How to Play Theremin in 6 Minutes!

Have you ever wanted to take a theremin lesson, or even just to know how the heck it works?
The theremin is one of the only instruments played without physical touch. Learn how to play it in this 6 minute video!
I highly recommend the Moog Theremini: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gDAnN
Ready to take your theremin playing to the next level? To take a virtual lesson with Caroline, email her at [e-mail]
Instagram: Caroline_scruggs_

[@void_presence]

I've been wanting to get a Theremin for decades (mainly thanks to Doctor Who), finally bought one this morning, a Moog Theremini.

[@BanthaTube]

I have a Theremini. I love it!

[@theghost6412]

remember doctor who was actually on synth keyboards and quite an elaborate system of various machines. The making of the song was brilliant to watch as the same man attempted to remake the song from scratch with his own system. Watching him key everything in was astounding. So much work went into that song.

[@ErikJensenDetroit]

My Theremini is arriving tomorrow!

[@chrisburke5937]

@@theghost6412 But the Dr. Who theme wasn't written by a man, it was written by Delia Derbyshire. Everyone keeps saying Ron Grainer wrote it - it even says that in the Dr. Who credits - but that's SO sexist. He had the idea. Delia made it into a reality. It wouldn't have existed without her. She was one of the first synth. pioneers and nobody even remembers her now! So sad. Chris.

[@theghost6412]

@@chrisburke5937 incorrect, he wrote it but she finished it. She is not well known outside of Britain unless people are into that sort of thing.

[@megodzillaudeadable]

This is easily the best first theremin lesson I have ever seen, thanks!

[@jamestierney2531]

Yes, Jonathan. And we all know that there is a wealth of theremin lesson materials out there. Music stores can’t keep them in stock. They go flying off the shelves.

[@eswarjuri]

@@jamestierney2531 Is that supposed to be funny?

[@michaelgraham9774]

​@@jamestierney2531Kind of an unnecessary moment to be a dick

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Uh, oh. That looked way more fun than I was expecting. Now, I need a theremin. 😱

[@user-yc9wk3om1e]

Go to the opera and step a cantatrice on the foot... you have the same result.😊

[@dread_rat]

Pretty well done, though perhaps a suggestion, an absolute beginner on the theremin might first want to know how to set their zero beat point with the pitch dial and learn how the 'volume' dial is not a conventional setting for the volume output of the instrument, but adjusts the sensitivity and 'snappines' for the volume loop. About 1 year ago I got myself an Etherwave Plus, after first getting my feet wet with a Theremini. And soon after I also got a Loop Station (RC-202) as improvising/composing tool. I recently started my YT channel and uploaded some of my recent tracks there, most also have theremin in them. Happy celebrating 100 years of Theremin :)

[@makipri]

I guess I should make a video for that. Just calibrated my client’s Etherwave today. She had bought it brand new and the tuning was way off. Took half an hour to find the proper scale since the instructions from the 1990s Big Briar Etherwave didn’t work exactly the same way. Especially people who are new to theremins in general would benefit of a video on how to set up an Etherwave and fine tune the pitch knob according to their setup and body proportions.

[@richardjones7984]

Nice clear lesson. I can't wait until my Theremin arrives to try this out. Thanks.

[@squatchykrislapuma4611]

Beautifuly Done, the hand gestures part helped a lot. I have a Theremini and am finally getting " Music" out of it.

[@Robert-ck7nm]

LOVED IT!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@evelynmontez3565]

Fascinating!!

[@Pleasantries]

thanks so much!!

[@Sparrao34]

Amazing!!

[@cnccontroller]

What a lovely blue little piano!😊

[@gamedevbeauty2410]

Love this!!!!

[@nieceyperry5029]

OMG! IM SO EXCITED TO GET ONE. YOU MADE SCHOOL FUN!!! THANKS!!

[@TheAllang123]

Well done. Encouraging.

[@dogh2o921]

I'm a Jimmy Page fan and vintage scifi enthusiast. Then I found out about Clara Rockmore and was aghast! I'm now setting up a recording studio and this video hit the spot. Tks. You are a wonderful teacher. :)

[@joysanders59]

Thank you. I saw this used and asked a musician what it was . I had no idea! This is so cool. I would have gotten one of these a s a kid had I known! How interesting!! Easy to understand vid. You do learn something new every day!!

