie
Posted: 7/15/2005 10:10:26 AM
thanks for the hints and tips people,i`ve had a full day of theremin fun(and if i finally go too sleep...ie its 12.02am on the east coast of australia),i will be having another blissful day of theremin magic tommorrow( err today),I have a kees theremin ,which I am extremely happy with.Once again thank you for the advice...
....bleeper
....bleeper
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