Vocalise - Randy George, theremin

[kewpie3kewpie3]

Theremin - Vocalise is good and funny.

I've create Vocalise music box version.

If you like, please watch it, too.

[ScrollingMusic]

This is amazing - absolutely the most hauntingly beautiful theremin performance I have ever heard!

[Irion]

OMFG, i knew about vst synths theremins, and i never liked them.

But, i didn't know there were real theremins. And i'm shocked, wtf is this, man? No strings? I'm really impressed :O

Good song by the way.

[Settaist]

I do not understand how this thing works... Someone care to tell me exactly how this alien instrument wikipedia cannot tell me about works? In small words, please...

[JosephMesh]

@Settaist Your hands actually interrupt the waves the antennae feed back to themselves, and it picks up this wave pattern, and when processed through the circuitry, it produces data which it feeds to a speaker/recording device.

Interesting to note is the age of this technology. This was actually the first major electronic instrument, produced by Leon Theremin in 1928. It was intended to be another instrument on which to play classical music. Theremin himself was really well before his time.

[splashflow]

Crazy music sorcery! Very glad I decided to sit all the way through that - brilliant rendition!

[SlowlyTheWorldTurns]

This is interesting :)

[jiffrey32]

i've never seen someone play the theremin so well :O

[TheCaterozza]

it seems like looking an hand singing! Wonderful.

[VonAlphaBisZulu]

amazing perciseness compared to other people playing theremin

[karateman1988]

@MrMeepbob you can sarcasm too!

[karateman1988]

gay all he's doing is moving his hands. we can all see that there's no instrument you phony! learn to edit the piano into the video before you upload it!

[MrMeepbob]

@karateman1988 stfu asshole, if you dont appreciate dont comment, and dont be jealous because this guy has amazing talent that you dont

[keetner]

@karateman1988

"All he's doing is moving his hands."

In case you haven't noticed, that is something sorta required by any instrument that's being played...

No instrument? Please do everyone a favour and look up "theremin".

[karateman1988]

@keetner i know what a theremin is. I was being sarcastic, and I've replied to a comment saying the exact SAME FUCKING THING! the theremin has brutally steep learning curve and this man is a master i get that. learn humor.

[keetner]

@karateman1988

You seriously need to brush up on your definition of what "sarcasm" is then. Causing calling someone gay and a phony....Yeah. Real sarcasm there, buddy.

[xalener]

@keetner

"fake and gay" followed by a bullshit reason is actually a meme. He was being sarcastic.

[karateman1988]

@xalener thank you.

[halouser248]

WHOA! Awesome job O_o Do you have it hooked up to something though or is it just the original kind. I wanna buy one. can u tell me where to look? pleasse? do u use an amp?

[halouser248]

WHOA! Awesome job O_o Do you have it hooked up to something though or is it just the original kind. I wanna buy one. can u tell me where to look? pleasse?

[CheeseTimeTravel]

does it have a string? O.o

[ceereelelorrules1]

It's Just Beautiful in every way wonderful intrument devil's music or not

[HonestMan395]

The theremin is the perfect instument for such an emotional piece of music.

[wkatz0]

Beautiful rendition of Ave Maria.

I have new respect for the theramin.

[rieriebiy]

omfg that white pixel in the video IT'S KILLING MEEEEE PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

[esky15]

@rieriebiy Dammit, if I hadn't read your comment, then I probably wouldn't have seen it, now it is annoying me! haha

[annakratos]

That was absolutely beautiful. Now I need one!

[dragonkingeroony]

how did this guy not get famous yet? he should play concerts and everything!

[gwaur]

Dangit. It's so hard to find decent theremin performances of Vocalise, but this one is superb.

[mdemedina]

i can't understand how this works :S

[YoshiLover122]

Winter winds...

Soft as moonlight on new fallen snow...

Softly blow as I go..

In this clear and peacefull night...

I love that song! :D

[solidsnakeotaku]

So beautiful and ethereal... I had chills throughout the whole piece!

[butterb911]

For some reason, it reminds me of swan lake in the beginning. Like.. the 1980s one or whatever.

[TheChromiumDude]

Sounds like an opera woman singing.

[SuperPowerZexur]

WOW! That is Good Music On A Odd Instrument! How do you get that so good? A masterpiece! `A blasted masterpiece! A blasterpiece!` (from zelda spirit tracks just in the beginning)

[aidavdbrake]

you're good!! very musical!!! love the trills!!! :D

[theFoffo90]

Incredible

[Yavor54]

Well Well Well... Thank you Randy for showing how beautiful the Theremin can be.

Indeed , you are actually better than Clara. As a life-long Rachmaninov fan and theremin player, I can find virtually no fault in your rendition... very well done! You give me a new bar to excel to. Thank you

[PlzHelpwithname]

wtf instrument its that??? its fricken cool!!!

