B3 PRO THEREMIN DEMO AND MINI CONCERT

[Sagitt87]

episch!

[romefox]

You are a brilliant Thereminist, your movements and incredibly minute and precise!

[ThomasGrillo]

@romefox Thanks. :) It's not easy. Glad you enjoyed it. Be sure to check out the other video for Burns' latest version of this instrument. It's B3 Pro Theremin Demo And Mini Concert 2.

[lowew79]

He is obviously well practiced and talented, and, keeping in mind that I think this is a great performance I have to ask; What is he looking at while performing, is the sheet music up on a screen or something?

[ThomasGrillo]

@lowew79 Actually, I was watching a security monitors while a suspicius car went slowly through the neighborhood looking between houses. And then the icecream truck went by, LOL. :)

[RyanStarcraftProtoss]

at 1:43 he was looking at the ice cream truck :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@RyanStarcraftProtoss LOL ;)

[Theoonlineofficial]

Of all the vids i've watched for this project i'm doing, you really do bring out the best of the theremin! nice one!

[ThomasGrillo]

@Theoonlineofficial Thank you. I wish you all the best with your project endeavours. ;)

[YouTheory]

Were can i buy that ???

[ThomasGrillo]

@YouTheory You can get one at sounslikeburns on the web by visiting my channel for a link to Burns. :)

[coachese]

Is the cut at the end because you started crying after the song? I was very moved by your performance.

[ThomasGrillo]

@coachese Thank you. Nah, I just forgot to do my signature closing I usually do after a lecture, demo or lesson, and went back in and added it later. ;)

[gootch420]

when you're playing your facial expressions remind me of jimmy fallon

[ThomasGrillo]

@gootch420 Oh dear...

[sigksigksigk]

beautiful execution!

the sound is more '"dark" of the moog. right?

I would buy this magical instrument.

What are the differences between the moog and theremin Theremin b3?

[ThomasGrillo]

@sigksigksigk Thank you. Main differences are, Moog has knobs for brightness and waveform, brighter brassy tone, removable antennas. The Burns theremins have the darker, string like tone has heard here, have telescoping antennas. The Burns theremins are less expensive, but do not have knobs to control tone. They do have pitch and volume sensitivity knobs.

[sigksigksigk]

@ThomasGrillo thanks!

:)

[ThomasGrillo]

@sigksigksigk You're welcome. :)

[hugab10]

Is it easy to build a Theremin ?

[ThomasGrillo]

@hugab10 Theremins require about the same skill level required to build a simple radio from a kit. The tricky bit is tuning the oscilator circuit so the instrument sings when played.

You can find schematics, and plenty of forum threads related to theremin building in the "theremin construction" threads at thereminworld on the web.

There are sereral kinds of circuits. silicon, transistor, and tube type theremins.

PAiA and Jaycar on the web have kits available. Moog Music has one too. :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@LACOJACO Yes, you do need an amp, or a mixer connected to speakers. Most theremins do. However, there are a few rare exceptions that were built back in the 90s by Bob Moog. Those were the Series 91A, B, and C. There were also a couple of RCA theremins built in the late 20s, early 30s which had a speaker. One was owned by Sam Hoffman.

Recently, Gakken produced a couple of toy battery powered theremins which had tiny speakers built in.

[TheSamSunderland]

2:29

[ThomasGrillo]

@TheSamSunderland LOL :)

[gootch420]

this is pro

[ThomasGrillo]

@gootch420 Indeed. Thanks. :)

[Jazzel93]

Didnt they use this instrument in old sciencefiction movies? :-D

[ThomasGrillo]

@Jazzel93 Back in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, much bulkier viersions of theremins produced by RCA back in the late 20s were used in many science fiction, and spycho-thrillers of the day.

Today, theremins have even been appearing in such productions as the re-imagined, The Day The Earth Stood Still, which back in the 50s also featured theremin. Head over to thereminworld on the web for an extensive list of films which used theremins.

[ChineseAmbassador]

so, you know how you can change the sound of instruments? Can you do that for the theremin too? for example: guitar = distortion and different type of sounds, Piano = keyboard or synthesizer, and so on

[ThomasGrillo]

@ChineseAmbassador Yes. You can run theremins through effects devices that alter the tone to sound like other instruments to some extent. You can also use harmonizing pedals, and in some cases theremins with CV outs can control synthesizers that have CV in. There's a company that makes a CV box that goes to midi as well.

