The Theremin - an introduction to a unique instrument

In this video, I would like to give you an overview about the things you need to know when you are composing for the theremin!
WEBSITE: carolinaeyck.com
PATREON: / carolinaeyck
FACEBOOK: / carolinaeyck
TWITTER: / carolinaeyck
INSTAGRAM: / carolinaeyck
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1. Basics 0:51
2. Types of Instruments 1:37
3. Range 2:02
4. Tuning 3:31
5. Playing Technique: Right Hand 4:23
6. Playing Technique: Left Hand 6:41
7. Timbres 7:39
8. Notation 10:00
- graphical notation: Kalevi Aho "Theremin Concerto
• A Theremin for Every S...
- approximate pitches: Christopher Tarnow "Sonata for theremin and piano" no. 1
3rd movement
• Christopher Tarnow: So...
9. Special Effects 11:14
- touching the antenna
Christopher Tarnow "Sonata for theremin and piano" no. 1
2nd movement
• Christopher Tarnow: So...
10. Effect Pedals 12:58
- using a Delay and Harmonizer in 5th
Eyck & Tarnow "10.000 Bells"
• Eyck & Tarnow - "10,00...
- using a Loop Station
Carolina Eyck "Elephant in Green"
• Carolina Eyck - Elepha...
Fazil Say "Universe Symphony" at 15:00
• Say: Universe Symphony...

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Join my Patreon community for the latest updates on my solo show developments! :) www.patreon.com/carolinaeyck

[@handlemonium]

Nice! Maybe other electronic instruments or a DJ mixing board (with software) could emulate switching octaves and other sounds, but yes, the Theremin is the only instrument based on physical motions that can do that! :D

[@bilalahmed642]

do u do suggestion on music ?

[@Mitiya__ua]

u are cute )

[@Mitiya__ua]

tell me, have u try Theremini? just bought it as my first thereminvox. but it feels like it is very limted in what u can do. i cant do such vibration sounds with my right hand (i mean i can, but it doesnt sound same as urs) and with my right hand it doesnt really metter do i put down whole hand, or only couple of fingers.. i wonder is it only my problem of lacking skills, or theremini is just much worse?

[@MatthewHyatt]

You are so pretty!

[@CocoWantsACracker]

It is not every day that you watch one of the virtuosi of any musical instrument explain how their instrument works and how they use it and they end up blowing bubbles at it, filming their cat playing around their effect pedals and struggling with their hair. This was educating and entertaining, showing a great musician and an apparently very modest and nice person. I cannot express how much I enjoyed watching this video - on so many levels. Thanks for sharing your love for this unique instrument with the world!

[@robinburdette7201]

Co19801003 that wasn’t a cat! It was a rabbit!! Lop eared, looked like.

[@ejmtv3]

IKR!!! This is too perfect for us!!!

[@Chelsea123Chii]

Ditto

[@VRchitecture]

Actually it was a bunny (Momo The Cute🐰)

[@PokemonZeta6]

15:30 is absolutely gorgeous. I'd love a whole song in that setting

[@mateuszfelisiak480]

reminds me of XI-XII century medieval vocal music, espiecially from a composer Perotinus. You should check it out possibly!

[@moteldemoka]

Is this a specific song being played or just a small improvisation? It’s gorgeous

[@oliviageter5566]

If you watch Midsomer Murders, the theme song is played using this instrument.

[@drumsticknuggets5123]

Seems like a standard chord progression - the pedal effect basically adds the extra tones based off the root - to complete the chord. It was a pleasant sound.

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Thank you all for your lovely feedback! Got a lot of messages and comments regarding effect pedals. Looking forward to check out everything!

[@coupe-lee]

If you are still looking for effects, one in particular came to my mind that I think would really add an interesting texture to the theremin, and that would be a ring modulator. Electro-Harmonix makes one called the frequency analyzer. It has a frequency oscillator that interacts with the fundamental notes you play and will create beat frequencies based on their intervallic relationships. It would create a very interesting sound when using glissando.

