Added: 3 years ago
From: ThomasGrillo
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  • Which of you found the existence of this instrument on "The Big Bang Theory" ?

  • @ElliottGeorge2 Nope my electronic music class today.

  • Beautiful theremin model. This must be worth like 10 grand now, and the price will only go up...

  • @dvamateur It is indeed. However, it's one of the 1300 that were built with black cabinets on the audience side, so it's only worth about 2 grand. The walnut version, of which there were only 80 made go for more.

  • genius.

    

  • @djmalatesta :)

  • Beautiful song but seems like he just stares through your soul

  • @DirtyTurtleesVideos LOL. Thanks. Working on that stare thing. Have a look at my newer videos. :)

  • id really like to know if u could play virtuoso stuff with the theremin

    dont know maybe sth like the chopin etudes ?

  • @xXAzNBa0Xx Yes, you can. But it takes a long time to master them. Check out my other performances. I have some that are quite difficult already up, like Der Erlkonig. :)

  • The Theremin is singing!

  • :O. How the hell do you know where to put your hand for certain notes? Must've taken lots of practice, and is this your job - a theriminist I mean?

  • @Akrisaen As you work with theremins over time, you gradually establish muscle memory, so you can, with confidence, know that when you move your hand or fingers from one place to another, the note you intend to play, will be played, unless an unexpected intrusion by a person, or animal into your pitch field occurs. :) It takes weeks years to master, as with any instrument. But this one's really tough. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo how does the theremin itself actually work? is it like an interruption of waves or something along the lines of that?

  • @Akrisaen Theremins are electronic. They work on capacitence. Our hands and bodies become capacitence plates in a capacitence circuit which controls beat frequency oscilators. There are two BFOs which produce nearly 250 kHz (quarter milion beats / sec), which is inaudible. One BFO is a few beats off from the other. Combination produces audible 20 Hz to 8 kHz (range of piano) audible tone. This is known as heterodyning (differing energies). More at wikipedia under theremin on the web.

  • Unbelievable :D

  • how much does a theremin cost? and did it take very long for you to learn playing? it's just amazing..i'm watching this about 30minutes now :O I play violin, do you think this would help learning the theremin faster?

  • @MiriStoned Depending on model, theremins range between a couple hundred, to a few thousand dollars. It takes several years to fully master the theremin. About a month to learn basics, 6 months to play fairly well. Playing violin or other fretless instruments certainly helps the learning process along considerably. I also played the theremin in my younger days. :) Check my channel for list of links to theremin manufacturers.

  • duuuude you are amazing!

  • @MiriStoned Thank you. :)

  • Genious!

  • @Lalli1987 Thank you. :)

  • awesome ^^

  • @SerialZ70 Thank you. ;)

  • excellent rendition, but please try to smile more often, yours,Howard...

  • @themanfromwem Thank you. Check out my latest videos. I've made some improvements in that area, but it really is that demanding of an instrument to play. LOL ;)

  • Nice job Thomas, I enjoyed it 5 stars!

  • @dano94 Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

  • i know this sounds corny, but...

    my dog loved to listen to this song. she passed away recently, so now whenever i think of her i listen to this. thank you for creating this memory for me, and please continue your wonderful music.

  • @clickcijum Not corny at all. Mine listens when I practice all the time. I'm very touched by your story, and regret the loss of your friend. I'm glad my playing helps keep the memory of your dog alive. I shall certainly continue to produce my music videos.

    I wish you all the best.

  • One of my favorite songs of all time. You did it so very, very well. Kudos!

  • @comadjinn Thank you. :)

  • My Orchestra teacher told me to look this up

  • @3picInsanity I'm glad you stopped by. I hope you enjoyed it. Do thank your teacher for me, please. :)

  • @3picInsanity mine did too!

  • I have been playing music for years and always looking for something new. I have never seen anything like this ever and I am totally blown away. Great job, this has put me in a good mood

  • @coachbenhvbc Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

  • This is so beautiful ! :)

  • @bastiwen Thank you. :)

  • =)

  • dat facial expression

  • @Pigboy501 Yeh, LOL :) This was 3 years ago. I've been workin' on it.

  • Very haunting.

  • @pluralZZ9 Indeed. Thank you. :)

  • is Kristian Banatzianou from Greece?