[ChineseAmbassador]

haha, ice cream man

[ThomasGrillo]

@ChineseAmbassador LOL :) Yeh, had to leave that blooper in. :)

[Visualundeath]

The tone of theremin, coupled with your excellent vibrato really tricks me into thinking its an opera singer when I'm not looking.

[ThomasGrillo]

@Visualundeath Thank you for the kind words. :)

[EWrodas]

This is sooo soothing it reminds of my dreamlike childhood. thank you sir.

[ThomasGrillo]

You're welcome, and thanks for the kind words. :)

[BonoLuigi]

this is awesome, thank you

[ThomasGrillo]

You're welcome. :)

[nhand42]

Wonderful control over such a difficult instrument. Beautifully played.

[ThomasGrillo]

Thank you. :)

[FireMouseHQ]

Excellent! From my previous encounters with the theremin, I can say it seems to be extraordinarily difficult to learn how to play one well. You play theremin very well.. Would you say the B3 Deluxe is linear in its play? Equal distance in each octave?

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. :)

The Burns theremins are non-linear, but are still quite playable. The same is true for the moog, and wavefront theremins.

[edwardbastardo]

The ice cream man is outside at the 1:44 minute LOL

[audiowan]

Great Scott! this was really great; indeed. Thanks

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks. :)

[ChordCluster]

Great musicianship!  Thank you for sharing!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thank you. :)

[leojnidnerf]

ur awesome man! thinking about getting a theremine myself :)

what type would you recommend?

[ThomasGrillo]

Thank you. :)

If you just want to test the ethereal waters, you might consider the Burns theremins. They range from about 150 to 350 for multi-antenna theremins, even less for single antenna pitch only theremins. They have a soft tone to them, but no extra controls for tonal charactor.

Next up, are the Moog Music Ehterwave Standard and Plus theremins. They cost between 400 and 520 dollars. They have tonal charactor control.

Check my channel for links and prices.

[hatring]

Ahhh you must be really passionate then

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. And mainly only with the theremin for some reason. :)

[hatring]

Just wondering... but what're you looking at? lol

[ThomasGrillo]

When playing the theremin, I often drift off into a trance-like state, and just stare off into space. :)

[robostomo1]

1:47 - ICECREAAAAAM!!!

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. LOL :)

[bulldog11881]

I saw this on The T.V. show Weeds. I had to figure out what it was. Never seen anything like this before. AWESOME!

[ThomasGrillo]

Cool. I'll have to check out that show. :)

[cordeiropascoal]

Is it the original B3 PRO tone? or is it unique from Thomas' modified theremin?

[ThomasGrillo]

This is the B3 Pro in it's unmodified form. :)

[wooten714]

Play some Skynard man!!

[ThomasGrillo]

Love to, but that's copyrighted.

Thanks for the request. :)

[TerryC65]

Sir, like waldoo21 I've never heard of a theremin up until today, You are indeed a credit to ALL musicians. I am in AWE!!!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. :)

[V19torrent]

amazing instrument. I saw it used first by Nine Inch Nails. I don;t suppose you're into that kinda stuff, but hey, that just shows its diversity. lol

[ThomasGrillo]

Actually, my first exposure to NIN was when I heard them in the musical soundtrack to Quake. :)

[Degu1]

Do you have any videos demonstrating a theremin solo? If not could you make one? I wanna hear you SHRED on that thing

[ThomasGrillo]

There is a very old video of me playing an excerpt from the 9th symphony, (going home song), where I just played without any accompaniment, but it was done when I only had less than a year on instrument. I'm planning on doing a short video featuring a Burns handheld theremin, as well as one of their latest B3 Pros, in which I will be unaccompanied in some of the video. :)

[ThomasGrillo]

Oh, I forgot to mention the JHS Mods Synth Drive pedal demo I did a while back. I used an Etherwave Pro theremin run through it, and all of that was totally unaccompanied too. :)

[waldooo21]

Sir, you are amazing at what you do. I've never heard of a theremin up until today and i'm flabbergasted (in a good way of course).