[@houseofwine7704]

Great english for a German. Amazing how you can play!

[@tuxontour]

+houseofwine I wondered were I have heard that that dialect until " Oh delay ist schon an"

[@Darclipz]

This looks so confusing

[@francesdowney6804]

+Hafizur Rahman Mee too !

[@LaMisplacer]

I am watching this and the entire time cant believe that is an actual instrument. Am I in the future?

[@Professicchio]

Amazingly, this is part of the past now :)

[@majest33]

yes but unfortunately its a bit atompunk.

[@blackhawkX02]

I think someone traveled in time because i never heard of this extraodinary thing either.

[@BuyTheBookLotto]

And to know it was made in the 1920s is even more crazy

[@themaggattack]

Баба яга _ or so the time lords would have us believe. 😉

[@andrewleblanc1855]

I particularly enjoyed watching how much fun Carolina herself was having, laughing here and there and seeming to genuinely enjoy herself without taking herself too seriously -- and this is what makes her the best. My favorite bit has to be the effects , and how there was one that sounded like birds chirping. Thank you so much for sharing Carolina

[@ABFMick]

I am not a musician, but this video is a credit to you as a demonstration of the instrument as well as your own talent. You are gifted, hopefully will see you perform live sometime.

[@buddydew101]

Google doodle brought me here today and all I can say is amazed. Making music by moving your hands in the air? All this time I've been on this Earth and never seen such a beautiful unique instrument that was created almost 100 years ago!

[@JustNaomi215]

mind blown right now, thank you science and Thermin

[@morrismclean3584]

We will wait a long time for the album, The Theremin - Unplugged.

[@devilsforkdigital1490]

Excellent

[@tabletopwarrior]

Too funny

[@albertorivera7937]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video! I couldn't help but notice that your right hand figures look a little like sign language. Perhaps you could incorporate sign language and write a composition using these words or letters. Maybe translate a poem to theremine?

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Nice idea! Thank you!

[@GoatDust]

Alberto Rivera woah

[@nikithanayaer6302]

Alberto Rivera

[@Cillana]

+

[@blackstarr5]

Alberto Rivera brilliant!

[@Traiken]

This is the most delighted I've been by watching bubbles in the last twenty, twenty five years.

[@drugnome2657]

I didn't want to ruin your 69 likes, also, I feel the same

[@MetalSonicBricks]

I can't decide whether I like her accent or her playing the most :)

[@phantompower7872]

I love your approach and style of playing. I'm not great but I'm learning. Right now I just make noise... but I have a great time making noise.

[@terminalglimmer]

I love that little duck thing under the Etherwave.

[@fruiteusfly5307]

The dexterity and hand-eye coordination required for this instrument must be insane. Props to you!

[@xDaveN]

how the fuck does this work im baked af is this magic

[@blackhawkX02]

I think it uses electromagnetic fields

[@haziqkhairudin5455]

ReflexEdits THIS IS SORCERY! LOL

[@alfonshomac]

Capacitance! Google away!

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

Don't listen to them. It IS magic.

[@Otm_Shank]

There actually is more evidence to support the literal paranormal magic involved in a theremin. This video shows it up close: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oni3p4KOq9h4hK8

[@vik24oct1991]

This seems like a instrument which orchestra conductor can carry as a backup just in case the orchestra doesn't show up. Jokes apart it is a very interesting instrument and seems like very difficult to master.

[@sebastianzaczek]

conductor… haha... unintentional pun :D

[@Dildo_Baggins.]

@@sebastianzaczek horrible! Watt were you thinking? 🤓

[@FlockOfHawks]

Ohm i god

[@newtwiggles5912]

Your commentary and examples made me realize that some of my favorite scores had Theremins in them. I had never considered what really made that 'eerie' sound, but given the invention on the instrument and the talented musicians like yourself, I can see why it became so popular and yet remained so niche!

[@crogerday]

Thank you. I am in the process of writing a quartet for theremin, flute, clarinet and cello! This is very useful.

[@katiekilgore6918]

This made me incredibly happy! I’m an aspiring composer, and this video made me want to write for this amazing instrument. I had no idea that it was as cool as it is.