[@dr123hall]

Best of any beyond shadow doubt

[@danaposton3649]

This is on my instrument list next, i just purchased a Ocarina, and i have a few other instruments that i play, as i am a music lover of many different instruments and sounds and i love many genres of music as well. Blessings all.❤

[@user-pv9mk4dz8l]

Great thank you, your tutorial helped alot 😊

[@AlloyedFrequencies]

Beautiful thank you

[@robinhansen3417]

Great. Thanks

[@diandoxlee7346]

Dang! I can't imagine how the theremin would sound like when my nephew and I start playing it. Both of us can't sit still, can't standstill. Once we hear music, any music, our head would start bobbing then arms, shoulders, hands then hips then the feet!

[@sonyasandoval1477]

I want one! I got a chance to play one at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix in 2017. Way cool.

[@darkness2286]

Me encanta ese instrumento.👍💯te conecta con otra forma de musica.

[@diemuenchnerin]

Thank you.

[@alejandroterzado2068]

This instrument is so interesting

[@arieswaters]

Good job girl

[@ozenonneonade1733]

fast and clear

[@bunnidotcom]

I have wanted one of these for about 40 years since I first saw one. This video is making me reconsider getting one. After all, who wants to die with a zero balance on their credit cards?! Just your simple beginner tutorial was so clear that it made me sure I could learn it... and even if I don't master it, there are days that are easily healed just by some weird new practice. I've been attempting to learn the harmonium. Perhaps I will set my self a goal of reaching a certain point on the harmonium and then as a gift of achievement, buying the Theremin. The only problem with that is that I cheat when I get impulsive. At any rate, thanks for this great video. It made my night and reminded me of huge number of possibilities that are open to me. Please keep doing tutorials. I'm gong to need you! (Jimmy Page, eat your heart out. ;)

[@SomeInterestingName]

Did you get one?

[@idaslapter5987]

very nice

[@smooth111012]

Wow seems an amazing musical tool, makes sounds similar to Jarre in Oxygen

[@MikeScottAnimation]

This looks fun yo

[@antimonycup7066]

I recently got the Valve Index headset and bought the VR Theremin program VRemin yesterday. Your video was very helpful and will get me on my way, thank you :D

[@alexpeak1008]

Bro what, I’ve been looking for a theremin for FOREVER, Didn’t know the index had this app

[@antimonycup7066]

@@alexpeak1008 And it's dirt cheap too. Don't know how it compares to an original of course, but when not on sale it's 2 EURO's.

[@colletterussell6910]

Great video!!!!! What is this Theremin? Keep the lessons coming!!

[@makipri]

Antennae refers to the things found in insects and antennas to the things found in radios and theremins unless you're British and use antennae for both. A good lesson btw!

[@tonitipton5441]

Thanks for the intro, will you make more video lessons?

[@bubcentral23]

The big mistake most users make is waving hands frantically around it, in fact a fist with tiny extensions of fingers works as well. All a Theremin is doing is reacting to how close you are to it.

[@micheleancora8922]

Amazing video! How effects do you use to produce this sound?

[@ild4099]

5:00 sounded like a violin

[@nigelhutt9921]

Brilliant, can this be played with the lest hand controlling pitch?

[@nilsoncoelho5905]

Hi Caroline, I first saw this wonderful instrument more than 2 years ago, I am trying to learn how to play it, please help me lol. i have one, its beautiful piece of art.

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

I wonder if it's possible to translate the device's outputs into a control scheme for a vehicle. With some kind of simple "deadman's switch" failsafe to disengage the system when you're doing something else and don't want to accidentally move your hand the wrong way and crash. It would take a crazy amount of programming, but it could produce about the most responsive and smooth control system ever. A bit like those weird color-balls on Goa'uld ships in the Stargate shows.

[@seagallo64]

I Just bought a Theremin plus I'm trying to play it for two days, I like very much it but Im thinking about to send it back because it's very hard to learn. Some people say it's about 11 years to learn it well. I hope to learn a scale and some easy melody in one week. I study for 2 or 3 hour for days. I use an App for tuning. Anyway your lesson is good. Thanks

[@makipri]

You don’t need a decade for that if you are determined. Hyrtis Gladys Hulot had played for three years before winning the Theremin 100 performance contest but she trained for three hours every day. I’ve seen pretty good advancement from several of my clients in just weeks.

[@gastonblue4659]

I dont know even one music instrument easy to play, all serious instruments are really complex to play.

[@jozelito6545]

Formidável voce fazer a escala, demonstra pleno controle. Ual...

