Theremin Lesson One

[exonerator]

sheldon. that is all

[MacbethIceman777]

Mr. Grillo, the videos you post are excellent to say the least. Your ability to instruct and the knowledge you have acquired on the Theremin is great. I honestly believe by doing these videos, will spark interest in a younger generation and continued interest in those who play now..

[ThomasGrillo]

@MacbethIceman777 Thank you. It's always been my intention to spread awareness, not only of the instrument's existance, but how it's played from both a lay-person's as well as a musician's point of view. :)

[Shakyvideos]

thumbs up if Jimmy Page brought you here!!

[pluiedavril]

very nice ! thanks Maestro !

[ThomasGrillo]

@pluiedavril You're welcome. :)

[pilanceboil]

Wow! Thanks for educating me. I was looking at Green screen kits at Amazon. Saw your review. Came to youtube and searched for evening prayer. And I'll be honest. I thought it was a joke at first. Never heard about the theremin before.  I really appreciate you making this video - it was fascinating and educational. Thanks!

[ThomasGrillo]

@pilanceboil Nope, no joke. ;) You're welcome. I'm glad you came away learning about the theremin as well as being properly entertained. Hope you enjoy the more recent vids too.

[paulineyml]

I am here simply because i am interested in this instrument.......sound ghosty to me

[ThomasGrillo]

@paulineyml Welcome to the theremin. They can indeed sound ghostly, but at the same time, if played well, can be very beautiful. Have a look at my other videos while you're here. :)

[7silvershadow7]

i was looking at naruto music then i some how i wound up here

[ThomasGrillo]

@7silvershadow7 I hope you enjoy your visit. :)

[WatsonHelmholtz]

Play Ave Maria on one of these things!!

[ThomasGrillo]

@WatsonHelmholtz Already have. Check out Theremin Concert on Burns B3 Deluxe Theremin at my channel. It's the first cut in the concert. :)

[TheOneGuitarded]

so awesome! c:

[ThomasGrillo]

@TheOneGuitarded Thanks. :)

[zer0dude21]

whoa c:

[lindhays]

Too cool!

[SqueakStixRock]

Hahaha I love messing around with this thing!!

[ThomasGrillo]

@SqueakStixRock Yup. That's how it all starts. Next thing ya know, you'll be on a stage somewhere with it. Hopefully ;)

[SqueakStixRock]

@ThomasGrillo We used it for our show for marching band. It was neat. I wasn't the one who played it though. We would all goof off in the band room and annoy our band director with it. =P It is amazing though and a very complex instrument.

[ThomasGrillo]

@SqueakStixRock LOL! :) Yeh, I left one on in studio, and my mother walked by it, and darn near had a heart attack when it screamed. :)

[666nargarothfreak666]

@ThomasGrillo

Where do you buy it?

[ThomasGrillo]

@666nargarothfreak666 I've got a list of theremin manufacturers at my channel, and web site. Most ship internationally. :)

[666nargarothfreak666]

@ThomasGrillo

ok thanks :) will look for it :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@666nargarothfreak666 You're welcome. :)

[rictusemprai]

Sheldon Cooper brought me here.

[ThomasGrillo]

@rictusemprai Welcome. :)

[billfund]

hmm, weird item, but interesting.

[ThomasGrillo]

@billfund It is indeed that. :)

[FitzFS]

do you plug that in like a guitar cab or a mix table? I don't quite get the amplification of this mofo..

[ThomasGrillo]

@FitzFS You can either jack into an amp, or into a mixing board, and then on to speakers / recording devices.

[TheBobulus]

This sounds like a woman singing!!!

[ThomasGrillo]

@TheBobulus Indeed. That's partly because of the way I do vibrato, and the tonal charactor of the instrument.

[Stratorancios]

What happens if you touch it?

[ThomasGrillo]

@Stratorancios If the pitch rod is touched, the theremin will simply play the highest note it's capable of playing. If you touch the volume loop antenna, then it will go silent. If you touch the cabinet, only a slight change in pitch might be noticed.

[TheNightcloudHATER]

I NEED ONE OF THESE

[ThomasGrillo]

@TheNightcloudHATER Head over to my channel for a list of links to theremin makers. :)

[SharkfordMixes]

When's he going to play the star trek theme tune?

[ThomasGrillo]

@SharkfordMixes Paramount Pictures has expressly denied permission for me to perform any of it's Star Trek themes. Sorry.

[gleventhal]

Next stop, Ebay!

[Bigmanbam44]

i wonder what it would do hooked to a tube amp

[ThomasGrillo]

@Bigmanbam44 It would sound much richer, smoother, and warmer, but tubes don't last as long.

[SmashSisBrawl]

Midsomer Murder Mysteries uses the theremin in their theme song.