[ThomasGrillo]

Thank you. It's allways great to hear of someone learning something new that they didn't know before. Thanks for the kind words. :)

[roganthis72]

I can finally die, I know what they used for the star trek starting theme now. Such a Beutiful sound

[ThomasGrillo]

No! Wait! Stop! You can't die yet! They did NOT use the theremin in Star Trek. They used a female vocalist, and flute. :)

[roganthis72]

Well dang, Then that lady has got some amazing pipes

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. :)

[12al34]

Damn, I thought there was an ice cream truck passing my house, around 9 pm in the dead of October.

[ThomasGrillo]

Yep. It was one thing after another, take after retake. from police cars, to helicopters, to dogs barking, heck. This was the least of the troublesome takes. LOL :)

[ProfetaParanoia]

MrGrillo, I'm looking for a lineal scale theremin, any recommendations?

[ThomasGrillo]

The most linear theremin to date was the Etherwave Pro, which is unfortunately, nolonger produced. You'll need to check ebay from time to time for it's availability, but it's not at all cheap.

Currently, the next most linear are The Wavefront Travel Case theremin, and Classic Style at theremin . ws. They're not linear, but they're good. theremin . ws.

B3 Deluxe, and Pro at soundlikeburns . com are also good, but entry level.

Etherwave Standard is also good.

moogmusic . com

[clarxn]

The "guy," Mr. Grillo, is reading sheet music up there. It's not like he's off in the ether, although he may be that too, but that's where he's reading the music.

[ThomasGrillo]

Actually, I was playing from memory. I don't see well enough to read sheet music on the fly at tempo. Soooo, :)

[sisso3]

sound's excelent

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks. :)

[Kingfillins]

Thank you for this great video.

You are a master.

Amazing!

[ThomasGrillo]

You're welcome, and thanks for the kind words. :)

[ClintTron]

look at his eyes when he plays. it's like he's a million miles away. I want to be there.

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. :)

[InDyingDayz]

I WANT ONE! :)

[ThomasGrillo]

You can find them at soundslikeburns . com. Tell them I sent you. :)

[LinkBulletBill]

You ever thought of using that mute button as an extra, instead of just thinking about it as a mute button.... Meaning move your hand away from the volume bar (the direction close enough to press the button), then press the button repeatedly making *beep* noises, well try to think of it musically... And use it in songs, like the music inclines and stops, but instead of throwing your hand back fast to the volume bar thus hearing it go down, just press the volume button... Is this a good idea? ;)

[ThomasGrillo]

Yes. I've actually tried that when I first got this model.

Because the touch plate switch is metal, the pitch goes up slightly due to the increased capacitence, like touching a piece of nearby metal. The tone doesn't actually mute util you take your finger off the plate.

Other thereminists have tried using a foot pedal to cot audio on, and off rappidly for staccatos, but the result was a robotic, on/off affair with no organic feeling at all.

Makes a cool sonar sound though. :)

[LinkBulletBill]

Aka a Killswitch... Well the muting thing you but... It's called a Killswitch, I think you could guess why, because it kills the volume.... This technique is used most specially on guitar... And a lot of amazing things can be done with it musically. I was just seeing if it was the same for a Theremin... What other special effects can you do with the Theremin naturally...?

[ThomasGrillo]

You can do all sorts of cool sounds with theremins.

[apocaRUFF]

Would it be possible for you to make a video demonstrating some of the cool sounds you can make with the Theremin?

[ThomasGrillo]

Yes. I've been considering doing such a video for a while. :)

[apocaRUFF]

Awesome :)

[cineural]

thank you for sharing this exellent performance !

[ThomasGrillo]

You're welcome. :)

[acroboyargentina]

I want a theremin so badly

[ThomasGrillo]

You can get one at soundslikeburns . com. Tell them I sent you. :)

You can also get theremins from moogmusic . com. :)

[thisisfatandugly]

OMG, just added your video to my favourits. Keep on doin your thing, this is just great.

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. :)

[Arthur60]

Very nice demo. You've got so much talent playing Theremin! It's a pity you have to record near a street where cars are passing by.

Wish you had a recording studio someday.

[ThomasGrillo]

I've allways had that capability, but I had requests from some viewers to hear the theremin via open mic, instead of through the studio mixer.

As for the talking bits, my lapel mic was out of commission, so that had to be done open mic as well.