[@joniclermaestro]

BABY U'RE GREAT!!!!!! 👏👏👏🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@nimeshrandeniya436]

Subbed 😍

[@vguido0757]

How do I choose a theremin to buy?

[@j.lietka9406]

Can one be built from scratch? Thank you 🌹❤️ also, can it be made a little longer?

[@trishalivingston1051]

Love that beautiful almost vocal tone. I'm guessing with arthritic hands... and limited digit flexibility, this probably isn't the right time to learn! lol

[@seagallo64]

Only for European peaple: the power supplay (alimentatore) cames without the ground central pole, It need to wire the amplifier to the graund to stabilaze the electric field, you cannot play it

[@pvlcz4360]

You can connect it with a wire to the bare part of a radiator, then it should work.

[@makipri]

They used to have a grounded power supply until around 2005. After that they were supposed to be played with a grounded amplifier. But if you have an ungrounded amplifier or record straight to a computer you’d better have a grounded power supply. I still have my original 2002 Big Briar PSU but had to manufacture a grounded one for my client and today got another client who needs one. Basically you need to find any PSU that outputs around 14 volts, remove the rectifier/diode bridge and add a grounded cord, connecting the ground wire to the centre pin. Alternatively you can just attach a wire to a radiator but unless the venue you’re playing at doesn’t have any you might get into trouble.

[@christopherpetrov2355]

💗

[@jamestierney2531]

OK, OK, I’ll bite. “What’s a nice, beautiful, bright gal like you doing hanging out with a weird instrument like THAT??? 🤓. I kid, I kid, of course. That’s just a play on the old line about a nice gal who’s got a creep for a boyfriend..or as expressed in a Joe Jackson song, “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” ). I thought your video was terrific. I am an amateur musician (pianist) and had known of the theremin and it’s distinctive sound for years.. But I never gave it much thought. Your video was a terrific explanation of and demonstration on the instrument. Really fascinating. Congrats to you and thanks for shining some light on this unique instrument. Best wishes to you…JT

[@Micotech1]

Ive got a question, i have a Theramini i am wondering if this instrument is harder to play than the original one by MOOG.

[@misterstratocaster]

I've had one of Bob Moog's Etherwave units like this one since 1997 and have yet to be able to play a song on it. It's just so frustrating.

[@insideno999]

I have just bought a tiny theremin with LED display

[@josephmaio9430]

Where can you buy one

[@axlFoleyBeverlyHillsPo]

You keep your left hand more strait in relation. Flip the box around

[@matthewvaughan3245]

Can you switch anntana locations so I can play it left handed

[@anosvoldigoad816]

im gonna create more accounts and subscribe from there thank u for the lesson

[@adriaanlaurijsen4463]

amazing instrument but really hard to actually play notes without changing the pitch. Well done Caroline...

[@theghost6412]

Carolina Eyck changed that for everyone.

[@slimturnpike]

Includes preset scales and pitch correction, for those naive enough to think she's playing those scales in the beginning without help from the programming.

[@Swimmmy_21]

I need to get a theremin! It’s my all time favourite instrument and it makes me so upset to see that it’s one of the more obscure instruments.

[@danielbryce4502]

Hello Caroline where could I purchase this there in?

[@georgewilliamkaqyinga4115]

Hello... Thanks for opening my understanding on this unique instrument...Where can I buy one?

[@CarolineScruggs]

I highly recommend the Moog Theremini: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gDAnN

[@tanewhite7328]

(Me doesn't have theremin but will still learn it.)

[@Lexmanity]

A question please , are there any theramin models for "left handed" people out there ?

[@IncomeBeast]

Wow. How did I not know about this bizarre instrument until today.😲

[@godiva4258]

Wow you rock! Just a small question - Is it possible to play it the other way around? Like pitch would be left hand and volume with the right? (Violinist here asking)

[@argcargv]

The easiest way to play left handed is to play the instrument from the back. Or you could flip the instrument upside down. Otherwise you would need to get a custom theremin.

[@godiva4258]

@@argcargv cool tnx I'll try 🙏✨

[@jamesbuchanan9517]

I received this as a gift. I have no idea what you are doing.

[@cenobyt3z766]

I’m trying so har not to get one. I’ve wanted one since I was a child 😭

[@kayandaeddings4803]

Can you find those anywhere? I feel like calling up my sales engineer at the music instrument store where I bought my keyboard in Fort Wayne Indiana and ask him if they sell it.