[ThomasGrillo]

@SmashSisBrawl Yes, it did. :)

[Axbent]

any famous music that played on this, that I've probably heard?

[ThomasGrillo]

@Axbent Yeh, tons of stuff. A lot of rock artists have used theremins, and even a number of classical performers have used it. You've heard theremins in sci-fi movies too. :)

[MusicMan44144]

sounds something like a violin and a human voice!!

[DonBallin]

im here cause of jimmy page X{D

[Valecita483]

Hal Sparks brought me here.

[DigitalVideoFX]

thumbs up if big bang theory brought you here...BAZINGA!

[handidrummed]

@DigitalVideoFX lol yes!

[derbunkerkoenig]

@DigitalVideoFX

No, the Beach Boys did it ;)

[DallyJaxson]

WANT

[ZroseZ]

How the hell did I get here?

[ThomasGrillo]

@ZroseZ Beats me. While you're here, check out the theremin performance vids. :)

[8753da4yeyy]

i have never heard of this instrument in my entire life until now

[ThomasGrillo]

@8753da4yeyy I hope you eventually get the chance to try one, or see one in person concert. :)

[SheldonZgaga]

Sheldon!

[kruxy404]

creepy 

[NoobWarlocc]

Just got a theremin this morning for Christmas :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@NoobWarlocc Congratulations on the Christmas theremin! :)

I wish you all the best with the theremin, and merry Christmas! :)

[FutureKubrick]

Me and my band just used a teremin on one of our recordings in the studio recently. Gave the track a great feel and sound :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@FutureKubrick Hey, thanks for the note about your theremin track! :) Email me a link to it. I'd like to hear it. By the way, to get airtime for it, submit it to Spellbound A Brief Program Of Music For Theremin. They play theremin music every Sunday night on their internet radio station which is associated with Signus Radio Network. There's a link to them at my web page in the links section.

[TheKidikyo20]

i just bought a theremin and i dont know how to use it no sound is coming out of it it has a knob for the volume

[ThomasGrillo]

@TheKidikyo20 Congrats on the new theremin.

Check audio cable is fully seated in both line out jack on theremin, and the amp.

Check volume on amp set to about a level 3, or so.

Check power adaptor fully seated in power jack on theremin, and wall main is providing power. (If outlet is switched, check swith is ON)

If still no joy, let me know, also, contact manufacturer for assistance if the above does not work.

[photoremaker]

just bought burns B3 delux cant wait to learn this instrument...

[ThomasGrillo]

@photoremaker Congratulations! I wish you all the best with the theremin. Happy holidays too! :)

[OldChikity]

how does the theremin work?

[ThomasGrillo]

@OldChikity Theremins use capacitence as the interface we use to control tone generating beat frequency oscilators. 2 BFOs producing nearly 250,000 Hz (250 Khz), one of which is a few beats off, combine to produce the audible 20 hz - 8 kHz we hear (piano range). The antennas are actually capacitence plates. We make up the rest of the circuit. Sound goes out to speaker or recording device. Pretty cool.

[MrForextrader]

OMG ... I LOVE this instrument!!! I need one!!! Thank you Thomas!

[ThomasGrillo]

@MrForextrader You're welcome. I wish you all the best with the theremin. :)

[HeartOfTheives]

''Playing errors included to demonstrate how difficult it is to play the theremin well."

Are you sure you didn't just make mistakes during the video? No shame.. You can tell me ;)

[ThomasGrillo]

@HeartOfTheives The errors are real, and were indeed unintended. They were not scripted. I really did decide to leave the video unedited in order to demonstrate the difficulties involved with theremin playing. However, that was 4 years ago. I've been playing for nearly 5 and a half years, and nolonger make quite as many errors, but none the less, they do happen, even in my latest performance, albeit not as badly. :)

[vengadorsky]

can i somehow plug a theremin onto my computer and record something?

[ThomasGrillo]

@vengadorsky Yes. You'll simply need to run the theremin's audio cable with a 1/4 to 1/8 adaptor to run the audio into the lin input of your computer's sound card, or external usb sound card, and then just run your audio edit program set to capture audio, and record.

[GuaranteedSanctuary]

I almost expected him to star going 'TROLOLOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLALALA'­…

[ThomasGrillo]

@GuaranteedSanctuary Uh,,,no. ;)

[aiund123]

Zelda brought me here somehow?

[UnknownConsequencess]

can this device only produce a violon kinda sound, or can you use/add multiple sound pads?

[ThomasGrillo]

@UnknownConsequencess This particular model had CV outs that could go to synthesizers and devices that can interact with midi. There are several other models like Etherwave Plus, PAiA theremin, and Wavefront's theremin to midi cv interface. Effects devices that work well with guitars can also be put inline with theremins for awesome effects.

