Moog Theremini!

It seems to me after reading months of wrangling about the THEREMINI that the opinions of those who like it are incomprehensible to those who do not - and vice versa. 

Robonil has shown us very nicely, and with some pride, what is possible on the instrument when it is used as a “regular theremin” playing classical music.

Hi All!

I'm new here. The theremin has always spoken to me, though I did not realize it. Something happened recently that made me want to investigate further. After countless YouTube videos and posts on this site, I have decided now is the time to get my first theremin. I must say, I'm pretty damn excited about it. I'm not musically inclined and I can't read music (YET), but I'm ready and willing to learn. After reading countless opinions in various posts, I have decided to start off with a Moog Theremini. (I can see you rolling your eyes)! I just think that it will be the best teaching theremin for me. Please remember that I am just a beginner. I rely heavily upon your teaching. One day I hope we have a conversation about how much I have learned and what theremin to purchase next. I look forward to many correspondences with all of you!

Christina

Welcome Christina,

If you have not bought anything yet you should post a link to a video of what you want to play like in two years. Then someone here could give you advise on how best to start your journey with the instrument in your budget. The theremin journey is full of bumps and having supportive friends is important.

Your Uncle Christopher - hum... you are my name sake! (-'

Hey Crafty - it is precisely because you are a beginner that you should not buy a Moog THEREMINI unless you are planning to use the instrument only for FX. 

The THEREMINI is a poor choice as an “entry” theremin for a beginner……but I’m sure you know best.

Coalport said:  I am amazed at these heroic efforts to make the Moog Music THEREMINI look and sound like it's something resembling a viable, traditional theremin. 

I totally agree.  I have said before that there is too much energy going into making this device become Moog's answer to the holy grail of theremins.  IMO we should not force it to become what we want it to be and accept it for what it is. I think the Dareimini sounds like a pretty cool effects machine but why would I waste my time trying to modify it to perform like a traditional insturment?  I prefer to put my time into honing my playing skills and a "Rube Goldberg" machine with all the bells and whistles will not help me accomplish that.

Thomas said:  I'd prefer my students use Etherwaves, or B3s. However, as an instructor I have to be prepared for the eventual probability more of my students will be using them.

I can see the unfortunate attractiveness of the Hairimini to a beginner due to the price point and all of the deceptively cool features.  What an obstacle that would be to an instructor!

I have rebuilt player pianos on and off since I was in high school and have seen more than once a player piano sitting in a house with no player action inside the cabinet. Usually when I asked where the mechanism went to the owners said that they were giving their child piano lessons and it was the only way to keep them focused on learning to play rather than putting in a song roll and pumping out a tune. The player action being outside of the piano then became damaged or nonfunctional from sitting in the basement or attic for too long and eventually got thrown out.  Such a shame! 

I would fear as an instructor that a theremin student may have the same distraction with the Nairimini since it would be far easier and a lot more fun to use all of the cool sound effects and pitch correction. After all that's easier than trying to make a scale sound better than a cat in heat using the traditional theremin mode setting.

Thomas, if price is the issue wouldn't a B3 Plus be a better starter instrument then a Whereimi?  It sells for around $200.

Thank you Uncle Christopher! I will post one soon. I am grateful for the advice.

Coalport, I will be the first to say that I don't know squat. I'm only using all of the information that I can find to come up with some kind of solution. Honestly, I feel that the more I read, the more confused I get. I would love to see a thread from the professional thereminists to the newbies written in more laymans terms than musical. Since I am just an admirer who wishes to become a student, I have no idea what cons you guys are speaking of. I look up the words, but their definitions don't completely explain your points. It leaves me feeling baffled, but I kno that one day I will understand.

I am clay willing to be molded. 

I will post pics and videos of what moves me in terms of style and sound. Thank you all.

Christina,

There are not many theremin choices out there.

If your interest favors classical which I myself prefer then watch this video that an old timer named Peter brought to our attention recently. The EtherWave standard is what's being played and done beautifully. It is the only commercially available theremin I recommend.  Any future add-on modifications will be designed around this one. If you buy one used (< $250) you can get all your money back if you resold it, some things to think about.

Watch The Best of the EWS   Here is another EWS by a 17 yr old.  To get to this level of playing I think it takes passion and a good kind of suffering.

Christopher

Christopher, I love Gregoires style. I also like the fun that Clara Venice brings to the table. I have always thought of a theremin as an instrument that your soul plays. I have a question. Does the theremini sound anything like and EtherWave theremin when the tone control is off? I also have to take into consideration that I am not rich. If I were I would find the theremin pro. That is a thing of beauty!

crafty said: Does the theremini sound anything like and EtherWave theremin when the tone control is off? I also have to take into consideration that I am not rich. If I were I would find the theremin pro. That is a thing of beauty!

That word pro you used worried me, as there is a EtherWave Pro but I do not recommend them and it is not just about the over inflated cost issue buying used. There is only one person in the world that can fix it when it breaks. That is just my feeling. (-'

Both of my links I gave you point to purchasing a $250 or less used EtherWave Standard. You want to buy the later Moog and not the older that says Big Briar as several improvement were made. Thierry has an excellent bass mod for the low end for less than $100 add-on and I have an Angelic voice mod for the upper end once I find and train these new up coming young engineers. Add-on things you save for later.

The Theremini has "different" qualities & abilities, someone else would have to expand upon that who has compared it against other theremins and playing styles. I think one of the fears in theremin play is learning a bad habit or style. Look at Europe... to this day they still drive on the wrong side of the highway!

Christopher

A short video of of the Theremini being played by Dorit Chrysler at the 2015 NAMM Show held January 22-25 was posted by California Rocker here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie9zN_sQgn4

Gary Honis