[@dreamtripper2]

Großartig, vielen Dank für das tolle Video!

[@sisyr5615]

The high pitch on preset #4 (about 9 minutes in) is eerily similar to a voice.

[@thatgirlwhodidthething5836]

Michael Cider (about 9:08-ish or 9:11) IT IS! AND IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!! She plays with so much emotion 😍

[@jaredhoeft2832]

It really is! Sounds like a soprano singer

[@alricthered226]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Beautiful stuff, especially with the effects petals. Thank you so much for posting this. I have been a fan of electronic music for years, in a casual way, and it will always catch my attention.

[@alangordon2831]

The tulips, the performer, and the music--all beautiful.

[@TheVerenaAnna]

Sehr beeindruckend! Toll erklärt! Vielen Dank!

[@Lewizll]

Great, thorough introduction to this instrument I only JUST found out about. What a beautiful sound this produces!

[@dannydoodle91]

Fantastic explanatory video, I got onto this because Clara Rockmore was on the Google bar!! I like how you used pedal delay to create nice choral structures.

[@jimatyeo]

Carolina that was wonderful. Thank you for your time and artistry. It was delightful watching you demonstrate the complexity of the Theremin.

[@jacobhann792]

This was incredibly informative! You have an incredible talent and I have greatly enjoyed your covers and compositions for the theremin. I had no idea how versatile an instrument it could be!

[@quietmind7476]

Can Carolina convince the Moog company to resume production of the pro,

[@gormauslander]

That would be greatly appreciated. The wood makes it look way more classy

[@23hughmann]

Moog will Be releasing (limited run) a classy Theremin called The Claravox Centennial! ($1,500.00)

[@petedako]

What a beautiful tone ~ Carolina Eyck has taken the theremin leaps and bounds since the days of Clara Rockmore. It was fantastic to hear the orchestral work with FAZIL SAY but this solo clip really gives you the full sound of her marvelous unaccompanied playing

[@martinharris5017]

Invaluable knowledge. Thanks for sharing Carolina.

[@AlpineKitty]

My ADD means I struggle to listen to people explaining things, so I usually watch KZbin videos on 1.5 speed. Not this one, it's fascinating and so beautifully explained. I love the cello and trained to be a classical singer, so the theremin is the best of both worlds ❤️

[@lordturet5696]

the beginning is so awesome

[@OrianaDiazL]

Oh my God, what an amazing video. Thank you so much for the Recommendation :)

Congratulations for sharing your experience with us. I had never heard about Theremin. Thanks so much.

[@delcameron]

Carolina, your videos are always so great, they manage to have a lot of content while remaining light and fun to watch. A theremin is on my to-be-purchased-as-soon-as-I-have-the-money list; I piano, I guitar, I sing, I compose, and now I want to theremin! Thanks for your contribution to my endeavour!

[@farrlinn]

You make it look so easy! :)

[@DouglasHPlumb]

I've been on the internet since 1996. I thought I had seen everything.

[@majcrash]

So has everyone else, and you'll never see everything. It's fun trying, though.

[@KGBookkeeping]

Absolutely my favourite instrument! Thank you for this video. Very entertaining, informative, and encouraging!

[@mattsynth]

Amazing, I have always been intrigued with Theremin's but never really had a chance to play one. Thanks for the post I enjoyed it very much.

[@nachtsmeer]

,,, it's really good to see that your bunnii rabbit also gets a small hop on part :) - it made me smile -

[@Morgan-zs1oj]

Moments like 13:34 и 15:02 are so, so beautiful!

[@briantyson6138]

Totally joyous! Thank you so much.

[@saskiatomkinspersonal6940]

Thankyou for this video! I just got one for Christmas and as I violinist, I'm really excited to learn and see where it takes me.

[@kekipark77]

Found your channel through your video with Rob Scallon, youre so AWESOME!

[@zoso73]

Carolina, how about a "duet" on the Theremin with Jimmy Page? I'm sure he wouldn't turn the opportunity down.

