Theremin - ''The Swan'' (Le Cygne) from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens

A theremin performance of 'The Swan'' (Le Cygne) from The Carnival of the Animals (Carnaval des Animaux) by Camille Saint-Saens. This piece, usually played on the cello, (and often performed in ballet as ''The Dying Swan''), is a classical favourite of many thereminists, and is played here on a Wavefront Classic theremin.

I'm heading swiftly towards the end of my 15th month of learning to play the theremin, so, once again, I've uploaded a video of me playing ''The Swan'' which is something I've done regularly since the start. I find that returning to a piece I've played fairly often helps me assess my advancement (or lack of it ... I dont find this an easy piece!) My aim has been to eventually play a version of this piece that comes as close as possible to the sound of the cello; I think this is the closest I've managed so far, although, as always, there's still room for improvement!

WHAT IS A THEREMIN?
The theremin was invented by Professor Leon Theremin duing the late 1920's, and is the only musical instrument played without being touched. Its circuitry includes two radio frequency oscillators; one at a fixed rate, the frequency of the other determined by the thereminist's right hand (acting as the grounded plate of a variable capacitor) as it moves beside the upright antenna; this controls the pitch. The difference between the two frequencies creates audio signals heard via an amplifier. Using a similar principle, the left hand's proximity to the loop antenna modulates volume.

If you are interested in learning to play the theremin, click the link below to watch: ''Youtube Theremin Guide - Everything for the Learner Thereminist!'' - a video giving learner thereminists over 80 links to online theremin-resources, including websites, books, DVDs, lessons, practice tracks, theremin makers, and Youtube thereminists from around the globe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypwRSPDv3OI

Wavefront theremins can be found at http://www.theremin.ws

Piano backing track from
www.piano-accompaniments.com

Category:

Music

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[EtherealTristesse]

Hey there :) I recognize a Wavefront Anywhere!!! You play this song so beautifully!!! Can you tell me what position you have your knobs in to obtain this beautiful cello like sound? I am still fiddling with them at the moment. I love this ttheremin, it is such a nice one to play...

[Thereminstrel]

@EtherealTristesse What Ho! Glad to hear you have your Wavefront at last; I'm sure you will enjoy it enormously. My favourite setting for a cello-like sound is: Waveform 3 o'clock / Brightness 1 o'clock. I sometimes increase the brightness as far as 4 o'clock if I want a less mellow sound. Another setting I like is: W/F 2 o'clock / Br 10 o'clock. I find this gives a pleasing muted brass sound. Remember: theremins vary, even those of the same make can sound different from each other.

[pspman2000]

Very nice playing.

[Thereminstrel]

Thank you for your kind comment!

[AgentTwiggy]

Utterly beautiful and haunting - you're really skilled with this instrument. :D

[Thereminstrel]

How very kind of you!  I'm nowhere near as skilled at playing the theremin as I'd like to be ... but I keep practicing, and hope that I will keep improving gradually!

Thank you.

[yeapsystar]

Oh no problem great friend!

I was off from both my desktop and laptop (internet) computers too for some days as I was copying much files & stuff from my old desktop computer to my 1 TB external harddisk, but it went that S L O O O W ... Hehehe! Besides that, I got a cold in my right ear last weekend 'cause it was too windy last Friday ... UGH!

I'm glad things are better now and that I even played a somehow birthday "serenade" for one of my friends who has his birthday today ;-)

[Thereminstrel]

Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad you think that playing this piece in the low range originally intended for the cello seems to work well. I certainly enjoy playing it!

[Thereminstrel]

Thank you! My apologies for not replying sooner - I have been away from my home computer!

[thereminy]

I like this peformace and this low tone.

Thank you.