Just got a theremin, and the hand gestures are driving me nuts!

I'm having trouble with hand gestures. The 8 point is kind of a lot even though I could see myself using it later, when I'm any good. Are there other methods and if so, can I get pics? I've read so many descriptions of the subtle movements of the fingers and the wrist and I have a lot of trouble learning anything that way .So thank you if you can help, no worries if you can't .
Btw this is my first post 🙂

Hi vespertine! I recently played for the first time on the Theremin Phoenix, invented by Christopher. In this thread there is a video that clearly shows the movement of the hands. " Build an Analog Theremin that Rivals a Modern Day Classic for about $100" I recommend to look. The rest depends on practical exercises. Each performer develops his own convenient technique, but this comes with time. Clara Rockmore wrote a lot about the technique of playing the theremin. I advise you to find her articles on the Internet.

Hi and welcome in the Theremin family.

The finger positions are well documented and explained in Carolina Eyck's theremin method which you can order here: https://www.carolinaeyck.com/method

Unfortunately, your profile does not show more about who you are and where you are based, so I can't point you towards an approved theremin teacher in your region. But you should understand that, since the theremin is a rare instrument, teachers are rare, too, and you most probably won't find one just round the corner.

That's why we have set up the system of the Theremin Academies in Western Europe. These academies are organized 4 or 5 times a year in different European towns (i.e. Oxford, Lippstadt, Berlin, Lausanne, Colmar) during a long weekend. This gives Thereminists of all playing levels the opportunity to meet and exchange with other players, to have individual or group lessons, partake in workshops or ensembles, etc. Normally, people make great progress during that weekend and return home afterwards with enough homework to do until the next academy. More info here: https://theremin.academy

Hi vespertine! I recently played for the first time on the Theremin Phoenix, invented by Christopher. In this thread there is a video that clearly shows the movement of the hands. " Build an Analog Theremin that Rivals a Modern Day Classic for about $100" I recommend to look. The rest depends on practical exercises. Each performer develops his own convenient technique, but this comes with time. Clara Rockmore wrote a lot about the technique of playing the theremin. I advise you to find her articles on the Internet.

Thank you! I have started reading Clara Rockmore, I have a PDF of her book but I'm trying to get as much as I can and video helps a lot. Thank you for the link and I will keep practicing.

Hi and welcome in the Theremin family. The finger positions are well documented and explained in Carolina Eyck's theremin method which you can order here: https://www.carolinaeyck.com/methodUnfortunately, your profile does not show more about who you are and where you are based, so I can't point you towards an approved theremin teacher in your region. But you should understand that, since the theremin is a rare instrument, teachers are rare, too, and you most probably won't find one just round the corner.That's why we have set up the system of the Theremin Academies in Western Europe. These academies are organized 4 or 5 times a year in different European towns (i.e. Oxford, Lippstadt, Berlin, Lausanne, Colmar) during a long weekend. This gives Thereminists of all playing levels the opportunity to meet and exchange with other players, to have individual or group lessons, partake in workshops or ensembles, etc. Normally, people make great progress during that weekend and return home afterwards with enough homework to do until the next academy. More info here: https://theremin.academy

Thanks for the reply! I live in the US and not in a major city .I never figured lessons would be an option for me. I did check around where I live just in case. I couldn't go to Europe for a lot or reasons, most financial, although that sounds more helpful than anything I can pull off on my own. But I'm really good at teaching myself things as long as I have some kind of guide. I did get Carolina Eick's book, her gestures are what I'm working with. I think I might need to go with fewer movements, maybe 6 . Thank you again .is there another part of the forums that would have more answers/resources?

Just practise and be patient. You'll eventually find how many hand movements fit you best, depending on what you're playing etc..!

Hi - I just got my first theremin too and I was having the same problems. Partly I think because I have quite small hands. Yesterday I really worked at it and had a breakthrough. My gestures aren't 'perfect' but I can now play a scale in a way that works reliably for me. Just stick at it!

My biggest issue is getting mine tuned just right

Thank you both for your replies! I really appreciate it, it's not easy finding help.  

@mpampouras I think I'm used to catching onto things faster but I was convinced I wasn't letting that thinking affect me. But I think it does a little. I have a Moog Theremini so the display tells me which notes I'm playing, I can use pitch correction, and it's set up very well for beginners without sacrificing the sound. I usually don't correct the pitch because I know how it should sound, it really is a matter of the gestures . I guess it doesn't matter if I follow one person's style exactly, as long as I can get a decent flow .And practice!

@pollyanna109 luckily I don't have to tune mine, I wanted to see if I could be any good at this without spending more money (the rarest and most expensive instrument!) But it looks difficult .My hands seem like a problem, too but they are different than yours, so maybe most hands are good? I have kind of long palms and my fingers are really long and the joints are weird .They're what people call "double-jointed" but it's actually a genetic disease I have. I've found incorporating my wrist is helping me because it can move more subtly than my fingers sometimes . I can almost reliably play a scale of literally no one is watching and I can go back when I mess up. I still feel like I'm getting lucky when I pull off a scale . Congrats on getting yours down so quick!

Thank you both, I am so used to Facebook/Instagram, I keep trying to find a ''like" button near your posts .

The solution is just too simple.

Do not use hand positions or finger positions.

The pitch antenna only cares about proximity and mass, not the shape of your hand or the position of fingers.

Your body motion works on ANGLES, your motor control is faster than your conscious mind. The time and energy you spend on those positions interferes with play, at least until you no longer have to think about them.

How do you pitch? Same way you SHOULD pitch the theremin, at the elbow. sweeping the hand, held in a neutral's position (don't think about it) from the breastbone to the pitch antenna, from the lowest pitch to the highest pitch.

Practice intervals, seconds, thirds, fourths, octaves. Adjust your wrist or fingers too fine tune the notes until you get proficient. 

Play slowly to start out and speed up as you get comfortable and accurate.

After a couple of years you can play fast and accurate as it becomes easy. So easy you don't have to have the same expression many thereminsts have.

DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR HAND, listen to it. 

If you desire "precision" (well tempered theremin) rest your elbow on something solid or your knee.

DO NOT PLAY FAST  for more than a couple of seconds at a time otherwise you will pay for it.

Pitch correction is stupid, use all the frequencies you can. Off is human and deviation from perfect pitch is reasonable artistic expression if you understand music.

Once it becomes too easy . . . an korg arp odyssey module with no keyboard played by moving sliders is far more interesting musically and requires the same high level motor control skills that make us feel special. That depends if you want to please an audience.

Better to please yourself.

Aim for the doable.

Fingering positions and pole antenna make that a tough one.

I use a plate antenna.

BTW "Red House" starring Edward G Robinson has some great theremin playing.

Does anyone know of any good kazoo teachers?

I am feeling generous and well off.

; )