[@ricardoaguirre8611]

absolutely beautiful

[@jaredhoeft2832]

Fantastic and extremely helpful video!

[@GrantGryczan]

15:31 That is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. If it's from something, tell me now. If not, someone get on that. (Carolina?)

[@hoodyhoo1004]

Anyone ever find out? How can there be so much emotion in such a short snippet

[@Dude-sr4ji]

It almost sounds like it's from Holst's The Planets, but it might be from something else. I think I may have heard it before...

[@abdelrahmanamin2279]

Sounds familiar to a soundtrack in The Titanic movie to me

[@helena_4]

In the description she linked a piece called Universe Symphony around that time but i havent been able to find those exact chords, ill have to listen to the entire piece to find them

[@swrdghcnqstdr]

found a grant in the wild

[@abelincoln95]

Tube pre-amp!! That would rock the theremin!!!

[@superipermagererata5084]

You really have done a genius work, you created a whole method all by yourself and studied the instrument yourself. All the work effort you put to that instrument it’s completely incredible, you deserve to be remembered for centuries

[@zitavanoosten8008]

So wonderful! Thank you!!

[@mecabrico]

Bonjour Carolina, Comme vous semblez polyglotte, je vous adresse mes félicitations en français. :-) Très jolie vidéo permettant de découvrir cet étrange instrument. Vous en jouez avec grâce et c'est très plaisant à observer. En plus, la vidéo est réalisée de façon sympathique tout en étant bien structurée. Bonne continuation !

[@Unibabble]

Wow, this was amazing. Your technique is so expressive, and the instrument itself is capable of incredible dynamic range and pitch variation. Have you thought of using the theremin as a controller for a larger modular, or even a software synth? You could do a lot more with external modulations and different sounds or samples. The combination of so much expressive control with the power of synthesis makes me a little dizzy! :D

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Thank you for the suggestion! :)

[@PedroAlmeidaOMestre]

This is quite amazing. Great video!

[@masonblank97]

Very educational. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the theremin.

[@j.jasonwentworth723]

I wish my late friend Gary Moore, who had built and played his own theremin (a tube model, electronically more like the 1929 RCA Theremin that they licensed from Leon Theremin), could have seen and heard this! The modern ones are definitely more versatile.

[@snoski]

I rewatched from 16:24 to 16:28 like 20 times in a row. LOL!

[@no_handle_required]

Mesmerizing and quite amazing. I like the theremin too.

[@hjbortol]

Excellent overview! Thanks!

[@eddiegomez4134]

She's gorgeous! I want a theremin now!

[@slp0001]

Wow! What a great video! I knew very little about theremins (did I spell that right?) before this, but this taught me a lot! I especially loved the harmony effect with the 'certain cords' you set. That... was beyond beautiful. It sounded rather strange at times but probably because it's so different from normal instruments and such a precise instrument. Thanks for posting this! P.S.- I love your accent! :)

[@TobyPratt]

I've never heard of this instrument before. Very interesting!

[@slp0001]

Wow, I didn't mean to post this on Google+... how'd I do that??

[@TobyPratt]

Maybe you liked it and commented on it on youtube? You can remove the post from G+ if you prefer.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Very well done video. Thanks for sharing.

[@deanobro69]

Beautiful! I have always loved the Theremin but you Carolina are the reason I subscribed.

[@marioa.morales4461]

She is so beutiful!

[@oliverslicey]

She was

[@Daniel_Boni]

@@oliverslicey She is definitely still alive dude

[@donzpicazo2934]

i found out about this cause of google ...what an awesome instrument!

[@donzpicazo2934]

Clara Rockmore 105th Bday...

[@bananachild4536]

Donz Picazo It’s not 2025 yet....

[@marcosjpf88]

Very interesting! Liked it so much!

[@PaulSmith-qs1es]

Thank you for this. It really helps me to understand the instrument in a way I couldn't just by reading about it.

