Added: 3 years ago
From: ThomasGrillo
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  • Mind = blown

  • ive never heard of this instrument until now and its beautiful!

  • @JimWillPwnYou Thank you. :)

  • thank you sir, you just have just blessed me with such wonderful music

  • @mwaseem6 You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

  • Wow... Virtuosity with heart!

  • @noiceworld Thanks for the kind words. :)

  • Wow! Absolutely incredible! Your hard work has really paid off. I had to download this video and add it to my collection. Thank you so much for loving your art, it is obvious you do! Just incredible! I am so happy I stumbled up you. :)

  • @seanryan00 Thank you for the kind words. :)

  • Wow! I really enjoyed this! Wonderful musicial interpretations!

  • @erikleiken Hi, thanks for the kind words. :)

  • Wow, that is pretty cool. I wonder how long it took to master the Theremin O_O. Sounds great, I can't help thinking Sci-fi when I hear it.

  • @XTheHopelessXx It takes years to really get it to sound really good, but I put many hours per day into it in the first couple of years. Still do, actually. Yeh, the theremin can evoke tons of sci-fi-ish feelings, although I try to steer clear of that for the most part. I prefer to play music with it mostly. A little effects work is fine though. ;)

  • it looks a little bit like you are conducting while standing in front of an ironing board ;o) ...

    but it sounds phantastic and you gave a great performance.

  • @MrArgus97 Thanks. I have another theremin that others have reported looks like a grill because it's gray, has a lid, (it's the suitcase theremin), and I put it on a projector table who's legs give it that grill look. ;)

  • 20:42 Moonlight Sonata is amazing

  • @Tycon Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

  • Am i missing something? Is this guy just HUMMING? I'm NOT sticking around long enough to find out if he does anything else

  • @wendylynae777 That's too bad LOL! :). No, I'm really playing an electronic instrument that is played without having to be touched called a theremin.

  • soooooooooo nice

  • He would be a huge star in the Star Trek universe aboard the original Enterprise!!

  • @romefox LOL :)

  • I Now have the uncontrollable urge to learn this instrument :)

    My neighbours are probably getting bored of my usual ones xD

    Moonlight sonata was particularly Beautiful In my opinion :)

  • @Rakatan6666 Thanks. I wish you all the best with the theremin. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo is it expensive, or hard to find? i think that i must lose all hope to find it in a interior city in brazil...

  • @brunomartin618 The cost depends on the model of theremin. Most theremin manufacturers will ship internationally. Check my channel for a list of links to theremin manufacturer sites.

  • As soon as the video ended I gave you a round of applause. That was beautiful!

  • @John997010735 Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video. Be sure and check out my more recent videos too. :)

  • Hey! Got it today! Where is the correct position for the pitch control knob on this theremin? Where do you put it?

  • @MrMascara101 Congratulations! :) Make sure theremin is at least 3 feet from metal objects, computers, CFL lamps, ect. Do not place on floor. Best used on stand. Stand so your shoulder is about 18 inches from pitch rod. Start with pitch knob at 12:00, and adjust left or right until you get zero beat when hand or botdy is about 18 to 24 inches from pitch rod. Pitch knob's position for desired 0-beat will varry depending on conditions. Turn left to expand field, right to shrink field.

  • @ThomasGrillo Thank You very much!

  • @MrMascara101 You're welcome. :)

  • Many thanks for showing me what is possible with the B3. I received mine with your DVD on Thursday and have been practiceing over the weekend & I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Please keep the beautiful uploads to give me inspiration.

  • @Pumpkineater62 Thank you. I'm glad to hear you got your theremin and dvd. :)

    I certainly will continue uploading.

    Do let me know if I can be of assistance. :)

  • I have just bought the exact same instrument! And I can't wait to get it. Are they awesome to play?

  • @MrMascara101 Congratulations on your theremin. Yes, they can be awesome to play once you've learned how to play it. :)

  • you are a master of the Theremin, respect

  • @muzik4machines Thank you. ;)

  • I need to play one of these things

  • @robs70986987 I certainly hope you get that chance. To help you along, head to my channel, and web site where you'll find links to theremin manufacturers. :)

  • That is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen! Fantastic!