[lennic95]

@PlzHelpwithname It's a theremin. (read the description)

[doxxy1]

yhea i agree with johndcorr ur really good at this

[MarkusAndersen342]

Are you playing on air? cause it looks like so..

[TheRovingRichard]

I did not know that the theremin could be played with such feeling, wow.

[skiwhh]

This made my cats go crazy!

[MrXander124]

wow... this has a strange effect on me.... made it an mp3... 5/5....

[nutrinoland]

beautiful....sounds so real......

[Rachman1337]

Wow it sounds like someone singing.  That is pro.

[nicotavo]

srry!i confused!Its rachmaninov.... lol... Vivaldi is other thing xD

[nicotavo]

Vivaldi..... great music!Its vivaldi right?

[odigo2020]

Simply stunning. I even began to tear up a bit. Hypnotizing to see and hear. Very well done.

[TKnightcrawler]

Wow, that was very beautiful.

[adonis1940]

Very beautiful playing! You are one of the top to play theremin. Thank you, Randy!

[DecembersOnlyRegret]

Redo Zelda.

[sopoman04]

WOOOWW the best performance of the world in theremin.. wow again!

[KIDZTUNZkid]

Awesome job! u rock!!

[IlFabbricanteDiFumo]

Absolutely amazing.

Loved it with all of myself.

[RNMcgraw]

Wow. I never heard of a theremin before this. It's quite fascinating! Excellent job though! I don't know what it would be like to play "air" hehe.

[vc2251]

Beautiful Randy! Bravo.

[marietto81cs]

5/5 .......

[PumaSSBM]

is the piano external or from the theremin?

[progbassftw]

@PumaSSBM

Yup!

[JuicyCat2]

Great piece... I've been enjoying you're vids, keep posting! Theremins kick ass!

[yourforte]

This sounds wonderful.

[has123456]

great performance... perfect... congratulations \º/

maravailhosa apresentação... perfeita ... parabéns \º/

[TimiReichi]

are there like strings oris he playing in the air?

[pspman2000]

It uses radio waves. So yes it is controlled by moving your hands in the air. It is the only instrument played without touching it.

[lildancefreak]

air

[obsequyofeden]

i just got a moog etherwave and i have to say that i fully appreciate how well you are playing this! the theremin is NOT as easy to play as you make it look!

[chuckb666]

Same here. I'm struggling with my theremin too. It's very easy to make a lot of cool noise with the theremin. Getting some decent music out of it is a total nightmare! Congrats to the few virtuosos out there.

[daniellalalala]

very lovely!

[SMGuitar93]

From what i've seen this instrument is very vocal. It sort of resembles slide guitar in that they are both very vocal.

[woperchild]

wow...you're great!

[MobiusBandwidth]

that was brilliant, best Theremin performance I have ever heard. ok I haven't heard that many, but still! I tried to play one once or twice, a very challenging instrument and I play fretless bass. this is like, ....a piccollo fretless air-trombone!

[TheYellowQilin]

That was beautiful! Awesome job!

[MrNoelJMIS]

You should play the fantasy for theremin...there needs to be a new recording of that piece! :)

[Anavyia]

Very beautiful

[Belharg]

One of my favorite pieces. Beautiful work man. :)

[chuhangchun]

the sound effect is very similar to the original music

bravo!

[geoycs]

That was very excellent! Such beautiful tone and control.  Many thanks.

[SantiPanti101]

how much is that theremin you are using?

how much is the black theremin?

[HorseLady13]

The one he's using - the Moog Etherwave Pro - sells for around $1,500 USD, however they are no longer in production. You may be able to find one if you shop around

The black one, however - the Moog Etherwave - is still in production, and sells for around $450 USD. I use this model, and it's great :D

[scirath73]

Okay, that was annoying ... not the piece; that was beautiful. I mean the speck of dust on the lens (near the pitch hand). Must've wiped my screen 4 or 5 times before I realized it wasn't on my end. :-P

[Valhalla0]

are you serious? are you seriously complaining about that?

[NubcakeOnFire]

@scirath73

I can't unsee it D:

[aidavdbrake]

@scirath73 dead pix, i guess.

[saivert]

@scirath73 oh hell on earth. why did you have to say that. now I see it too. damn you. nah just kidding.

[brtlblayk]

@scirath73 it's a dead pixel... probably from the camera... =/ webcams tend to do that.

[Lotsofgoatses]

@scirath73 Goddamnit, now I can't stop looking at it.

[nickpxalternative]

@scirath73 roflll

[AbsalomPitchingfork]

: )

Yay for theramins!

[ProfRat]

Very very nice - thanks.

[SilenII]

Cooool!

[clagratrix]

*claps*

Bravo! Funny and sweet,  really well done :)

[twistedstraws]

i played this piece on the violin. it's really amazing watching this because its so different yet the same musically. it's really lovely. how do you control the volume with this instrument??