  • @panosroumee1316 I don't know. You might visit his site, and ask him. :)

  • Beautiful!!

  • @SpaceAscriabine Thank you. :)

  • What model of theremin is this? Where did you get it, and how much was it?

  • @KeenaHyena Hi. The theremin here is the Moog Music Etherwave Pro theremin. When new, it was $1300. However, it's been discontinued, but sometimes shows up on ebay. Only about 1400 or so were made. HOWEVER! :) You can get the Moog Etherwave Standard, and enhance it with the ESPE01 module to get sound quality that rivals the Etherwave Pro. See also: Exploring The ESPE01 Theremin Enhancement Module video I produced recently. The standard may not look as good, but now sounds nearly as good. :)

  • his unrelenting stare does creep me out after a while, i mean like how do you stare at something for so long without moving your eyes.....

  • @brookie2664 LOL. ;) Yeh, check out my later videos. I've been working on that. Still don't blink much when I play. 

  • @ThomasGrillo Sound is great though =P But i still love that vibrato, you just simply can't get that much vibrato on the violin (unless you want to take a lot of effort going up the fingerboard, which sometimes hurts my fingers....).

  • @brookie2664 Thank you. :) I know what you mean. I used to play the violin in my teens, util I nicked a knuckle with a hoppy knife trying to build a model. After that, never could get vibrato ever again with that finger. Even before the accident, It was rather difficult for me to execute a suitable vibrato.

  • Creepy sound, gives me chills

  • @nelti You think this gives you chills? Check out my video on the Waterphone. LOL :)

  • @ThomasGrillo

    Hey, if you think thats scary, have a look at glass harmonicas.

    Dude, you totally need a glass harmonica. That instrument was banned for giving people depression. Epic ;-)

  • @Strikeminator Yeh, it is a creepy, yout beautiful sounding instrument, but it wasn't that glass harmonicas "gave" people depression, but rather, it was thought that people who were prone to depression were likely to suffer relapses, and were warned not to attend glass harmonica performances. When theremins first arrived in 1920s / 30s, power was new, and women would faint as they thought they were hearing angels singing. ;)

  • That dude kicks ass!

  • @PragaLord Thanks. ;)

  • How much is the one you have?

  • @DangerWildpants The one seen here was discontinued a few years ago, but if you want a theremin with about the same sound quality, you'll want an Etherwave Standard or Plus that's been modified with Thierry Frenkel's ESPE01 enhancement module. Visit Moog Music for the theremin cost. Visit theremindotnl for the module info.

  • How do those work?

  • @clickcijum Theremins are electronic. The antennas produce a field of electromagnitec electrical energy that is sensitive to our capacitence. The antennas which are capacitence plates allow us to control one of two beat frequency oscilators which, by them selves produce inaudible (250,000 Hz) tones, but together combine to produce audible tones (20 hz to 8 kHz). This is called heterodyning (differing energies). The tone is routed via audio cable to an amp, and speaker. They were invented 1920s.

  • I was wondering what a Theremin was.

    and it's the alien/spaceship sound.

    I see.

    I bet those are expensive

  • @RightOfNowhere Yeh, this particular theremin, the Etherwave Pro (discontinued) was about $1200 new.

  • Wonderful :) I feel the rubato is little excessive near the beginning, but I suppose it's not too bad. Sometimes I feel like your control of dynamics is not quite there either. It's certainly very good but the dynamic hand isn't subtle enough to make the singing-like quality really come out. A good performance though.

  • @spiggildywiggildy Thanks for the critique. I would tend to agree. The Etherwave Pro tends to be a little hot in the dynamics, and needs internal adjustments. However. Have a look at my later videos, please. I think you'll be surposed by the difference between then (this vid), and now. ;)

  • The most beautiful sound ever made through this instrument

  • @brinkofdisasterfreak Thank you. :)

  • This is the nicest theremin that I've ever heard! Not only that, but this is probably most pleasing theremin player that I've heard. I am a musician myself, mainly into keyboard instruments. I did try my hand at playing a theremin in Louisville, KY, in their science museum. Yes, I figured out how to do vibrato and tremolo.

    From John Nozum

  • @JNozum Thanks for the kind words John. I do hope you get to try a theremin in a more controlled environment where you have total control of the instrument. I wish you all the best with your musical endeavours. ;)

  • banatzianou sounds like greek. actually names that end with -ou and -os are greek names.