  • @newfization Thank you. :)

  • You have just given me appreciation of the theremin as a serious musical instrument. Bravo!

    Is that anywhere near as difficult as it looks?

  • @ArisztidZ Thank you. It's even MORE difficult than it looks, actually. ;)

  • This defies description- as to the nature of the instrument's "voice". I know there is an organ stop called "Vox Humana:" but it is nowhere close to its name. This I would define as "Vox Humana", in the best sense. Without hearing breathing intervals I am left no other description. From watching your right hand (pitch) as you change notes I am led to think of playing a stringed instrument, and the positions of the neck. Vibrato seems to coincide with stopping the strings, so here as well.

  • @dieselheart001 Thank you for the observation. Interestingly, the theremin was also known as "theremin vox" because of how it resembled a voice when played properly. :)

  • EPIC WIN

  • Just fantastic! Thank you for this video!!

  • @ColabyWoW You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

  • amazing, i'm buying a theremin now.

  • @basalisk335 Awesome! I wish you all the best with the theremin. :)

  • Wow congratulations, it's so hard play the theremin, beautiful work friend!

  • @bonetmax Thank you. It really is a difficult instrument, but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

  • Mr. Thomas Grillo. Thank you, that I could watch and listen to your wonderful video. Greetings from Poland.

  • @PiotrKrupski Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. :)

  • So boss!

  • How can you be without blinking for SO long?

  • @ManuelRochaCR You know how windows sets priorities on programs accessing the CPU? Yeh, it's like that. It's a multitasking priority thing. Blinking just goes right to the end of the list of priorities when playing the theremin. ;)

  • What stand do you use for your B3?

    I have a B3 and I'm not quite sure which stand would be best.

    I also don't want to spend too much money.

  • @AlvinGordian I use any stand that features a removable microphone star washer from it's threaded mount. That way, the theremin just slips all the way on to the stand. If it does not have the remvable washer, don't use that model of stand. Also, in Europe, mic stands use a different standard for threaded mounts. You can get round that with some gaffer's or duct dape.

  • @ThomasGrillo Thanks for the advice!

  • @AlvinGordian You're welcome. :)

  • Hi Mr. Grillo! Much thanks to you, I ordered a Burns B3 and it arrived today! Thanks for all you've done and continue to do! God bless!

  • @thehackedface You're welcome, and ongratulations on the arrival of your B3. Do let me know if I can be of assistance. ;)

  • Freaking awesome!

  • You're not blinking.

  • @kaczan3 LOL. Yeh, I get that a lot. Only happens when playing the theremin. ;)

  • Love how you played Barcarolle

  • @TheJanky96 Thank you. :)

  • Are there notes for this stuff? I dont get how its done.

  • @theDman911 Each person is unique, and because of that, the field around the theremin will also be different from one person to the next. Environmental conditions also make each playing session unique. Therefore, it's impossible to say "C is so many inches out from the pitch rod, or A, ect". Therefore, each player mus develop their own adaptiv technique, and method of playing. We use music for voice, or stringed instruments to play.

  • You are a master Sir. Your vibrato, intomation and control is masterful. Bravo!

  • @TStudiosFilms Thank you for the kind words. Be sure to check out my more recent videos. ;)

  • @ThomasGrillo You are welcome Thomas, I will, and if you have a chance take a look at my Thriller series Invocation :-)

  • @TStudiosFilms Will do! ;)

  • Maybe you can do some rock Ballad Cover on this thing. that would be great.. no one did this yet. You sir can be first :D

  • @xXSadgasmXx Actually, they have in the past, but their videos were pulled by the copyright holders. :(

  • @xXSadgasmXx Oh, there is still one that I know of that's not been pulled yet, and that's youtube user ooo6 who did a cover to Crazy. ;)

  • YEAH! POKER FACE!

  • @xXSadgasmXx LOL. worin' on that. Check the latest vids. ;)

  • @xXSadgasmXx Yeh, LOL, Workin' on that. Check the latest vids. ;)

  • You're the master!

  • @thehackedface Thank you. :)

  • beautiful !

