Hello from an English woman in France (complete theremin beginner)

I'm creeping very nervously into this forum, as there are some amazingly knowledgeable people on here, and I know nahthing!

Let me introduce myself... My name is Esther, but feel free to call me Cow (an affectionate nickname from my brother).
Although born and brought up in England, I moved to France nearly 20 years ago. I love music, and I'm lucky enough to have a very tolerant husband who appreciates that I need to play, to learn, and to feed my instrument collection.
I almost own a theremin - I'm waiting impatiently for my OpenTheremin V4.5 to arrive, hopefully in a couple of days. Whilst waiting, I've been making a wally of myself practising hand shapes and volume control on my imaginary instrument.

I'm probably going to be handicapped in my theremin journey by my lack of knowledge of electronics, however, I'm keen to learn from you all.

Esther, I wonder if you have any experience with the instrument. For example, at shows, at a friend's house, or in a music store?

Hello Ilya, I sense the gentle concern behind your query, thank you.

I've not yet had the pleasure of playing a theremin. Life is a bit complicated at the moment, and I tend to be housebound quite a lot of the time. Some of the treatments that I'm undergoing give me hand / foot syndrome, which makes touching anything or walking quite unbearable. This is one of the appeals of the theremin. Being able to continue to learn and make music even on those days will help a lot.

I appreciate that this is not an easy instrument, but definitely don't want to be one of the "unboxing, weeewoooo, dust collector" crowd.
I am quite happy to become addicted to it, thus putting in the time necessary to progress. I've been inspired, not only by watching the great players, but also the people brave enough to post on here.

I already sight read music, have sung in choirs, and play a few instruments requiring pitch adjustment, so the musical side should hopefully start okay. The coordination and physical discipline can only come with lots of practice, and the electrical knowledge will come with studying.

I hope I've allayed a little of your concern? :-)

I admire your interest in pursuing the theremin. When people are new I always cringe as there is an aspect about it that most will never experience, maybe it is spiritual . . . but also the complex technical side a newbie could not imagine.

This performance is one of my favorites done on a "synth" I think, not the Theremin Phenomena yet still beautiful.

I wish you the best of success & Merry Christmas

Christopher

Oh Christopher, thank you so much for this video.
I'm listening to it as I prepare to sleep, and am blown away by the mastery.

I've got "lost in another world" when playing other instruments, and I can only imagine that the intensity with the theremin is even higher due to the extreme rigour necessary to play even at a basic level.

Taking of which, if you've not read "Mingus Fingers" by David Sandner and Jacob Weisman, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too, and thank you again for your kind reply.