theremin

E866337

The theremin is an early electronic musical instrument played without physical contact, producing eerie, wavering tones by sensing the performer’s hand movements in electromagnetic fields.

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf aerophone-like electronic instrument
electronic musical instrument
monophonic musical instrument
alsoKnownAs etherphone NERFINISHED
theremin-vox
thereminvox NERFINISHED
controlMethod hand proximity to pitch antenna
hand proximity to volume antenna
controls pitch
volume
countryOfOrigin Russia
developedInDecade 1920s
exhibitedAt concert halls
electronic music festivals
science museums
featuredIn Spellbound (1945 film soundtrack) NERFINISHED
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951 film soundtrack) NERFINISHED
hasComponent pitch antenna
volume antenna
hasOutput audio signal to amplifier
hasTuning continuous pitch (glissando capable)
hasVariant Moog Etherwave Theremin NERFINISHED
Theremini NERFINISHED
historicalSignificance one of the first electronic musical instruments used in public performance
influenced development of other electronic instruments
inventedBy Léon Theremin NERFINISHED
inventionYear 1920
isMonophonic true
notablePerformer Carolina Eyck NERFINISHED
Clara Rockmore NERFINISHED
Lydia Kavina NERFINISHED
Pamelia Kurstin NERFINISHED
patentCountry Soviet Union NERFINISHED
United States NERFINISHED
patentedBy Léon Theremin NERFINISHED
playedWithout physical contact
poweredBy electricity
requires good ear training
precise pitch control by performer
signalType analog electronic signal
soundCharacter eerie
wavering
soundProductionMethod heterodyning of radio frequency oscillators
typicalUse avant-garde music
classical music arrangements
experimental music
film soundtracks
science fiction sound effects
uses electromagnetic fields

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.