I was at a friend's birthday party over the weekend and there were several acoustic guitars there.
I brought my guitar too (and the theremin as an afterthought).
Some of the guests started playing some standards and folk songs etc. I just knew it wasn't a theremin crowd so I left the Etherwave in the trunk until my friend wanted to see it.
He finally convinced me to set it up and I could see the faces of the guitar players. They did not look happy about the prospect of wierd electronic noise. One of them even started talking about Jimmy Page so I know what his theremin experiences were like.
During a break in the music I demo'd the etherwave and got some good repsonses from the other guests. Several of them tried their hand at the instrument.
Well, I did a few tunes on my guitar and then someone started playing "Angel From Montgomery" and everyone was singing along.
It was too much for me (and I know the song pretty well from much exposure to it at various festivals I have played) so I got up and played during what would have been a lead break (and winced at two slightly off notes).
When I was done, the Jimmy Page guy said "take another one!" to me so I went another few bars (and did better with zero wrong notes (with the help of some vibrato and slides).
They LOVED it. Applause broke out and I played on a few more tunes that night.
Now, I am not a great player by any means. I can do some melodies and stay on key most of the time. I also know when not to play (which is more important.)
I am, however, the only person I have ever met in person who actually uses the theremin for more than just spooky sounds and effects.
Long story short. I made a few converts and exposed some people to a glimpse of what this wonderful instrument can do.
I brought my guitar too (and the theremin as an afterthought).
Some of the guests started playing some standards and folk songs etc. I just knew it wasn't a theremin crowd so I left the Etherwave in the trunk until my friend wanted to see it.
He finally convinced me to set it up and I could see the faces of the guitar players. They did not look happy about the prospect of wierd electronic noise. One of them even started talking about Jimmy Page so I know what his theremin experiences were like.
During a break in the music I demo'd the etherwave and got some good repsonses from the other guests. Several of them tried their hand at the instrument.
Well, I did a few tunes on my guitar and then someone started playing "Angel From Montgomery" and everyone was singing along.
It was too much for me (and I know the song pretty well from much exposure to it at various festivals I have played) so I got up and played during what would have been a lead break (and winced at two slightly off notes).
When I was done, the Jimmy Page guy said "take another one!" to me so I went another few bars (and did better with zero wrong notes (with the help of some vibrato and slides).
They LOVED it. Applause broke out and I played on a few more tunes that night.
Now, I am not a great player by any means. I can do some melodies and stay on key most of the time. I also know when not to play (which is more important.)
I am, however, the only person I have ever met in person who actually uses the theremin for more than just spooky sounds and effects.
Long story short. I made a few converts and exposed some people to a glimpse of what this wonderful instrument can do.