[@kayandaeddings4803]

@Imagineth Thanks.

[@crasanelgin4560]

I have a theremin that my husband bought me years ago I've lost the electrical connection how much voltage does it take to plug in it's a little hole in the back with a little piece of metal in the center

[@crasanelgin4560]

I would love to be able to play my Thurman can someone please help me

[@mrratskins]

You should look up the owner's manual online and check the specs. Or call the company. I have a Moog etherwave and the power supply is 14 volts AC with 200 milliamps output. It would not surprise me to find that all different types of power supplies are used and damage could occur if you use the wrong one.

[@guloguloguy]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ....WOULD A METAL OBJECT, COMING NEAR THE THERAMIN, CAUSE IT TO REACT?!...

[@spacewolf363]

Now I need to learn how the hell does this work.

[@debcat539]

Where do you buy a Theremin?

[@KCsBabies]

MOOG website or Amazon

[@makipri]

Theremin also sells Etherwaves and Thereminis.

[@ChuckW]

Awesome. I was clueless. Now I can make my amp explode! But great tutorial. Onto chops!

[@amateurgardener9300]

Best video about theremin I’ve seen. Which theremin should I buy to learn this? Can you recommend? Thank you

[@CarolineScruggs]

Hi there! I always recommend the Etherwave to folks who ask... it's SUCH a great quality theremin, and my personal go-to. Here's the link to check it out! Good luck. sweetwater.sjv.io/g1Ga09

[@IvanusPrime]

There's no way to buy this instrument in my country, shame because it's very interesting

[@ObedGuedezComunidadLlanera]

Alguien sabe quién me puede vender un theremin ❤️

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

The Beach Boys wanted this for their "Good Vibrations" recording! But I think they couldn't find someone able to actually play the instrument.

[@jasonpp1973]

Beach Boys used one on Good Vibrations.

[@GordonHaff]

They actually used something similar, an Electro-Theremin developed by trombonist Paul Tanner and amateur inventor Bob Whitsell. It makes similar sounds but using a pitch slide and volume knobs rather than hand control.

[@makipri]

People mistake Good Vibrations, Star Trek theme and some other popular songs to be performed on a theremin. Instead, the Midsomer murders theme was really performed on a theremin by the late Celia Sheen.

[@bringyourownsnake980]

I've had mine for a week. I'm beginning to understand that it is not a kazoo.

[@knapestaart]

Nice! But ... "one of the only"? And "played without sound"?

[@skitoseawealth]

I just discovered the Theramin. What is the best starting Theramin without breaking the bank?

[@CarolineScruggs]

I'm so glad you asked! The theremini is hands down the best starter theremin for the price, and you can also do zero interest payment plans with Sweetwater here: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gDAnN Here's one of my videos on the Theremini: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmTMd4R4m7SrY5Y

[@takoau]

Good tutorial but the hardest thing being where to buy it :P

[@CarolineScruggs]

sweetwater.sjv.io/k0JPv3

[@marinasterling9549]

Antennae are only on insects while antennas are on theremins.

[@joemug4079]

It sounds like playing a….saw! You’ve heard someone play a saw?! I think Groucho Marx played a ….. saw. You’ve heard a saw played? It sounds… like a saw.

[@nickcalingo3309]

I don't have a theramin.

[@thezheani1434]

I refuse to believe this isn't magic

[@FreeSpirit47]

The sound on this video is so low, I can't hear what the person is saying.

[@majora_03]

then turn ur volume up 🔥🔥🔥

[@FreeSpirit47]

@@majora_03 Volume is up as high as it can be.

[@majora_03]

@@FreeSpirit47 well the video is loud for me, so its probs an issue on ur end

[@PeaceCultureMusic]

first comment !!!!!! theremin win !!

[@GlennFordism]

John Otways fans bought him a theremin for his birthday. Bad mistake

[@rattyratstuff7125]

why does she want to shoot my dog and light my arms on fire? im so confused at her signing.

[@avrgeguy]

too bad a good one is 800 dollars

[@Rascalndear1]

Kind of pointless to have something playing in the background when you're teaching a different instrtument?

[@themar.i.per3374]

this is not a real instrument

[@willgallagher3991]

Why ?

[@klaustoss4208]

Nice t!ts.

[@ogropor]

Sounds like opera 😮

[@hello_people312]

Where can I buy one, I can't find it on takealot🥲