theremins, Vulcans, Ferangi, Linearity,Commercial, Anything really ;-)

Something that became very clear to me many years ago is that thereminists do not agree on what constitutes a good instrument. There is no agreement on configuration, linearity, design, sound or playing technique.

There is some level of disagreement (thank God) in all musical communities but because there is no established tradition for either theremin making or theremin playing, everybody has their own ideas.

This is further complicated by the fact that most people come to the instrument as adults with their own preconceptions already formed about what a theremin should be. I have often heard people who have never even owned a theremin hold forth at great length about how a theremin ought to be built, played, and sound. 

The reason people can get away with this seems to be because, as I said, even theremin "experts" disagree and there is no foundation for the teaching, playing or building of the instrument that we can point to as basic. 

IMNSHO this will not change because the instrument itself will always remain marginal, on the musical fringe, appealing only to a relatively small but dedicated group of enthusiasts (dat's us folks!!). Why must it remain marginal? Because as a device for the making of music it is severely limited, extremely difficult to play, and it is highly unlikely that it will ever be possible for anyone to make a full time living from it.

"via ebay regularly a model is being offered, regularly being bought and unfortunately regularly just a "theremin" for FX.." - Dominik

Is it really good for anything else?

But I do take your valid points - I was not actually looking at "entry level" at all when I was developing - I was looking at high-end and higher-than-what-has-yet -been-seen end. My focus has now been diverted to entry-level because my big plans have moved out of grasp for now.

"it again becomes that complicated features overloaded one"

Perhaps you misunderstand - or perhaps I do..  I took the "bait" - This is something I tend to do.. A proposition is presented for reducing cost by going the CV route - Having been this route, I simply elaborated and gave reasons to explain why this was not the route for a low cost theremin.. But, as usual, I said too much - my passion probably showed. I am not passionate about "entry level" .. But I do see this area has a need - I also see a big hole once filled by the EW-Pro.

"Yes, solving riddles just by thoughts is a welcome way to satisfy intellect." - That is all I have right now - Even if I had access to my lab, it would probably take me a week to to put a S/C kit together.. I have a few choices - top myself, resign myself to fate and sign of as disabled and live off benefits, or use this time as constructively as I can so that when I am really back on my feet (which I WILL BE) this time will have been usefully spent. 

Fred.

 "There is no agreement on configuration, linearity, design, sound or playing technique"

"The reason people can get away with this seems to be because, as I said, even theremin "experts" disagree and there is no foundation for the teaching, playing or building of the instrument that we can point to as basic." 

" Because as a device for the making of music it is severely limited, extremely difficult to play, and it is highly unlikely that it will ever be possible for anyone to make a full time living from it."

- Coalport.

Yeah. And ? .. Do the above "facts" make us all fools and idiots ? Was the extensive posting I made answering those questions simply some sort of game for  amusement ? If nobody knows anything about anything about theremins, nobody really wants to know anything about theremins (we are all here just because we have loads of spare time and lots of hot air to release), what is the point in discussing anything about theremins?

In most subjects,when there is uncertainty, rational discussion between rational people usually provides at least a hypothetical framework with some testable propositions.

I have a proposition - it (or something similar) was floated once on levnet I think - I propose that either (a) people with personality disorders ar disproportionately attracted to theremins, or (b) theremins cause or increase the probability of personality disorders.

Im off - these last two posts are too depressing - See you all again someday, possibly... I need to go and take care of my personality and other disorders.

Fred.

Coalport wrote:

Amey, my reference to people buying really cheap instruments was more or less directed at those who buy gakken type theremin toys and circuit bent gizmos - something you definitely did NOT do. Also, unlike many newcomers to the instrument, you knew exactly where you wanted to go with the theremin when you started, and you're well on your way to getting there.

