Theremin
Concept
A theremin is an electronic instrument, first invented by Lev Termen in the early 1900s. It is a musical instrument that you don't touch while playing it. The typical theremin is played by waving the hands in the fields of two antennas: one that controls pitch, and one that controls volume. However, there are some theremins that have volume knobs or no volume control whatsoever, and only a pitch antenna.
There are some performers who play theremin in bands and concerts, although they're even more popular among electronics hobbyists. There are two routes one can take in building a theremin: purchasing a kit from a manufacturer and putting it together, or buying all of the parts at an electronics store, etching your own circuit boards, and making it yourself.
For more information on theremins, there is a lot of interesting reading on theremin world and theremin vox.
Directions and Plans
- there is a set of plans for making a theremin from scratch. it uses a pitch antenna, and an optical volume control (as opposed to a traditional antenna-based volume control).