  • @techno2011997 Ah, thanks for the info. ;)

  • is kristian banatzianou greek?

  • @techno2011997 That's a good question. I have no idea.

  • Do you not think the theremin would make a.wonderful control device?

  • @Charverharver Funny you should ask. Theremins like Etherwave Pro, Etherwave Plus, and PAiA kit theremins all have CV outputs that let you control synthesizers, and other devices that have CV inputs. :)

  • It's like a violin 

  • @TheGrownUpAdult Thank you. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo umm... can this instrument cause cancer?

  • @gamerman001 Conclussive research has yet to be don on the effects of theremin energy on living tissues. However, the Theremin's inventor, Leon Theremin, and musician, Clara Rockmore worked with, and played the theremin for decades with no reports of cancer after they passed away back in the late 90s. Leon invented the theremin 1919.

  • What can I say? Superb! The setting, the bow tie, the backless waistcoat, the music! A class act.

  • @Offshoreorganbuilder Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Do check out my latest videos too. :)

  • I had no idea that messing with the intrinsic Impedance of free space would make such sad tunes. Is God crying?

  • @bozomal Nah, just the theremin singing away. :)

  • Do you happen to have the sheet music for the song on piano?

  • @Guitarist500 Yes, I do. I got it from Sheetmusicplus on the web.

  • @Guitarist500 Yes, I do. I got it from Sheetmusicplus on the web. I think it's also at virtualsheetmusic.

  • Listen to theremin pieces by Clara Rockmore, she makes this guy seem like an amateur.

  • @RETRO714 That's because I was only playing for about 3 years when this video was posted. She'd been playing for, oh, about 5 DECADES when the recording you heard of Clara was recorded. I've certainly got a ways to go, but have made some progress in the last couple of years since this video. Have a look at my more recent videos. :)

  • I cant stop watching these, and I like how you, unlike other youtubers, take the time to thank us and are very kind.

  • @IqSNarwhalZZ It's just the right thing to do. Thanks for watching, and stay tuned. ;)

  • I started crying at 37 seconds.  I've heard several silly performances on the theremin, but this beautiful performance proves music doesn't come from the instrument, it comes from the soul.

  • @peachcloverlauper Indeed. Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the performance. :)

  • Mr. Grillo- I am astounded by the subtlety and nuance you bring to this instrument. I have been a theremin fan since I first heard Lothar and the Hand People a hundred years ago. I have got to say, sir, that you are the most accomplished musician with this weird and wonderful device that I have ever seen or heard. Bravo!

  • @vegasartboy Thank you for the kind words. Stay tuned. :)

  • I love your music, and your presentation. It is perfect.

  • @dannon2010 Thank you. :)

  • this is so pro. love it :O

  • @gokao609 Thank you. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo your very welcome :)

  • I think I'm in love with you . . .

    Well, at least you're exceptional musical talent ;)

    In reality, I've actually fallen in love with this beautiful sound. A mixture between a violin and opera it made me cry. Not to mention the song itself is gorgeous. Although the Theremin is not quite as beautiful as the curves and craftsmanship of the guitar, piano or violin, it's sound is equal to if not surpasses them by far. Thank you so much for sharing you're gift to the world. Bravo!!!

  • @munckattack42 Thank you for the kind words. I agree. Theremins should look more like a musical instrument than they do. Of Course, you're only seeing the audience side of the Moog Etherwave Pro. Have a look at my latest video, Valse Sentimentale. In the first few seconds of the vid, you get to see the player side. This particular theremin is one of the few, other than the Burns B3 Pro, which look more like musical instruments. :)

  • and where is the theremin?????????????????

  • @Hylianlinkr2 The theremin is at the lower portion of your screen. The Etherwave Pro was designed to be "out of the way".

  • Wow, beautious.

  • @witchman1 Thanks. :)

  • This is so cool! You've inspired me to learn the theremin. Is it hard to learn? How long did it take for you to get this good?

  • @AngryRantingNerd Thanks for the kind words. :)

    It took nearly a couple of years to reach the level of proficiancy seen here. However, if you'll check my later videos, you'll notice definate changes in performance quality. It does take years to master the theremin.

