? is the single most important thing a new player should be practicing?

hi im very new but very intrested in becomming a compotent theremin player..any suggestions to put me on the correct path?

1. Do not assume that you can figure it all out on your own and get the results you want. There are a number of instructional DVD's available but the methods taught are different. Watch the videos of thereminists that are available on public access sites and follow the method of the one you like best. If that player has an instructional DVD, get it.

Do you have a favorite thereminist?

2. With the theremin, EVERYBODY'S AN EXPERT. Do not take any advice from anyone whose playing you do not like, or have not heard.

3. Imitate the playing and approach of the thereminist you most admire until your own musical style and ideas kick in by themselves.

4. The single most important thing a new player should be practicing is patience.

Theremin quote of the day: "You can't just walk up to the theremin and say 'Open sesame!' and expect to play. No, it takes years of hard work and attention to detail." Clara Rockmore

When you say "competent" that could be interpeted many ways. If you are talking about the ability to play traditional music (notes, scales, etc) on the theremin then your first step would be to become competent on a traditional instrument such as the piano.

ty COAL for the input!

hey KKISS...sry ab the comp0tent spelling 1st of all i m a horrible speller and to lazy to spellcheck....

i can play the guitar aleready and have been playing for a living for the past 9 yrs.. on the national and international level in blues,soul and funk bands... one of my goals is to take "its your thing" by the isley bros. and use the theremin in place of the vocals... so that is the direction im heading in

ty for your time

Btl,

Excellent that you already possess musical skills.

You may want to consider purchasing Peter Pringle's DVD (it is sold from his website). It has everything you need to get started.

I started out with his DVD and it provided a good foundation. Also, download the Rockmore excercises -- that will get you started with some scales and other drills for you to work on.

Happy Theremining!

alright sounds good kkiss ty for the help

I should perhaps add that working with methods and DVDs is a fine start, but at long term individual lessons may be still more helpful. There are such events from time to time - mostly called Theremin Festivals - where you may meet professionals and get individual or group lessons from beginner level up to master classes.

If you work and practice always alone you risk to acquire bad habits which will prevent you from getting better at a certain point. That's why professional observation and teaching from time to time is a must in my eyes.

hey thierry

i couldnt agree w you more. i would prefer to have personal instruction over a dvd for sure. as long as the eacher was good lol. where can i find out ab these theremin fests? i live in las vegas...there are always tons of conventions etc... here.. are they ever any held out here?

hey thierry

i couldnt agree w you more. i would prefer to have personal instruction over a dvd for sure. as long as the eacher was good lol. where can i find out ab these theremin fests? i live in las vegas...there are always tons of conventions etc... here.. are they ever any held out here?