Newbie to everything theremin with a few questions.

Hello, I am a 20 (almost 21) year-old music fanatic who has been fascinated by theremins for years and am now thinking about making my first purchase. I took piano lessons for five years and guitar for two, but never really became skilled at playing them, instead focusing more on theory and composition. However, I want to change that with the theremin. Naturally, I have a few questions before I take the dive:

1. Would I be able to adequately learn solely using DVD lessons? I ask this because although I have the time to practice hours a day, I doubt I have the access or funds to private lessons for an instrument such as a theremin.

2. From the many reviews I have read, I am heavily leaning towards getting a B3 Deluxe. I really do not want to spend more than $300, and it seems like an excellent value for only $200. Is there anything one would recommend otherwise?

I look forward to (hopefully) joining the theremin community soon.

Hi,

Welcome! I'm also a newbie so don't pay too much attention to what I say, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will reply shortly. But since I had similar budget restrictions as you I think my personal experience could be useful.

First, are you aware that apart from the theremin you are going to need an amplifier? The theremin produces a signal but you need something to turn it into actual sound. Actually, an amplifier is not 100% necessary, for example I started by connecting the theremin to my PC's line-in and using the speakers for sound. So if you don't have money for an amplifier you might want to start like this. It works, but you will probably want to buy an amplifier later for audio quality.

Of course, if you took piano lessons maybe you have a keyboard with an amplifier already...

About the B3 Deluxe, I bought a standard B3 and after about two months playing (I said I was a newbie) I'm perfectly happy with it. Everyone will tell you that the Etherwave or other $400+ theremins are better, which of course I'm sure is true (I hope to get one at some point in the not too distant future). But if you just can't spend that kind of money, which was also my case, I think the B3 (and by extension, the B3 Deluxe, of course) is fine. I still make many mistakes when I play but I'm afraid the mistakes are mine, not the theremin's, so I still have much to learn with it. It has accomplished its mission of introducing me to the theremin world and making me want more :)

Search youtube for videos of Thomas Grillo playing the B3 theremins and you will see what can be done with them.

Greetings and welcome from a fellow Ohioan.

You're right - you're not going to find any qualified theremin instructors in your area. The closest thing would be a voice coach, but they wouldn't be much help with playing technique. If you are anywhere near Stark county, I could possibly lend a hand.

You're right that the B3 Deluxe is probably your best bet for the money. I am seriously thinking about selling my Enkelaar theremin, but I can't say how it compares to the B3.

The question is....if you've never become skilled at playing the piano or guitar, what makes you think you will be successful with the theremin? It has its own unique set of challanges.

I see a trend developing. I am also in Ohio (Columbus area) and have an Etherwave in transit, should be delivered this week. I had some interest in the theremin and went to Moogfest this year, where I attended a theremin workshop which pushed me over the edge to order. My background is mostly in guitar, voice, and some keyboard, but I did direct my church choir for a number of years. Experimenting with the theremin at Moogfest makes me think that if you have some basic music skills, you will be OK, but that you also need to really be able to "feel" your music for lack of a better term. I'll let you know for sure once I start practicing regularly.
Ohio- the theremin capitol of the world?

Thanks for the replies.

AlKhwarizmi, I have both keyboard and guitar amps. From what I have researched keyboard amps work best.

Jeff S, I am actually very close to Stark. I live in Barberton, which is a little south of Akron. To answer your question about my experience with piano/guitar, it was not that I couldn't become skilled, it was that I lost interest in those instruments for various reasons. I never really enjoyed playing the piano; it was basically my parents' idea that I took lessons. I never practiced, because I had no interest in learning it. When I moved to guitar after a few years hiatus of piano, it was my decision, and because I actively made an effort and practiced often, I am much better at it than I ever was at piano, even though I only had a third of the lesson time. However, the guitar had its limitations, as I was always unsatisfied with its sound color (both acoustic and electric), the constant maintenance required was a pain, and my musical tastes changed from when I first started playing it, from folk and "stadium" rock to classical, jazz, and the avant-garde.

I neglected to mention that I took and excelled in vocal lessons my whole life up until my senior year in high school, when I lost most of my range after a bout with bronchitis (one of the most upsetting things that ever happened in my life). However, the lessons did give me an excellent ear for pitch, even if they no longer help me on voice.

Hope this answers your questions.

"Ohio- the theremin capitol of the world?" - Theremark

LOL...Good one! We're not quite there yet, but it looks like interest here is picking up. It's still a no-man's-land when it comes to touring theremimist performances. When you two get your theremins, there will be five I know of in Ohio. I'm sure there's more - we just never hear from them.

MJongo - Thanks for the answers. Perhaps you will be one of the lucky few who can pick it up rather easily. If not, it's a long, painstaking process. Not for the faint-hearted. That's assuming you intend to play melodically in the standard scale. If playing "experimental" is your plan, the hill is a little less steep.

The theremin IS good for those who want to "sing" but don't have a good voice for it. You still need a good sense of pitch though.

Barberton is a straight shot up S.R. 21 for me. I have a couple different models of theremin. If you have any interest in hanging with an old guy for an hour or two, send me an email. I'll never be turning pro, but I may be able to give you a couple of useful tips.

If there is a theremin get together in Ohio please keep me in mind. I live on the north end of Columbus but am a native Clevelander so get up north pretty often.
The theremin arrived yesterday, and I hooked it up through my guitar effects processor and into the amp and had some fun. I figured out "Silent Night" and will keep practicing this weekend.
My goal is to be able to play some of the string parts in "I am the Walrus" at a John Lennon tribute I'm playing in on Wednesday.

[i]Jeff S wrote: "I am seriously thinking about selling my Enkelaar theremin"[/i]

I would be interested in buying it in order to have a new additional item in my small theremin museum (the Moog EStandard, the Theremax, The B3 and the Gakken Premium feel sometimes lonely together) and for technical studying purposes.

AlKhwarizmi - Please email me at my email address in the post above.

I guess you are referring to MJongo, right? I'm not from Ohio :)