[UnknownConsequencess]

@ThomasGrillo thanks for the quick response :) and that's pretty cool!

[ThomasGrillo]

@UnknownConsequencess You're welcome. :)

[AlexRandomness658]

this is amazing

[ThomasGrillo]

@AlexRandomness658 Thank you. :)

[ChocomintCA]

IMPOSSIBRU

[bromixsr]

"SPACE.....The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship, Enterprise."

[MrQwaazga]

The fifties movie, "The Day The Earth Stood Still" brought me here. As well as the Beach Boys song, "Good Vibrations".

[EzheFhabi]

Serj Tankien Here !

[victoramantee]

Led Zeppelin brought me here

[mrskaterboy677]

what kind of sorcery is this

[ThomasGrillo]

@mrskaterboy677 Technological. :)

[firstofakind]

Brian Wilson brought me here.

[Ongymusic]

My own curiosity brought me here!

[ThomasGrillo]

@Ongymusic Welcome. I hope you come away more enlightened about all things theremin. :)

[TCTF1423]

great video! thanks for posting

[ThomasGrillo]

@TCTF1423 Thanks. Glad you liked it. ;)

[nirvanaisdeshit]

i know this instrument know because i wath The Big Bang Theory XD

[xTayy1]

Milhouse VanHouten brought me here.

[zdkrdh]

Thanks, I didn't know how to play it, now I just have to acquire one... or perhaps I'll buy an ebow for my guitar

[ThomasGrillo]

@zdkrdh Yeh, I checked out an ebow a while back. They're pretty cool. I only wish they made one that would do all the strings instead of just one at a time. The Moog Guitar, and some others do have sustainers that work like ebows under the strings.

[m4kes0meno1se]

jimmy page brought me here

[chazzman1900]

@m4kes0meno1se Me too

[Lachance8]

Amazing! :) Liz!

[ThomasGrillo]

@Lachance8 Thank you. :)

[iheartemoboyss]

It sounds like a woman singing! That's so cool! XD

[ThomasGrillo]

@iheartemoboyss Indeed. Thanks. :)

[Pilobolus89]

My housemates and I acquired a theremin last night! We're very anxious to begin playing it (playing it well, might I add). Thank you for the wonderful video, I cannot wait to attempt it again! 

[ThomasGrillo]

@Pilobolus89 Congratulations, and welcome to the theremin. Be sure and check my web site for my DVD, Theremin Lessons for even more instruction. I also teach via skype if you need even more lessons. Do let me know if I can be of any assistance. :)

[bok666choy]

Simpsons

[ThomasGrillo]

@bok666choy LOL ;)

[PokeyVision]

The Simpsons brought me here. Thanks Millhouse. 

[kurisux]

mmm, this is a beautiful instrument. Thank you for the video! I hope I can find one somewhere and try it out... :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@kurisux Thanks. Check out some of the big name music shops near you. They might have an Etherwave available to try.

[pennydogpoo1986]

yo gabba gabba brought me here



[SeazBreeze]

The Big Bang Theory^^ Sheldon is the best!!

[Piorn]

Reminds me of the woman in the Tower of Latria.

[hugo182]

Big Bang Theory??? The simpsons brought me here! (S15E14)!

[sleepy0815]

BIG BANG THEORY !!! FTW

[dieselheart001]

The sound quality is almost eerily human. With the vibrato it has a "warmer" feel.

And a feminine quality. I am gathering up what I need to build my first theremin, a

Mark Keppinger design. So I will be following your videos here with great interest.

Thank you for this video lesson!

[ThomasGrillo]

@dieselheart001 Thanks for the kind words. I certainly wish you all the best with your Keppinger build. I've always wanted to build one my self. The folks over at thereminworld are a great resource if you have any questions regarding the technical aspects of adjusting the oscilator circuit of the Keppinger theremin. I can't wait to see your instrument in action when it's completed. Good luck, and have fun with it. :)

[demonjack123]

I like the vintage feel of your videos =)

[ThomasGrillo]

@demonjack123 Thanks, but I'm using much more sophisticated toys lately, so don't get too used to the vintage feel. ;)

[cdnLEE]

damn, even a scale sounds beautiful.

[ThomasGrillo]

@cdnLEE Thanks. ;)

[sooooooooDark]

kinda sounds like a womens voice

[ThomasGrillo]

@sooooooooDark Indeed. Thanks. :)

[TheMrQwertyify]

The Rolling Stones' Brian Jones used one of these.

[jsbastianvl]

sheldon cooper brought me here...XD

[jsbastianvl]

the big bang theory!! XD

[Skatergangstar]

haha nur durch big bang theorie hier so gut

[ritzdvff]

Noel Gallagher brought me here.