  • @hinkemiki Thank you. :)

  • Look at this face,Thomas Grillo must be the next US president (seriously)

  • Funny is that his last name is Grillo, that in spanish means cricket. LOL

  • @marracute Actually, Grillo, in Italian, translates to cricket, and in Spannish, translates to grasshopper. ;)

  • @ThomasGrillo My native language is spanish. Grillo = cricket. Grasshopper are known as saltamones, or langostas.

    BTW; you play the theremin very good. Keep with the good work ;)

  • @marracute Ah, thanks for the kind words, and the correction. ;)

  • @marracute we call grasshoppers "chapulines" here in México. langostas are lobsters. and yeah grillos are crickets.

  • coughDEXTERcough

  • @masadavt LOL ;)

  • @ThomasGrillo

    You are a good sport my man!

    Not to mention extremely talented. Just please stop peering into my soul and judging me like that.

  • @masadavt LOL Thanks, I'll see what I can do about that. LOL ;)

  • Merci, avant j'écoutais metal musique, maintenant, j'adore le theremin. Vraiment amazing. I love this music.

  • @TheWeabz Thank you. Merci. ;)

  • You must have very strong arms to exhibit such constant control over them for long periods of time.

  • @Rakkeyal Thank you. ;)

  • Comment removed

  • @TheOyrm Thank you for the kind words. It took me about 3 years to get to the level of proficiancy seen here, and another couple of years to get to what you see in my more recent videos, such as Valse Sentimentale. :)

    Keep in mind, that's with 8 to 10 hour a day sessions for learning the instrument, and the music.

    I now practice about 6 hours a day. ;)

  • Truly masterful. Bravo, Thomas.

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

  • This is very nice. First time i see such an instrument. And I really wish to have it.

    If I may ask, Are you using a board in front of you specifying the distances to use to be on the correct notes? Or is it easy to figure it out for me? (i'm a piano player, and I dabble a little guitar)

    Thanks.

    Aram

  • @AramAzhari Thanks for the comment. :)

    There's no visual or tactile reference device of any kind for the theremin. They won't help any thereminist as the theremin works by using our capacitence to control beat frequency oscilators with. Each person's capacitence is so different, that each person would need a custom reference, all things being equal. But their not, and even room temperature changes affect the fields. It's not easy, but prior experience will help starters. I play by ear. ;)

  • @ThomasGrillo Wow. So this means it is fully analog which sounds the best a synthesizer could get. I love the fact that the body conductance can control the sound, and being different for each person just blows out my mind and creates a completely unique feel of the instrument.

    I also prefer playing by ear in all instruments I have tried.

    I hope to get one, I'll visit your website for more.

    Thanks for the quick reply.

  • @AramAzhari You're more than welcome. Do let me know if I can be of further assistance. ;)

  • This is simply beautiful...

  • @WithTheDmeister Thank you. :)

    

  • GO Thomas you are great!! You are a real artist!

  • @murnau84 Thank you for the kind words. :)

  • This is imressive... you are answering each question or comment someone uploades. Congratulations... i'm hearing this video every time i fell sad and then... I'm happy again... amazing i would like start theremin lessons but in my country...(Greece)

  • @sarcounaek Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad to hear my performances help lift you up. :)

    I do offer lessons via skype, and I produce a dvd. I wish you all the best with your theremin endeavours.

  • beautiful

  • @DjFjorgyn Thank you. :)

  • Thomas, you are just great in theremin.Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills. Its soothing numbers you performed for youtube viewers.

  • @anilnallan Thank you for the kind words. :)

  • You don't blink....

  • @ryder187mac You don't say... ;)

  • Just stopped in again to give a listen. Love it.

    Ray

  • @rayunseitig Thanks. Glad you're enjoying the music. Don't forget to check out my newer videos. ;)

  • You are master of theremin, well done! :)

  • @Miloseus92 Thank you. :)

  • nice, thanks for the tip. well played

  • @Fablus22 Glad you enjoyed it. :)

  • Hi, Mr. Grillo,

    I bought the Burns B3 deluxe as well, now its on its way from America to Europe.. I'd just like to know, how many watts are written on it? I want to make sure I buy the right power converter.