    It's considered the most difficult instrument in the world to play "well". Not to be comfused with one of the most difficult instruments to play period, which has to be the pipe organ. IMHO :)

  • Really interesting instrument! sounds almost like operah xD

  • @GeneralAnimator Thank you for the kind words. Opera, and classical music have really inspired me to play the way I do, making it sound more human, that is. :)

  • i had no idea this was an instrument until i saw this video o.o

  • @phantompanda14 Thank you. :)

  • hey, no offence, but using the thermin sounds out of tune and creepy sorry. but very well played though :) does the theremin have strings or something? cant see it. cool instument :)

  • @boomz32145 It's important to keep in mind that at the time this video was shot I'd only been playing for about 2 years. Intonation has improved greatly. Check out my latest vids. :)

    Theremins use no strings at all. They are electronic, and work on our capacitence. There's a field of energy around the antennas (capacitence plates). When a hand moves closer to the vertical rod, notes go up in pitch. The little loop controls volume. The sound goes out via cable to the amp or speaker.

  • hey, no offence, but using the thermin sounds out of tune and creepy :S sorry. but very well played though :) does the theremin have strings or something? cant see it. cool instument :)

  • @boomz32145 I've been working on itonation since this performance. :) Yes, theremins, if one is not very careful, can indeed sound out of tune, and even in the best circumstances, can be slightly off by a few cents either way. People with "perfect pitch" have the most dificulty listening to and playing theremins. There are no strings. It works with your capacitence which allows one to play it without touching the theremin. It uses a process known as heterodyning.

  • wowww this is great

  • @MrFagmuncher thank you. :)

  • Such a lovely piece of music

    Can you do arpeggios on the Theremin? What about chords?

  • @Eztoez Thank you. :)

    You can do scales, arpeggios, ect with the theremin, except for chords (for the time being).

    However, you can connect a TC Helicon harmonizing effects pedal to a theremin and get chords! :)

    Have a look at the video Happy New Year on theremin which I did last year, and features the Wavefront Travel Case theremin connected to the harmonizer. The harmony kicks in half way through the vid. Enjoy :)

  • omg,this is so beautiful..

  • @chitucoolass Thank you. :)

  • isnt this from"one flew over the coocukss nest"?

  • @NickTies Gosh, I've not seen that movie in so long, I don't remember what music was used in that. I'd have to watch it again.

  • @ThomasGrillo well it sounds like one of the songs from it

  • @NickTies Well, now I'm heading to netflix to look up that movie, and give it a listen. :)

  • Such an ingenious piece of musical technology. It sounds so beautiful...

  • @BLinDaTbESt Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

  • Aaaaaaah I saw Clara Rockmore like SECONDS ago. And I didn't get what she was doing (like I wisely posted)... But now I do. It's weird and science-fiction-y BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT SO BAD.

  • @HelenaKoonings Thanks for the comment. ;) If you'd like to have a go at the theremin, just head over to my channel where you'll find a list of theremin manufacturers.

  • Star Trek theme was probably made with help from a theremin.

  • @jjojjorge Actually, only a female vocalist, and flute were used to create that theremin sounding sequence for the original series of Star Trek. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo I should have said influenced or inspired. I admire her voice during the theme. I will go learn more about her. Thanks.

  • @jjojjorge Ah, cool. You're welcome. :)

  • awesome. can you make changes on the frequency? can you make it sound different? (just like plugging a effects pedal on a guitar)

    i think it would be great if it can :)

  • @masterkulot You certainly can alter the sound with effects pedals and other devices. Have a look at my JHS Mods Synth Drive pedal demo at my channel.

  • u r beautiful

  • @ThomasGrillo thanks for telling me and it sounds very hard to play and you are very talented

  • @tirazab You're welcome. :)

    The theremin is not the most difficult instrument in the world to play, but is considered the most difficult instrument in the world to play "well" :)

  • This sounds really beautiful but what are you playing no offense

  • @tirazab The instrument is an electronic musical instrument called a theremin. Theremins were invented in 1919 by Russian radio physicist, Leon Theremin. They're played without being touched. Inside are beat frequency oscilators which produce tones at over 250kHz (inaudible). Combined, they produce audible 20 to 8kHz (piano range) tone. One BFO is controled by musician's interaction with field of energy round the antenna (capacitence plate). Seen here is Moog Etherwave Pro, a modern theremin. :)

  • Ganz wunderbar gespielt - mit viel Gefühl und Einfühlungsvermögen. Wunderbar!! Daumen hoch!

