Garrgh! I just got given a TOY theremin!

Just so you can pity me even more, here's a picture of the same model:

http://i18.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/81/be/8f_1.JPG

Have them listen to a real theremin recording from the internet, then show them that there is no way your theremin can play that kind of music.
Good Luck ;-)

do exactly what i did with my b3 theremin....make it sound great and ebay it

Be sincere. Tell your aunt that you really appreciate this but also that that thing is not a REAL theremin, but a simple toy for kids. Try to ask her if she still is on time to refund the money, and tell her that you really would appreciate it in collaboration for an Etherwave.

Of course, make her listen to a real theremin played by the best ones (Pamelia Kurstin, Peter Pringle, Clara Rockmore...) and tell her/them that with that it will not be possible to play that at all.

I forgot... first the audio examples, later try to play it in front of her... and "suggest" it would be great a 2 antenna theremin to learn to play music more than effects... be kind, and maybe she would suggest that solution I told you by her own ;)

Thanks for the advice. That made it significantly easier than I had expected to make my parents understand the dialemma.

I will probably try to sell it on Ebay (ideal theremin for beginners! 'I find the single antenna model far superior!' etc. . .) if I can persuade my parents to let me. It might be a bit harsh to secretly sell someone's birthday present to me days after receiving it, but they can sell for a suprising amount. Otherwise I could re-cycle it and save money on someone else's birthday present. . . .

Anyway. Thanks for the help- I had to vent my frustration somewhere. ;=)

Your welcome folk ;)

If it has only one antenna, it is *not* a Theremin. It's an Aetherphon.

I would be grateful that your Aunt put that much thought into your gift and actually tracked something down for you. That's pretty cool even if it is not exactly what you wanted, plus I'm sure you can find some use for it.

Naw..I say...download a few theremin MP3s from the web, burn them over to CD, or record them to cassette tape, mail it to your dear Auntie, and say that you've been practicing hard and that you thank her very much for the gift.

At least you're not...

Thereminless