All other in-studio vids are being done via the mixer, and plans are in work to build a sound-proof studio. ;)

[ZRedPoppy]

This music is so beautiful. It makes me shiver and my eyes water. It's haunting and you play it so well. I'm at a loss of words right now, I'm deeply moved =)

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. :)

[Musicabezo]

You are sure you are not singing on this video???? I could think that it is a joke. Please, clear it by words

[ThomasGrillo]

That is a major compliment in my book. ;)

Thanks. :)

It really is the theremin making the sounds, but my playing technique also helps it sound more human with vibrato.

[Bowoglo]

Him again!!

[AznSeaW33D]

I wnated to ask..How do u play the Theremin..I wanted to play another instrument and found this

[conor1993yeah]

I loved it my friend! indeed i did. ;)

im a beginner thereminist myself, and i was wondering how, how often do you practice and when did you start playing!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words.

I practice anywhere from 6 to 8, or more hours per day, every day.

I started playing the theremin in July of 2006.

[marchesegomorra]

Magnifico!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thank you. ;)

[jeffakoi]

that's beautiful...

[Avidity]

I love the haunting melody of this instrument. Had I the money, I'd buy one in a heart beat!

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed, it is a haunting sound. Soundslikeburns . com has the B3 Pro for $350, The B3 Deluxe for $200, and and the original B3 for $152.

[sirixxxx]

very strange

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. ;)

[csogoreny]

unbelievable

[nuzuk]

How hard is it to pick up and learn, i am really enchanted by the instrument. It has the most strangely beautiful yet haunting tones at least to me. Would some one with little musical experience be able to pick it up?

[ThomasGrillo]

Theremins are quite light, so they're relatively easy to pick up. ;) Sorry, couldn't resist. ;)

Seriousely, the theremin is the most difficult instrument in the world to play "well". However, with devotion, effort, and a good ear, even people with limited experience in music can learn the theremin.

It's not like walking up to a piano, and plinking out your first scale. It takes nearly a week to learn a simple scale, at least a month to learn a simple tune, years to master. But it's fun! ;)

[Siddharta93]

I think I've seen this video ten times XD awsome!!!!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thank you. ;)

[albero68]

Liszt? Are you sure? Peraphs is Schubert's Serenade "Standchen"...

[ThomasGrillo]

Ah, nice to see someone's up on their music appreciation. ;)

Correct. Schubert did write Standchen, which is why that name is in my tags (hint). However, He enlisted the assistance of Liszt for this piece. ;)

[edohalo]

I would know the name of the listz composition...tks

[ThomasGrillo]

The piece I played is Leise Flehen Mien Lieder.

[acordeon70]

beatifull played thomas!!!

[DMEB]

your an amazing musician!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. ;)

[b03y]

man why haven't i heard of these before! awesome stuff.

[fobulousfl1p]

i've tried playing a theremin for the first time in the flea market the other day... and... it's not as easy as you make it look! keep up the awesome work!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thank you for the kind words. ;)

[legomaster321]

Nice music, it's a really cool instrument and i wouldn't mind having one. keep up the good work.

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. I shall indeed. ;)

[jonaibjes]

Beautifull peace of art, congretulations, you made me by a theremin, i hpe i will play something!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. I wish you luck with your theremin.

[sims2cutie]

Is that entirely just the theremin?? Or is there some piano in the background.

[ThomasGrillo]

There is indeed a piano accompaniment track in the background.

[Pabs102]

i love theremins

[RoflolomgXD]

I noticed there seems to be a major sound difference between the videos where you play this and the one where you use the burns deluxe. Is that a recording issue? Or is the sound that different?

[ThomasGrillo]

In this particular video, I my mixer was down, and I had to record via an open mic, which did not do this instrument justice. The Other B3 videos truely represent the tonal charactor of the instrument.

[ceruleantwilight]

Love how this guy is completely spacing off when he plays the theremin haha, it's great

[gabberjammer]

Oh my goodness, did you know that that song is like, the theme for Dink Smallwood?

[ThomasGrillo]

I didn't know that. Thanks.

[ceruleantwilight]

Haha!!! Dink Smallwood rules!!!!! He should be a cult icon! Best game ever!

[RoflolomgXD]

It seems to me that there is a difference in the quality of sound that the pro gives in comparison to the deluxe. Is that true?

[ThomasGrillo]

Actually, this video was done open mic due to technical problems with my mixer at the time. I normally do line level recording, which gives much better quality sound to both theremins.

[RoflolomgXD]

Mr. Grillo, what kind of theremin would you suggest for a beginner?

