DIRGE FOR THEREMIN by Thereminist Thomas Grillo

[fanaticforgotten]

I just learned about this instrument in my college class! I can't believe I went on so long with never hearing about this SUPER COOL instrument! You are amazing!! I would love to see more and newer videos!

[ThomasGrillo]

@fanaticforgotten I'm so glad to hear about theremins being covered in education. Stay tuned. More vids are in the works. :)

[Ayamelovelie]

awsome! i learned about this instrument in school, but my music teacher couldnt play it, your really something!

[ThomasGrillo]

@Ayamelovelie  cool. I'm glad to hear the theremin is being introduced in music classes as a musical instrument. Thanks for the kind words. :)

[Asy77]

This is awesome! Im really impresed by how good you control the theremin.

[ThomasGrillo]

@Asy77 Thank you. :)

[MrGlenncom]

I think I'm falling in love with this instrument haha, it can be so beautiful at times and so haunting at others, brilliant playing too :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@MrGlenncom Thank you. :)

[paulhab12]

just beautifull. nice work! what is that diamond shaped art piece in the background? i really like it

[ThomasGrillo]

@paulhab12 Thanks for the kind words. The diamond shaped art in the background is actually my speaker. Speakers like this were used back in the 1920s and 30s with the early theremins. I built this one recently, using plexi-glass, and PVC pipe, as well as a picture frame for the edges of the soundboard. The speaker is in the center. Positioning the speaker behind the thereminist helps with playing. It also looks impressive to the audience to. ;)

[paulhab12]

@ThomasGrillo Hi that is awesome! i love antique sound equipment, any idea where i could find one? In regards to your other comment on your theremin lesson 1 video i had a look at your video of you playing the Burns B3 Deluxe, i must say for the price it has astounding tone, if you highly recommend it i will buy one next week. I see this one is the pro model, do you think its worth getting? I usually play drums & bass guitar but am dying to learn this instrument! thank you so much for you help

[ThomasGrillo]

@paulhab12 Thank you. The Burns theremins are great starter theremins for the price.

I like the Pros because they have a mute switch and a mode led to let me know if it's muted or not. The wood grain of the Pros are also very nice. ;)

[paulhab12]

@ThomasGrillo oh by the way i did notice you said that you constructed it yourself. i was just wondering if it were possible to refurbish an old one. you have excellent taste i can see

[ThomasGrillo]

@paulhab12 Thank you. I'm sure that if you can find the right size speaker with the correct impedance, wattage, and voltage, as well as magnet type, you should be able to refurm the speaker. Sometimes you don't have to replace a speaker, just have it re-coned.

[Szoo4004]

Lovely! I look forward to having even half the control that you do :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@Szoo4004 Thank you. Keep at it. You'll get there. :)

[ThrashTillYouCrash]

Subscribed. You're one talented dude! Keep it up! :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@ThrashTillYouCrash Thank you. :)

[dannon2010]

totally Awesome. I love the set and the suit...and the MUSIC. You are a freak of the highest order...and I LOVE it. We need more people like you. Embrace yourself, and see what comes up....beautiful.

[ThomasGrillo]

@dannon2010 Thank you. :)

[OtaConnor]

Very interesting looking man...

[mendex2006]

your performance is sublime and funny at the same time. Mainly when you suddenly look at camara 1 with that crazy look. But is better than the stonehead I saw in the videos before. You are a genius Grillo fella.

Btw: where do you think i can get a Theramin or i need to build one xD ?

[ThomasGrillo]

@mendex2006 Thanks for the kind words. :)

Just head to my channel where you'll find links to various theremin manufacturers of theremins. You can even build one from a kit if you like.

[ooo6]

Thanks Thomas. Nice work with the new video studio. :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@ooo6 You're welcome. :)

Thanks for the kind words.

[FrankyBabes]

The most entertaining and least dirge-like dirge I've ever heard.

And I mean that in a good way :D

[ThomasGrillo]

@FrankyBabes Thank you for the kind words. :)

[Zoidberg227]

You look so grim in some of the shots. Nicely done!

[ThomasGrillo]

@Zoidberg227 Hense, the name of the piece. :)

Thanks for the kind words. :)

[maxyliano]

I alawys find this amazing... Great piece, and awesome performance. The fingering seems to be a bit tricky around 1:08... is the fingering any similar to, say, playing a fretless instrument like the Violin or the Cello?

[ThomasGrillo]

@maxyliano Thanks for the kind words. :)

On a theremin, the technique I use is more for changing notes quickly enough that on most notes, you won't hear a glis, or slide between notes, unless it's appropriate. I move the arm, and hand to the notes I want if it's a wide intervol, or just the fingers when the notes are near each other.

There are other techniques which are differfent, more ordered or structured in a pattern that assigns hand and finger reach to given notes.

[LordNapalm]

Memorizing .

[ThomasGrillo]

@LordNapalm Thank you. :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@MotaBapu Thank you. Glad you liked it. :)

[konikula]

very good scene. it is but shame, that it has so little public... it would fit to be also with life music, I mean contrasting tape and live concerts slightly

[ThomasGrillo]

@konikula I do intend to have this piece performed live. I just don't have the funds to bring in a real chamber string group just yet. :)

Thank you for the kind words.

[konikula]

@ThomasGrillo Hope it will turn in coming times to better listening of contemporary music... However, have a nice times... mabe it would be possible to make industrial attack, to produce high quality theremins by low price... then such industry could attack classical music threads and establish productive symbioses :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@konikula I think I understand what your translation is saying. Yes, it would be great to see higher quality instruments produced at lower prices, but that's not likely going to happen any time soon. A good theremin takes time to produce, and there's just not as much demand for them as there is for keyboards, and guitars. So, naturally, the production costs for theremins will remain where they are as many of them are hand built by small family owned companies like Moog, Burns, and others. :)

[AlKhwarizmi]

Beautiful! :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@AlKhwarizmi Thank you. :)

[Grobanite122549]

Wow beautiful! I wish it was a vocal song I'd love to sing that :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@Grobanite122549 That's partly why I chose to play the theremin in that range. The piece was inspired by female opera singers I heard when I sang in operfa choruses. :)

Someday I'll figure out some text for it.

[Grobanite122549]

@ThomasGrillo Wow thats amazing! :D id love to know the text if u ever write it!

[ThomasGrillo]

@Grobanite122549 Thank you. If I do, y'all will be the first to know. :)

[randygandy]

Great, I always enjoy your videos and i see you're getting a bit more production quality. MULTIPLE ANGLES!

[ThomasGrillo]

@randygandy Thanks for the kind words. :)

[Domydoor]

Wooo first comment

That was beautiful Thomas

[ThomasGrillo]

@Domydoor Thank you. :)