[@mikek660]

What an amazing introduction to the instrument. Thank you! I hope you're still answering questions and taking suggestions? I wonder how the theremin would sound like with a talk box. Should be interesting. Also could you play staccato notes by placing the screwdriver looking thing (maybe it is a screwdriver?) inside the left antenna and touching/tapping the metal part with your fingers?

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Thank you for your suggestions! I actually tried the staccato, it didn't work really well, but it sounded funny! :)

[@cottonheadandtheninnymuggi3698]

I sincerely suggest using a wah pedal. Adding a depth sweep would bring the fluidity of foot control in addition to the summation of the fluidity of both hands. It does amazing things for a basic keyboard... (tonal resonance depth shifting, as well as High Gain frequency pitch manipulation.) I can only imagine what I can do for a theremin.

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Thank you :)

[@Tmanaz480]

The beauty of the theremin is its limitations, though. Mess with it too much and it becomes something else.

[@fraerithlelfe6027]

Incroyable ! Je ne connaissais absolument pas cet instrument ! Merci pour la présentation !

[@MissSorceress]

What a fantastic introduction, I didn't intend to watch the whole thing but I was just so intrigued! You are very talented! Great video!

[@Wochensau]

The best electronic instruments - the theremin, the Ondes Martenot, and the electronic organ - were all invented long before WW2. In 2 years, the theremin will be 100 years old. A reason to celebrate bigly.

[@fluffy2dimaxx836]

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZINNNG CAN'T BELIEVE GOOGLE BROUGHT ME HERE LOLZ.

[@viviliu3928]

+k beckford (Fluffy2Di Maxx) i know right! thx to google doodle!

[@fluffy2dimaxx836]

+Vivi Liu Righttt lolzzzzzz

[@ashleyb6849]

SAME

[@fluffy2dimaxx836]

I'm so serious lol

[@JustNaomi215]

oh my god yes! yes yes! it sounds so whimsical

[@mandylester9360]

I must learn this! I grew up around music and am just now learning about this at 28!

[@chanpatton8450]

Learned something new today. thank you carolina

[@rekokovero9155]

Anyone wanna buy my theremin? Haven't touched it in years.

[@sibsibs83]

sure

[@chloef6823]

Yes yes

[@georgealexander8661]

Reko Kovero..You say you haven't touched your Theremin in years? Oh boy...That's a good one! 🤩😃😀🎵🎶💢💯🤪🤪👌👌🖕👏👏👏😁😁😄

[@KVLT_VVITCH]

Honestly the only reason I know what a theremin is, is because I love old sci-fi films.

[@sophiajune546]

Never knew about this instrument until I found your channel. One of the coolest things I have ever discovered on a rainy day.

[@pigcrackrecords1694]

It's kind of crazy how good this video is. Big thanks.

[@nik62es]

..I hope you're still answering questions :-) I am getting my first theremin, second hand..it is a simple model, volume control is by a knob. Should I still try to play it with both hands, i.e.: do I leave one hand close to the volume know ? Now for a purely academical question - can you set various theremin around you and do a "performance" or even dance, getting closer to each theremin as you move and therefore create..well a song.. ? Am I re-inventing the wheel ? Thanks...and from a beginners/outsiders point of view - this is probably still so much avant garde as it was almost 100 years ago.

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

+nik62es 1. I would probably have my hand at the volume knob, if I had to play a "pitch only" theremin. 2. Just try it out ;) Several theremins might interfere with each other, so I'm not sure, if you would get a nice sound out of it.

[@georglawall6022]

Very good introduction! Since I compose a lot of very soft music for acoustic instruments, the mechanic clicks (if you change a register) are disturbing. Can they be avoided, or is this a future development of the instrument? But generally it wood be interesting to compose for it in combination with classical guitar and violin, to name just a few. Thanks again! I will 'have an ear' on your chanal!

[@dogdaymusicandphoto]

If you were recording the theremin with a d.i. then I don't think the clicks would come through as it's the noise of the physical switch being picked up by the camera.

[@call_me_stan5887]

Excellent video! Thank you! Now I know more about this fantastic instrument!