Wow... I am really touched that you wrote this about moi? You are right, though I am a big dreamer, I did and still do have a clear image of where I want to be when I grow up in my theremin journey. A lot of people are so curious and smitten that when they start, they have no concise plan or direction and can get discouraged and abandon it in the beginning. That is also contributed tothattheremin they play. I'll b honest here, I started with my wavefront and I think its is one of the worst theremin I've played so far. no linearity, strange spacing and volume response is abysmal. Then Dominik built me this amazing voicematic V3, andimmediately, We connected spiritually. Don't know of this is possible betHumana live being and a machine, but it was love at first note. I then made tremendous leaps and bounds in my playing and though I've been playing for a little over a year, I feel confident that I am on my way to self greatness (and I mean this in a modest way). I am proud of what I've achieved, but without the help of other people who though I could, I wouldn't be here today talking about it :)

So thank you again Coalport, you have a bit of niceguy-ness inside of you... I just witnessed it :)

The Art of the Theremin

Art - to become highly proficient at something through practice

The greater the decrease in the social significance of an art form, the sharper the distinction between criticism and enjoyment by the public. The conventional is uncritically enjoyed, and the truly new is criticized with aversion. Walter Benjamin

As well as there are gifted performers there are also gifted theremin designers. I once met a man that did not criticize or discourage. In my early primitive theremin research he picked it up along with me and took us to a higher level. This may well be the brilliant Dominik’s first theremin build where he taught the teacher. Take a Peek   

I think he is blushing!   (-‘

Thank goodness you did not have a Theremin Volume Control to sell as I have learned so much in the past year.

Christopher

Dominik's designs are amazing. The sound is pure and beautiful. And for that, I thank him. I contacted him one late night with a list of wishes and wants, that would have probably made any theremin builders run away far from! But he listened and built this left handed theremin tspams am so grateful for. He propelled my learning and love for the instrument. That is a gift right there.

So, Dominik, thank you for your craft. Now I can enjoy mine :)

@Fred
just a "theremin" for FX.." Is it really good for anything else?

I guess not. But a big seller. The amateur is astonished, the specialist is surprised..

..or use this time as constructively as I can so that when I am really back on my feet (which I WILL BE) this time will have been usefully spent.

Understandable. Apologies for my galopp. Who am i to tell you what to consider.

@Christopher
The second, after Art Harrisons "minimum theremin". Brilliant.. teacher.. hmm. But thanks!

@Amethyste
Thanks to you, too. And now i can enjoy your playing!

Fred: Yeah. And ? .... Do the above "facts" make us all fools and idiots ? Was the extensive posting I made answering those questions simply some sort of game for  amusement ? If nobody knows anything about anything about theremins, nobody really wants to know anything about theremins (we are all here just because we have loads of spare time and lots of hot air to release), what is the point in discussing anything about theremins?

Fred, Those above "facts" will no doubt inspire the same level of general disagreement that we see in other areas regarding the theremin. IOW, they are only MY facts - not necessarily the facts of others. Fools & idiots, you ask? Neither. I would say it probably makes us obsessives and compulsives.

As for your posting being some sort of amusement, I think there is probably an element of that in all our internet posts, twitters, blogs & tweets.

In regard to nobody knowing anything about anything, I'm not sure where that came from.  I think the problem is that everybody knows everything about everything!

Amey, I'm not trying to be either "Mr. Niceguy" or a troublemaker. I just state the "facts" as I see them. The most exciting thing that has happened in a very long time is the discovery of the Higgs boson!

"Im off - these last two posts are too depressing - See you all again someday, possibly."  -FredM

Come on back Fred!  You're an incredible inspiration (particularly to this wannabe designer)!  I sincerely hope the rough patch you're going through lately resolves itself soon and you can return to the things you enjoy doing.

It will never be possible to create a "one size fits all" theremin because the needs and tastes of players are too diverse. Bob Moog probably came closest when he built the MIDI Ethervox, but the hefty price tag ($3500.00 new and that quickly rose to $4500.00) limited the number of potential buyers and fewer than 50 were sold.

The needs of a traditional, precision theremin player are liable to be quite different from the requirements of someone into the avant garde/experimental genre and a theremin that satisfies one, will probably be unsuitable for the other.

In 1934, when Edgard Varese wrote ECUATORIAL, the existing instruments of Lev Termen had an insufficient range and had to be specially modified so that very high frequencies could be played.

There could very well be a demand for a formant control device, under $200.00, designed specifically for theremins. Don't forget, it was the Mooger Fooger that saved Bob Moog from bankruptcy, not high end high quality theremins!

With all the theremin makers around these days there could be an opportunity for someone to capitalize on all of them by creating a versatile, low cost add-on (similar to the ELECTRO-HARMONIX Talking Machine) with applications that could interest theremin players of all genres.