Hmmm ... That is a very good question Peter.
While I do love the lovely sound I get from it, my stature is just not optimum for the really deep cabinet.
I feel that I have to really extend my arm and significantly change my technique to play this theremin correctly.
The volume is also a challenge: I feel there is a fatal flaw in the volume response. It is very touchy to convey feeling through the loop. It’s either deafeningly loud or pretty much silent. Though I could “live” with this flaw, the depth of the cabinet is really one that I cannot overcome. I feel that a taller person (heck, anyone over 5’2”) would be better suited to this theremin.
I am not certain that I “progressed” that much, maybe for me ~ the “holy grail” is different than most perhaps? I know a lot of people are looking for the perfect theremin sound to become their musical muse. I think for me (at least for now), I am trying to find this “zen” place where I can marry my “physical being” to the strange relationship with the theremin to play it correctly (as much as a human being can). To have ease of movement or lack of strain (I also need to watch for the carpal tunnel I finally got rid of 2 years ago) is FAR more important to me than the actual sound of the theremin: Relaxation/least amount of rigidness in your hands is a must if you want to play the theremin effectively. That is my “Holy Grail”. Anyone who can make a toy theremin sound ear pleasing, well ~ is a master in my opinion (I am sure anyone can debate this...)
Am I making sense, Peter?