[CHUCKLZLORD]

The left hand controls volume and the right controls pitch.

[photodeus]

His left hand controls the volume :)

[XxHardtunerxX]

wtf how do you play with that!

[d3dreaper]

It utilizes radio waves and translates interferences in the wave into a notes and volume... the farther your hand is from it the lower the pitch and the closer it is the theremin the higher the pitch

[XxHardtunerxX]

ok thanks

[BaderFTW]

One of the most beautiful things I've ever heard, I can't say that enough

[0p3nm1n3]

i need manual 4 make a theremin :<

[LORDofKRIEG]

Hey ooo6 try to play Franz Schuberts The Trout on your theremin, It would be wonderful. Please try it!

[BaldDad02]

Every piece of Theremin music I have ever heard has been flawed. Until now.......

Perfect. Stunning.

[SunE6792]

Wish I can have one

[turarwanaa]

Build one from resistors, condensators, 2 amplifiers, 2 oscillators, and a low-pass filter. At home. Price = ~$40

[YourPrivateArea]

the looks on your friends faces...priceless.

[oLACHESISo]

Cool instrament.

[armyofmeisbliss]

you have evolved so much.

great rendition!

[sharidar]

its like the force... turne dinto an instrument lol

[irateproduction]

Great. Now I want a Theremin.

Jokes. Good job!

[oooleander]

the music is great! very enjoyable- i would buy a cd

[chillincello]

It's been a pleasure watching you grow as a musican from vid to vid! Amazing job! keep up the good work!

[aidange2]

wow

[LeifWilly]

such controll, feeling and dynamics.. lovely! :)

[bunissimo]

BELLISSIMA!

[Kajalamorth95]

I want one!

[Hagen8710]

holy sh*t!!!!!!! its a wonderful instrument and wonderful player!!

[Captaindamn85]

This is what I hear when I close my eyes... It's like elevator music but AWESOME

[militantviper]

Hey Randy - Beautiful Music indeed !!!

What brand speakers are in the back ground ???

[Maurazio]

fascinating

[emilygclarinet]

Excellent!

[catfacecathead]

wow - absolutely gorgeous. You wring so much life and subtlety out of the instrument - sometimes it sounds like violin but it is so uniquely theramin - love it! Thanks for sharing.

[Jbamski]

amazing :)

[Sevault]

not to bash you or anything, but I would never play the theremin; sure, it's cool, but it's extremely limited when compared to other instruments

[gildedintention]

goldfrapp uses one i wouldn't say its very limited when used with other instruments just like randy.

[BigTopBrain]

Fuck the negative votes on your comment; it is worthy of posting.

I agree (as a vocalist and trumpeter) that it is limited some ways, but it excels in other ways where many instruments cannot. It has its own unique value.

[1x800xPOCKETS]

i agree entirley.

[Mrgalaxy]

Look up the song "Eos" by Ulver and "Maybe?" by Green Carnation.

[umahuma4]

that made my eyes water

[lillance785]

wow, your really good.

[JahAddict]

Man i got a very good theremin and i'm training hard for years, i consider myself as very skilled now but i just shit my pants watching this vid. there are no words for that skill, every guy that trained to play that knows. You are absolutely freakin awesome dude.

[johndcorr]

I never thought that a worthy successor to the great Clara Rockmore might appear, but you, my friend, have the extraordinary physical discipline that this amazing instrument requires. I encourage you to continue improving, and to take on students! The disciplined study of this beautiful instrument must not be allowed to die out!

[DrummerCoCa]

A beautiful piece, and beautifully played by an amazing artist. Probably my favorite piece to listen to on theremin. GREAT job Randy!

[Ido013]

Rachmaninov is one of my favorite compositor ever and well you did an awesome job with his song!

[tamaraweikel]

Captivating... flawless!!

I sang/studied this song in college, it's one of my top 5 all-time favorites and a transcendent joy to sing. But I got in a little trouble because my "ah" sound kept coming out too "ooh" sometimes... (feels good that way actually.) So watching this was completely eerie because at times it sounds exactly like my old (young) voice. Sigh.  I don't mean it as being cocky, but rather as a compliment to your musicality when I compare it to singing.. so very well played!

[assasincheif629]

wohh where could i get one and 4 how much?

[DrummerCoCa]

Musician's Friend has an online store that sells theremins. The type that he uses in this video is not available anymore, but its predecessor (the Etherwave Standard Theremin) is about $400 on the site, last I checked.

[SaxMan77765]

this is amazing. i never knew the theremin could be so beautiful.

[jkrivitz]

Astounding. Simply gorgeous. Bravo.

[bobbo924B]

Best handling of that trill I've heard since the great Clara Rockmore herself. Nicely done.

