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Calculate900 View Drop Down
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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.
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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"

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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
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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!
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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.
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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
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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,
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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


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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
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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)
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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?
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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.
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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!)
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Points: 540 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 09 2009 at 21:12
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Focus - Love Remembered


Is that the "Weeee-OoOOOOo" that sounds during the romantic and mysterious flute playing?
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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!
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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
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