Wii Theremin - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

This is my submission for NPR's National Caroling Party 2008.  The instrument is my homemade Wiimote-powered Theremin (simulator). The technology links a Wiimote controller, infrared LED gloves and a Roland JV-1080 synthesizer to create Theremin-like sounds.  For the mp3 and more demos visit http://www.kenmooredesign.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• wii
• theremin
• santa
• claus
• npr
• national
• caroling
• party
• remote
• wiimote
• hacking
• diy
• synthesizer

[xXCrazyJumpyOneXx]

would you recommend this instrument to a 14 year old musician? o.e It looks fun..... well, the actual theramin. Im not sure if you sell out your product... D:

[kenmoore]

@xXCrazyJumpyOneXx I purchased a real Theremin a little over a year ago and can say that it's an incredibly difficult instrument to master. While it's fun, I would only recommend it as a serious endeavor for musicians who have already established a strong musical foundation, preferably involving violin or cello -- intonation is a huge part of playing well, and good intonation is one of the pillars of learning proper Theremin technique (sadly, that pillar is a bit weak for me :)

[xXCrazyJumpyOneXx]

@kenmoore surprisingly, i play the piano, upright bass, and violin! But not cello :P I sorta do... have a strong music foundation, i know of pitch, intonation, technique, theory, and so on. I have a pretty music based background, neither though.. i am only 14. :D

[kenmoore]

@xXCrazyJumpyOneXx Well this may be a great instrument for you. If you decide to take the plunge I recommend the Etherwave Standard Theremin as a beginner instrument (Etherwave Pro if you continue). Also, you'll want to study The Art of Playing The Theremin by Carolina Eyck -- it's the most sensible method for achieving accuracy and consistency. I wish I had discovered the instrument at your age! Give it a try, I think you'll love it.... and let me know if you do :)

[xXCrazyJumpyOneXx]

@kenmoore !!!! I showed my mum that, and she said that was the coolest thing ever. Haha, im the musical one in the family (: How much do these things go for? Not anymore than an upright bass right..? D:

[kenmoore]

@xXCrazyJumpyOneXx send me an email at kenmoore(at)gmail.com ... I'm happy to share all I know, excited that you're considering it :)

[JEDCWild]

this is so rad.  It's people like you Nintendo needs to consult on how to continue to be groundbreaking and innovative.

[Arthur60]

You're a genius! You simply thought of using the wiimote to build your own theremin-like musical human interface. That's just a fantastic idea.

You are totally true saying a keyboard will never allow such control.

It's what is missing to nowadays' digital music: continuity. We had this with earlier synths which were voltage driven. We lost a lot of subtiliy wanting to put everything in rows of bytes.

Let my hands loudly applause you!

5 stars, BRAVO!

[hellenicNS]

Jesus, sounds like a ghost singing

[iMultitalented]

look at the computer mouse

[andjack]

@xXCrazyJumpyOneXx I would recommend ANY instrument a 14 year old child want to play.

Playing music is SO developing for childrens brains, which there are lots of scientific studies of. Especially for children with problems concentrating and/or learning math and reading.

So, this would be as good an instrument as any. And when you get the hang of one instrument, you can always change later. :)

[1254angelo]

2 peoples has not recieve gifts thumbs up :D

[IaMtHePoLiCe100]

This is cool how made it yourself I like and I'll keep whatching and commenting o and liking ur videos thx for the entertainment.

[LookItsBj13]

Look At his Computer At the Back,The Mouse Moves With His Hand. x]