[Yankeerulez977]

a 'Theremin' is played by interacting with radio waves the instrument gives off.

It typically has two oscillators that give off radio frequency. One hand controls the pitch, the other hand controls volume. Pitch and volume are manipulated depending on the distance between the player's hands and the machine.

[RuiDores]

well, not as dificult as playing a string instrument, but still nice... and well played! gratz

[jalex11]

I agree that it's beautiful, but whether a string instrument is more difficult to play is completely subjective... in my opinion this rendition is more exquisite and haunting than any other instrument it' been performed.

[bassplayer805]

string is deffinetly easier to play this has no set spots nothing you touch your hand has to be extremely precise to get the right picth out of this instrument it takes many years of practice to be this good

[cidazj6]

unless ur just just a natural who understands the movements very easily =]

[NamesROverated]

on the contrary, a string instrument is an actual physical instrument, therefore you have visuals on where your hands go, to play. The theremin does not, your hands do not contact the instrument at all.

[vTENKENv]

No, I agree with jalex11 there are a lot of components that a musician needs to pay attention to with both.

[bl4ckguard]

mind boggling. heart touching.

[mgmello]

Talk about a perfect ear! Impecable, execution. CONGRATULATIONS!

[9hrsInTheLibrary]

I'll be taking this instrument seriously from now on.

[mellchan]

That was amazing! Thank you for sharing it =)

[SLCFD876]

Dare I say better than the late Ms. Rockmore? Yes, better. Very well done--bravo. But that's not an Etherwave you're playing there (I have one of those) Yours looks maybe older? Can you tell us about the instrument?

Thanks for sharing your talent

[Lightweaver123]

I think it's an Etherwave Pro. Bit pricey but well worth it as it seems.

[bjm4idplayer]

most enjoyable theremin playing i've heard

[leswillys123]

how is this instrument possible?

[vargo999]

magic

[jazzpsalti]

did you get hip to this from mcferrin as well??? this is such a cool piece

[Hammie4Life]

takes lotsa skill to play tat thing

[Wakaliz]

Beautiful, I enjoyed this very much! Wakaliz

[Nightshot1]

Amazingly done!

[hughfristoe]

It's notes can in fact change in proximity to the pitch bar over time, due to not only atmospheric changes, but changes in the magnetic field around the theremin. Phenomenal Job. Absolutely stellar performance of a great piece.

[432hertz]

fantastic ears! beautiful ornamentation

[guitarplayer7694]

Playing this would be sorta, kinda like a trombone, no?

[DrummerCoCa]

guitarplayer7694--

I don't know why you got thumbs-down there, because in a way, you're right.

Trombone has no set notes--neither does cello. The theremin is the same: no set notes, just a completely chromatic range.

So yes, the same idea as a trombone, albeit a very different instrument.

[ooo6]

Not the same idea as the trombone. I may not be able to do or say anything to convince anyone of this, but I have played both and I believe they are very different. Having a physical apparatus to hold on to gives a sense of stability (for building muscle memory) that is simply non-existent with the theremin. All non-keyed instruments require good listening skills, but synchronizing aural skill with muscle memory interacting with a touch-less interface is a very unique and sensitive challenge.

[DrummerCoCa]

True, I didn't really consider that in my response.

Aren't theremin notes sometimes affected by atmospheric changes, even if you keep a constant tuning setting?

[jazzpsalti]

lol!!! exactly!!! and nevermind the fact that while the scale on a variable valve instrument (like the bone) is completely linear, the theremin has a logarithmic scale, which leaves you to move the hairs on your knuckles in the higher register!!!

I tell people that playing a theremin is a lot like playing the violin--if you don't know where the bridge is :)

[ericlouet44]

I do agree 100%. I play the cello. Many times I've been asked "how do you know where to hit the right note (is it the same in english as in french?) Well, that's not very easy but after years of practice, you know because there is a physical contact with the instrument. I have a Theremin now for one month and I can say it's very different. But... I can't explain it... when I put my hand in the air and the Theremin is mute... most of the time, it plays the right note. Strange.

[BunniSoup]

I don't think any one will understand how beastly that machine is. D: It's played so well. <3

[joethemusician]

yeah this is really quite stellar

[wdivi]

My theremin is an old coke can with a light sensor screwed on.... *sigh* wish i had one of those moogs!

What a perfect sound. The way you play is amazing. 5*****

[ericlouet44]

I've played this on the cello. Five days ago, I've recieved my Etherwave... now, I think I'm going back to my cello (It was a compliment!!!)

[animanga167]

beautifully played.... ='(

[Jayen4]

That's just beautiful ! Well done.

[djdrew11]

Millions of hours of practice... so hard to play... so many beautiful pieces can be produced on such an interesting and rare instrument... I say... brought me near to tears upon hearing this wonderfully played, beautiful piece...