[cxrlxs89]

The Big Bang Theory brought me here jajajaja

[ThomasGrillo]

@cxrlxs89 Cool. :)

[24Acess]

@cxrlxs89 hahahaha me tooo HAHAHA

[Mikarevival]

@cxrlxs89 the same me!!! the 12th episode of 4th Series!!!! Eheheh!!!

[Hope000666]

@cxrlxs89 me too

[paffeke]

@cxrlxs89 AHAHAHHA ME TOO!

[balazsradvanyi]

@cxrlxs89 Me too!

[Mitche23]

@cxrlxs89 Nobody knows the trouble I've seen :)

[Iancharcoal]

how much did your theremin cost?

[ThomasGrillo]

@Iancharcoal The Etherwave Pro (discontinued) cost about $1200 new. However, Moog Music still produces the Etherwave Standard for about $400, which you can make sound more like the Pro by adding in the ESPE01 theremin enhancement module. Burns Theremins also makes a good starter theremin series too. Check my channel for links to manufacturers.

[Freshtojeff]

this is too cool need to learn how to play this.

[ThomasGrillo]

@Freshtojeff After watching these videos, head to thereminworld on the web and check out the Learn To Play threads for links to more learning matereals regarding the theremin. :)

[THPION]

Led Zeppelin brought me here.

[benblue3]

Wayside brought me here!!

[ThomasGrillo]

@benblue3 Cool. :)

[dannyhick100]

How did you master this thing?

[ThomasGrillo]

@dannyhick100 I got hold of every shred of what little information was available at the time, and worked hard at experimentation, practice, and watched the dvd that came with my theremins, as well as buying, and downloading as many books, and videos as I could find, but mostly, a lot of work went into developing the technique. It's a lot like learning the violin, while riding a unicycle on a tight-rope blindfolded, all at once.

[ascari12]

sheldon cooper's communication gadget.

[ThomasGrillo]

@ascari12 LOL ;)

[satanX15]

That has to be the most amazing musical instrument I have ever seen.

[ThomasGrillo]

@satanX15 Thank you. It is indeed. :)

[pipprfuoi]

amazing instrument!! :-)

[ThomasGrillo]

@pipprfuoi Yes, it is. Thanks. :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@xJohnnyClutch Electronic. :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@xJohnnyClutch Actually, it's electronic. ;)

[MDkid1]

those first few notes sound like a very nice voice!

[ThomasGrillo]

@MDkid1 Thank you. You should check out my more recent videos too. :)

[Strikeminator]

Incredible! How much is one of these? I think i need one.

[ThomasGrillo]

@Strikeminator The one seen here was discontinued, but Moog Music makes the Etherwave Standard, and with the installation of the ESPE01 theremin enhancement module, the Etherwave Standard has 7 octaves, instead of 5+, and better sound. The Standard is about $400, the module, 59 Euros, but worth it. Burns Theremins makes several modles of B3 from $150 to $500. There are several other builders out there like Wavefront, and PAiA, Subscope, others.

[kristinadamsfan]

I'll stick with piano.

[ThomasGrillo]

@kristinadamsfan It is an incredibly difficult instrument. ;)

[CrzyEX]

this has to cause cancer...

[ThomasGrillo]

@CrzyEX Research needs to be done on this one. However, the inventor, Leon Theremin, as well as it's most notable performer, Clara Rockmore, and others have performed or worked with theremins for many decades prior to there passings in their 90s with no known cancers reported. I've been practicing and performing with the theremin for over 5 years as of this comment, and I practice for at least 8 to 10 hours per day. Theremins are way weaker than even a baby monitor, or cell phone.

[cocokitty55]

how it is God's instrument: God has hands, and with those simple hands, he created us, a beautiful creation of his. And he believes our praising Him is the ultimate music! :D

[ThomasGrillo]

@cocokitty55 It's just a figure of speech, not to be taken seriously. LOL The F-111 was said to be God's plane. I think the same was said of the P-51 Mustang, and Concord, ect. It just means it's cool. ;)

[Benjobanjoboy]

@cocokitty55 and that's self obsession if ever i heard it :P

[silux76]

God's instrument ! 

[ThomasGrillo]

@silux76 Indeed. ;)

[Dralcoffin]

Kill it with fire!

[ThomasGrillo]

@Dralcoffin Reaches for the fire extinguisher. Safe now. ;)

[blessedwithapizza]

I WANT TO LEAAARRRNNNN :O

[ThomasGrillo]

@blessedwithapizza Cool. :)

[MPSecare]

spooooooookkyyyyy

[ThomasGrillo]

@MPSecare Thank that's spooky? Check out my vid, Spooky Old Graveyard. :)

[MPSecare]

@ThomasGrillo cool will do!

[sshpad]

This instrument is amazing! Wonderful video!

[ThomasGrillo]

@sshpad Thank you. :)

[gligable]

awesome instrument