    Oh, and I really like the Ave Maria, that piece is beautiful :]

    best regards

    - MT

  • @Mind3ck Hello, and congratulations on your B3 Deluxe. The one I have is an early model of the Deluxe, one of the first releases, so my power supply is a little different than the model you have. Dan Burns made a slight modification to the newer releases which requires a specific type of power, and polarity. Please contact Dan, so he can give you the specific power adaptor specifications. Otherwise, if you use the wrong type (even at the correct wattage / voltage), it can burn out a diode.

  • @ThomasGrillo Thank you very much. That would be a very pitty if I burn out it :/ thanks for your warning once again..

  • @Mind3ck You are welcome. :)

  • whats is the first pice of music? i have heard it before but it sounds wonderful on the theremin

  • @turbocut The first piece is Schubert's Ave Maria. Thanks for the kind words. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo NO no, thank you for the wonderful music

  • @turbocut You're more than welcome. :)

  • Mr. Grillo, I have been watching your videos for a few years now and I always show people whenever I get chance. You are a phenomenal player and show what beautiful can be made with ANY instrument let alone such an underrated or unknown instrument. That is clearly no disrespect intended. Its a fabulous craft and I respect it wholeheartedly. Thank you for still making wonderful music.

  • @tachycardia563 Thank you for the kind words. The theremin really is underrated, and indeed, is still unknown to a vast majority of the world. It is the hope of all those who play the theremin from a serious musical standpoint that our work will eventually make the theremin as familiar as a guitar, or piano.

    Thanks for watching, and stay tuned. :)

  • Hi, I was wondering what the music was at 27.40? My compliments for this fine compilation of tunes played so well on the Theremin. No doubt you have played on Moog's Etherwave? I was wondering if there was any real difference in sound and the way it played?

  • @cfisher132001 That was Chopin's Prelude 15.

    The difference in tone between the moog and B3 Deluxe are, that the Burns B3 theremins sound string like in the lower notes, and nearly female voice like in the higher notes. The Etherwave Standards have a brassy tone, but also have controls the Burns theremins currently don't, which allow the tone to be changed from brassy to a more subdued tone, or even slightly wood-wind-ish.

    Playability between the 2 are close.

    Thanks for the kind words

  • @ThomasGrillo

    So if I was going to buy one, then it'd be better to go for the Moog as it has a bit more flexability, but the Burns would be somewhat less costly (then again, you do pay for quality).

  • @cfisher132001 It really comes down to which tonal charactor you want for the kind of music you're playing. The Moogs are rugged, and great for knocking about on road gigs, while the Burns theremins are excelent studio and practice theremins for beginers. (even though I do use my b3s professionally at times) :).

  • I'm sure when you played all this concert your hands were so tired...!!! I'm so unhappy that this instrument is not so famous...It is just wonderful.

  • @sarcounaek Thank you for the kind words. It's viewers like you who will hopefuly help to spread the word of this wondoerful instrument as well as thereminists around the world. :)

  • swelltacular

  • Simply wondrous. I think this might have become one of my "now watch this..." videos.

  • @drurowin Thank you. :)

  • This is amazing. Wonderful touch.

  • @toekick1 Thank you for the kind words. :)

  • Wow. I can see you put much time, effort, and emotion into your work. Much respect Mr. Grillo. Keep on making music

  • @MattFabSmile Thank you. Will do. ;)

  • Until now I didn't really think you could master this instrument like this. Amazing.

  • @AthaDick Thank you for the kind words. :)

  • Beautiful, simply marvelous. I propose that you make an album, Mr. Grillo. This is absolutely astounding; it's downright brilliant. :)

  • @DCArtWorks Thank you for the kind words. :)

    Actually, I do have a CD that's available at my web site's shop section. Just head to my channel, and click on the album, Theremin Classics in the album box, and it'll take you to my site.

  • @ThomasGrillo Well then, I must support the fine arts and purchase it. :)

    Thank you, Mr. Grillo, please don't stop the music.