[ThomasGrillo]

I like the B3 Deluxe, or B3 Pro as starter theremins, because they don't have a lot of features to distract the student.

The Etherwave Standard is another good starter theremin. It has controls for waveform, and brightness control of the tonal charactor, but here, one can get distracted a bit from learning technique.

[ThomasGrillo]

You are indeed correct. ;)

[EvilSkelter]

wow......

[DJEgin]

amazing instrument

[Anamatonamaton]

Beautiful, thank you for putting this up!

[guisarius]

Nein, du kannst nicht es so aussprechen!

[meandor]

lol,

lern erstmal richtig deutsch guisarius, bevor du jemanden versuchst zu kritisieren

[guisarius]

Interesting... comunque sto tipo c'ha la faccia da psicopatico...

[b3darko]

LOL at about 1 40 you can here the ice cream man thats great and the face he makes is great to LOL

[Assyrianpianist]

oh my god, that frantz liszt piece was so beautiful. I'm so glad that you can do this. Your theremin almost sounds like a femal singer. Amazing.

[aperfectfailyour]

I wonder also if u could make like a grid on the wall behind the instrument and mark where the notes are to help learn where things are.

[ThomasGrillo]

I've considered something along those lines, and perhaps when I do the commercially done version of theremin lessons on DVD, I may do this. Keep in mine, however, that every player's capacitence is different, and even changes in weather, and surroundings can affect where the notes live in space.

The wood grid behind me in my recent vids is a great way to see the relative movements of the hands, and arms better than in my older vids. This doesn't show note locations, but should help a bit.

[aperfectfailyour]

Thomas this is amazing, I have watched all of your videos and this is truely an instrument of the future, i hopeing to purchase one and watch your tutorials and master this instrument. Please keep posting! U do great work!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. Stay tuned. ;)

[lilmark816]

Where or how do you order or buy one of these?

[ThomasGrillo]

Soundslikeburns on the web. Also at e-bay. They also carry the B3 deluxe, and original B3.

[lilmark816]

Ok thanks TG

[KyletheKranz]

Seriously, I was very impressed and want to get a theremin. Do you play any other insturments?

[ThomasGrillo]

Allthough I have a flute, violin, electric, and accoustic guitars, and keyboards, I very rarely play them. I've found the theremin to be much more rewarding as an expressive instrument for me. The dynamics capability of a theremin, and it's ability to reflect your emotions is just phenominal considering it's an instrument that was invented nearly 90 years ago.

[smallgreenkid]

thomas grillo your a true hero

[tom3214565]

i like ur vids there cool

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks. I have to play strictly by ear. Learning the works by listenning, and playing along til I memorize them. I can't see well enough to sight-read sheetmusic.

[ThomasGrillo]

It's ok to ask me directly about my eye condition. I'm legally blind, and my eyes don't center up on given targets as only one eye works. The muscles in that are responsible for eye tracking also do not hold the eyes fixed properly, causing jittery motions of the eyes.

[MudMast]

bravo.

its like the grand piano of the Theremins.

[peterooster]

heard an icecream truck hahahah[[

[redangelleo]

absoluetely beautifully done !!!

bravo

[ASTROAVERY]

hahaha you can here a ice cream truck

what are you looking at? half of the time it looks like your reading

[ThomasGrillo]

LOL, The icecream truck was the lesser of several evils that day. ;)

Being legally blind, my gaze tends to wander a bit, and when I play the theremin, I just sort of go off into "the zone". Someone once asked if I had the notes on the cieling. lol. I'm trying to watch that in future vids. ;)

[ASTROAVERY]

Oh haha, your theremin playing is very nice none the less.

[ndydck]

unbelievable. this instrument should get more popular. too bad I don't have the patience to learn to play instruments.

[ThomasGrillo]

The nice thing about theremins, is you can just put a theremin in your office, or anywhere at home, and just enjoy it as an effects toy when ever you like, and learn at your own pace.

[kyllingfot]

this made my neighbours dog howl along with the music.

for real

thanks!

[ThomasGrillo]

I'm working on the facial expressions, and stage presense. But, I'm legally blind, and don't see other people's facial expressions, so I never really learned how to express them in music. Also, theremins are so difficult to play "well" a lot of our energy is allocated to intonation, balance, accuracy, posture, arm, hand, and finger movements, listening, ect. Unlike conventional instruments, one wrong move, can mean the difference between playing in tune, and playing way out of tune.