    (Ich bin absoluter Laie, habe es aber selber auf der Klarinette mitgespielt zum Cello, weil es so gewünscht wurde:

    youtube.com/watch?v=VQDDd3Qdbw­M )

  • @ruevo1 Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed this work. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo Yes, I like it really very

  • @ruevo1 Thank you. :)

  • this song is so scarey. it gives me nightmares!

  • @Soymilllk If you think that's scary, you haven't seen my video, Spooky Old Graveyard". LOL :)

  • how much does one of those cost???

  • @FenderBoy123456 The one seen here is discontinued. It is the Moog Music Etherwave Pro, and retailed for $1300 new, but sometimes shows up on ebay. Other commonly available theremins range from less than a couple hundred dollars for "good" low end theremins on up into the thousands. Check my channel for links to theremin manufacturers, and current prices.

  • theremin just sounds so beautiful its just a wow everytime i see someone play this instrument it looks so hard to play

  • @djthemoney Thanks for the kind words. It really is that hard to play, but it's so much fun when it all comes together. :)

  • that is awsome!

  • @willis420247 Thank you. :)

  • amazing instrument

  • @DelfinSucksLife It really is. Thank you. :)

  • I love the sound of the theremin! It's so creepy and so calming at the same time :)

  • @USAMicrosoftGuy Thank you. Theremins are good like that. :)

  • Amazing instrument! So extraterestrial...

  • @Strikerokk Indeed. :)

  • 2 questions, about how much does a theremin cost and can you change the sound at all like a synthesizer? just curious

  • @R0FLtaco Theremins prices vary widely from a few hundred for Burns B3 theremins to half a grand for Moog Etherwave Standard or Plus theremins, to a few thousand for pro level theremins like the Etherwave Pro, Ethervox (both discontinued), Wavefront Classic, and many thousands for vintage theremins like the RCA theremin. If equipped with CV outs you can control synthesizers with theremins. Many models like Moog, and wavefront have knobs to change sound. Visit my channel for manufacturers' links.

  • this is about as far from my musical taste as you can get...

    but you are without doubt very talented sir.

  • @steininja Fair enough. :)

    Thank you. :)

  • Holy bolony! Are you Dracula? You never blinked!

    Great playing btw.

  • @plasticPlaystation LOL :) I get that a lot. Sometimes the theremin is so demanding, that blinking goes to the lowest level of multi-tasking priorities. :)

  • You have only been playing since July 2006!!!!? You are very talented, where are you based out of. I may have some work for you. Be Well

  • @nelsjensen Thanks for the kind words.

    I'm based in Mississippi. I can travel, but woould require travel, lodging, and daily expenses as well as my fee covered for distant events. I also produce musical works with the theremin for various productions when needed.

  • very cool! how long did it take you to learn how to play?

  • @UncleStumpy It took a few weeks to teach my self to play scales, and another several months to get it suitable for family, and close friends, but it took a few years to get the theremin to a level suitable for public consumption.

    I started in July of 2006. :)

  • Did you even blink once the ENTIRE TIME?

  • @hanie42 You know, that's a really good question. I never noticed if I did, or not while in post. LOL :)

  • love this guy! just built the paia theremax and hope to one day get this good. :) keep it up, thomas!

  • @timmeskers Thanks. :)

    Congratulations on the Theremax build. If you have any questions regarding fine tuning adjustments, there's an excelent thread on the Theremax at thereminworld on the web.

    Do let me know if I can be of assistance.

    I wish you all the best with the theremin.

  • Your face is scary when you play

  • @HildaMcFumble If you think that's scary, try playing one of these things when you've only had less than 2 years of experience with it. :)

    This was shot about 2 years ago. A lot's changed since then. :)

  • Absolutely beautiful. I have bought a B3 theremin (after hearing it on some of your videos) and am trying to play "The Swan" too, and tracking progress on youtube. I'll be happy if I'm able to make it sound half as good as this some day. :)

  • @AlKhwarizmi Thanks for the kind words. I certainly wish you all the best with your progress, and endeavours with the theremin. Do let me know if I can be of any assistance. :)