[@user-dw9gi9mf8m]

This is so detailed to learn how the theremin works!!!So Helpful!!!Thank you very much!!!

[@Maquox]

This is so amazing! I've listened to Clara Rockmore for some time now, and I love the instrument. Do you have any recommendation on a relatively cheap theremin that's good enough to start learning in? Is it possible to build one? Thank you so much, this video was very interesting and educating! :) (I didn't get the clapping, but laughed heartily, haha) PS: BUBBLEEEES!!

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

+Maquox Have a look here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boWun4islpqtosk This would be a good instrument to start with.

[@Maquox]

Thank you! :)

[@jaro6004]

I'm not totally sure how to word this, but how fast can you comfortably play?

[@roninmbattousai]

This is becoming a part of my music technology curriculum for teaching. Thanks very much this is helpful for composers and pedagogy.

[@iliekmegapie]

Thank you for this video!! I'm a composition student in college right now, and I'm always prowling for innovative things to do with my music. I wouldn't even know where to start with a theremin before watching this video.

[@hannahsenior3402]

Did anyone see a rabbit on the effect pedal????

[@lorenczaplicki1398]

bun!

[@ishadawaher-bakhos1048]

it's just you. Stop the mushrooms.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

I was going to ask if she has a yeti for an assistant.

[@buwumet]

wasn't that a cat?

[@fvcktv2933]

def a cat

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

New album "Waves" out now! :) www.carolinaeyck.com/waveslp

[@shable1436]

I have a suggestion of sorts, or at least ask you to look into this, i think you will absolutely love the creativeness of it. You may have to travel to though, or could do it via internet. Have you heard of Daniel Lenois? He is a producer and made a few albums you may have heard, U2, Bob Dylan, Neil young among others. He played with Trixie Whitley in a band called black dub, she lives in Brussels now and is famous also, i played with her father Chris in the 90s. Dan plays anything and is a musical genius, he layers music like yourself using moogs now, he played at moogfest for years, he been famous forever in serious music circles, and loves collaborating with others that are like minded. I suggest you give him a listen and shoot him an email and make some arrangements together, it will be like your Vai vid, a true genius collaboration. I think if two ppl can make moogs sound the best together it could be you two together. You seem like a cool ass chick!! Love from VA! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r52XZq2Ij8t4ms0 Npr tiny desk kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYbRhqmVaJ5orLs

[@burak_g9975]

Sowas brauche ich auch, dann kann ich denn ganzen Tag damit "spielen" wie ein kleines Kind das ein neues Spielzeug bekommen hat 😅😅😅

[@tutnallman]

Splendid!

[@nightnol]

So beautiful! Thanks for the information. This is my next instrument, for sure. I love that it uses invisible fields of energy and allows for such a range of expression.

[@AugustHawk]

Wow! Can you play Star Wars on the Theremin? How about Close Encounters of the Third Kind? Theme to Jaws? *sorry* I'm so mesmerized by the sound of this instrument, soooooooooo many classical themes instantly come to mind! lol ;)

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Hey! Follow me on Facebook /carolinaeyck. Once in a while we have live streammings and you can ask for a song :)

[@jaredt5127]

Variations on the Force theme would be fantastic. 👍

[@snoski]

How long have you been playing? You're absolutely amazing.

[@carolinaeyckvideos]

Since I was 8 :)

[@musician4776]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@dashapeipon]

This is incredible. How did I not know the theremin existed? Carolina, you make it look like magic being born from thin air. Your hands look like dancing butterflies. The theremin is phenomenal, but your ability to play it so artistically and beautifully really makes it into a new kind of art. Thank you for sharing your incredible gift, and explaining it so well to the rest of us

[@derdingobaron]

"Oh...Delay ist schon an!"

[@vinskeeter]

Is this what was used in sci-fi "B" movies of the 50's when the monster was creeping up on the defenseless woman?

[@tabletopwarrior]

Actually Forbidden Planet.

[@ginafarrugia7053]

Thank you so much for this video. What a way to get a beginner started! I'm getting a lender this week and can't wait to start.