Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Music Lounge
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Theremin and Prog
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedTheremin and Prog
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Calculate900 View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: June 04 2009
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Points: 87 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Theremin and Prog
    Posted: June 07 2009 at 22:43


The theremin is an electronic instrument that uses two oscillators that emit radio waves.  Depending on the player's position of his/her hands, the instrument will produce a noise that changes volume (when a hand is moved in relation to the coil on the left) and/or pitch (when a hand is moved in relation to the pole on the right).  It's one of the only instruments playable without physical contact.

I have seen this instrument used in music before, especially in Led Zeppelin's live performance of "Whole Lotta Love," but I was wondering if there were other songs that use the theremin.
Back to Top
Mellotron Storm View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: August 27 2006
Location: The Beach
Status: Online
Points: 13416 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 07 2009 at 22:51
THE GATHERING have used it and SPOCK'S BEARD.I know there's many more artists i've reviewed that have used it.GREEN CARNATION comes to mind just now.
"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN
Back to Top
Mellotron Storm View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: August 27 2006
Location: The Beach
Status: Online
Points: 13416 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 07 2009 at 22:58
Scandanavian bands seem to use it more than anyone else although PHIDEAUX,DJAM KARET and DEADWOOD FOREST all used it. Add ULVER,GARGAMEL and MORTE MACABRE to the list as well.
The first time i read about it was when i heard THE GATHERING use it on "How To Measure A Planet".
"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN
Back to Top
DamoXt7942 View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar

Joined: October 15 2008
Location: Okayama, Japan
Status: Offline
Points: 17493 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 01:58
I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES and GOOD VIBRATIONS by The Beach Boys!
Back to Top
Jorvik View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: December 21 2007
Location: The Danelaw
Status: Offline
Points: 81 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 07:59
Originally posted by DamoXt7942 DamoXt7942 wrote:

I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES and GOOD VIBRATIONS by The Beach Boys!


I believe these two tracks weren't Theremin, they were using a similar instrument called an Electro-theremin or Tannerin.
I ljuset från min lykta
ser jag skuggan utav sorg
drömmar som har slocknat
ifrån ett liv som haft sin tid          
Back to Top
Einsetumadur View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: September 24 2008
Location: Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 265 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 09:52
Focus - Love Remembered



The electro-theremin that the Beach Boys used  is more a Trautonium than a Theremin as it works with a resistant and a metal brad.


Edited by Einsetumadur - June 08 2009 at 09:55
All in all each man in all men
Back to Top
Roland113 View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: March 30 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: Offline
Points: 3843 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 11:07
I love it, you can never have enough Theremin threads if you ask me.  Calculate, if you're interested in the Theremin, there is a documentary titled "Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey" with a lot of interesting content in it.  In addition, check out the wiki article on Leo Theremin, he lead a very full life.

Enjoy,
-------someone please tell him to delete this line, he looks like a noob-------

I don't have an unnatural obsession with Disney Princesses, I have a fourteen year old daughter and coping mechanisms.
Back to Top
BaldFriede View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: June 02 2005
Location: Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 10261 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 12:36
Tim Blake used a Theremin while playing with Hawkwind; here a photo:


The Red Masque use a Theremin too; here a video of them in which they use it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr9Ne6OyKo0&feature=related

You get a good view of how it is used around 3:00 and between 7:05 and 7:11 in the video.




Edited by BaldFriede - June 08 2009 at 12:49


BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue.
Back to Top
Calculate900 View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: June 04 2009
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Points: 87 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 15:03
Originally posted by Roland113 Roland113 wrote:

Calculate, if you're interested in the Theremin, there is a documentary titled "Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey" with a lot of interesting content in it.  In addition, check out the wiki article on Leo Theremin, he lead a very full life.

Enjoy,

Sounds interesting.  I'll look into it.


Edited by Calculate900 - June 08 2009 at 15:05
Back to Top
listen View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 05 2007
Location: Portland OR
Status: Offline
Points: 352 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 21:07
these are the onesI can remember right now:

Brave New World: Soma
Brainticket: Rainbow (Celestial Ocean)
Now is all there is. Be before you think!
Back to Top
Progosopher View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 12 2009
Location: Coolwood
Status: Offline
Points: 6467 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 08 2009 at 22:13
The only song I'm familiar with is Led Zeppelin's live Whole Lotta Love.  You get some good footage of it in The Song Remains the Same.  Great instrument!  Where would Grade-B Science Fiction and Horror movies be without it?
The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
Back to Top
mikeco77 View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie


Joined: June 09 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 09 2009 at 20:31
One of the best uses of the Theramin in rock music is by Uriah Heep with Sweet Lorraine from the Magician's Birthday CD. As this instrument was used for the eerie sound effect in old horror movies, Ken Hensley captures and uses that eerie, haunting sound on that song.
Back to Top
OzzProg View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 02 2008
Location: Quebec
Status: Offline
Points: 540 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 09 2009 at 21:10
Pink Floyd MUST have used Theremin somewhere along the way, it just seems too abstract an instrument for them to pass up on.

(I'm mentally going through all their songs in my head to pick out Theremin!)
Soundcloud
Back to Top
OzzProg View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 02 2008
Location: Quebec
Status: Offline
Points: 540 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 09 2009 at 21:12
Quote
Focus - Love Remembered


Is that the "Weeee-OoOOOOo" that sounds during the romantic and mysterious flute playing?
Soundcloud
Back to Top
mirco View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 04 2005
Location: Venezuela
Status: Offline
Points: 819 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2009 at 10:37
Are you sure about Uriah heep? I had the same impression but never find the confirmation of it.
Please forgive me for my crappy english!
Back to Top
moshkito View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
Status: Offline
Points: 17444 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2009 at 11:47
Hi,
 
Baldie ... that's a great picture of Tim Blake ... but mannn ... he looks old, or am I not seeing it right? Goodness, it looks so new age'y that I wonder what he was doing with Hawkwind ... unless it is some kind of new age ambient prog ... ohhh mannnn ... that actually would sound far out!
 
I actually thought that the best use of the Theramin ever done was by PDQ Bach ... but I wonder if that is just way too proggy for this board and listeners ... I really wonder! Only problem is that he used to call it, bycicle wheel, windpipe, ballons, kazzoos ... and several other variations.
 
Would love to hear ... Seasonings 1/2 TSP done with a fuzzed out guitar, the kazoos (of course) and choir!


Edited by moshkito - June 12 2009 at 10:38
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.148 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.