  • @DCArtWorks You're welcome. I shall indeed continue my work with the theremin. :)

  • well i got a theremin yesterday and i cant figure out how to even tune the thing LOL... the fact that anyone can make music with it is amazing to me

  • @twphilosopher Congrats on the theremin. :)

    To tune, use the pitch knob (the right knob) to widen, or shrink the pitch field. Turn the knob counter clockwise to widen, and clockwise to shrink. Expand the field so the edge where sound gives way to silence (zero beat) sits about where the volume antenna is. If it's a B3 Original, you can go a little wider than the cabinet size.

    It will take days to learn a scale without formal lessons. But stick with it. If you have a good ear, you'll get it

  • does the burns b3 deluxe have linear field?

  • @Mind3ck Although the Burns B3 series of theremins have improved greatly over the last few years, the're still non-linear. The same goes for the Moog Etherwave Standard. However, they are quite playable.

  • i'ts like magic you cannot ignore this music and this instrument. It's like a voice(very good voice)singing beautiful... what can i say.....

  • @sarcounaek Thank you. :)

  • @Imlikenlichen Ok, that's going on a bumper sticker, or t-shirt. LOL :)

  • bravo!

  • @deathknight228 Thank you. :)

  • I like your bowtie.

  • @FlareHunter76 Thank you. :)

  • Srry for my bad english

    I always loved this song. You and your theremin make me close my eyes and listen this wonderfull music

    It look like opera and thats why its fantastic

  • @xGSickness Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoy the sound of the theremin. :)

  • sounds like humming! really nice good job

  • @ThePurcy Thank you. :)

  • I have been playing violin for 7 years, and I find it humorous that when an experienced Thereminist plays, they stand still and look focussed, however an experienced violinist plays and moves with their bow arm. It seems like the more into it you get, the stiller you are, and the more into it I am, the crazier I get! haha!

    You sound very lovely. Thank you for the preformance!

  • @CadenceButterfly Thanks for the kind words. :)

    Theremins respond to every movement of our bodies, as well as our hands. Even our breathing can impact the theremin's pitch. Thererfore, we must remain relatively still. However, over time, as you'll see in my later vids, I have learned to move my body along with my hand to allow better access to notes. But I often continue to remain still. People have mistaken me for an animatronic display. :)

  • @ThomasGrillo

    I have just recently discovered Theremins, and I find the I really enjoy their sound. They almost sound like synthesized strings, and it sounds very pleasing to the ears. So when I searched for some videos of them, I stumbled upon you. I've watched a few tutorials and I must say, they look fun to play! Although, I'd have issues with the stillness because of ADD, so I feel as if the instrument would be incredibly difficult for me. So I give you kudos!

  • @CadenceButterfly Thanks for the kudos. :)

    Actually, there is a way to play using a method that Peter Pringle aka youtube user, copperleaves uses in which he moves his whole body to and from the antenna as well as his hands. But I can certainly understand the ADD thing. :)

  • His face never freaking moves.

  • @bducky21 Indeed. That's mostly due to the level of complexity involving the playing of the theremin. Stuff like facial expressions, blinking, even breathing all become lower levels of priority in the multitasking department. This is most observed in thereminists with only a couple of years of experience as in this case. This vid was shot over 2 years ago, and I only had a bit more than two years experience back then. I've made considerable improvements since then, though still a wee Vulkan-ish.

  • I recently bought a B3 theremin from the USA and had it shipped here to Australia only to find that there is no one in my city who teaches it or sells instructional books or dvds. After speaking with the man who made my theremin, he suggested I check out your youtube channel. And I must express just how thankful I am that you have taken the time to make there videos. Without them I’d probably still be making squealing alien like noises on it. :D

  • @SexyGamerChick1 Welcome to the world of the theremin. I teach via skype, and there's a DVD that I produced which teaches basics of theremin playing. You can also downlad a free online PDF book at Victor Estrada's web site. Carolina Eyck has a book you can buy. Peter Pringle also has an intro DVD that deals with the history, and a few basics of playing. All of these can be found at thereminworld in their "Learn To Play" section with links to the above.

  • In my modest opinion: less and more carefully chosen vibration would make it even better.

    Interesting lessons!