The Swan on Gakken Theremin

The Swan on Gakken Theremin
Theremin solo by Chan Wai-fat

The Gakken theremin sounds very good but it requires some modification to play tunes. I've got these information from Sirant who posted his youtube video on modification by putting a tin foil between battery. Eventually I've found longer tin foil is better for playing control, the pitch is actually affected by two hands. It is perhaps some better way to modify and this is what I've found.




Instructional video clips on tuning and demonstration in details available from the offical Gakken website. Also check out Yoko Onichi's brilliant performance on playing the Gakken theremin on the youtube, and thank Thomas Grillo for his instructional video, which is the only comprehensive instruction available I think. It is very helpful to understand the playing the Theremin. Check out him on youtube, he has some amazing performances on the B3 and Moog Theremin on youtube. Of course the "Grandmother of the Theremin" Clara Rockmore. Finally thanks again Sirant for youtips and Bun for your Sony DV cam.

Chan Wai-fat (Hong Kong)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gakken
• Theremin
• Swan
• Saint-Saen
• Chan
• Wai-fat

[Thereminstrel]

Nicely played - thank you. This is not an easy pice to play on a pitch-only theremin! The tinfoil modification is interesting - it seems to allow you a wider pitch range.

[chanwfat]

I've got a Moog etherwave and find it more difficult to play. But musically tolerance of little imperfection for the Gakken , but with the Moog it has to be much more details or it sounds really bad. The tinfoil is like a secondary pitch antenna. I see people play it by just touching the tinfoil. I find it just raise the pitch but no wilden the field. Don't know why.

[sirant]

Wow! Fantastic!

You played it like a pro!

Where did you get your Theremin Mini? I ordered mine from Taobao (in Shenzhen) but curious to see if they are sold in Hong Kong.

5 stars!

[chanwfat]

I borrowed this from my friend, she got it in a shopping mall which sells Japanese model in Causway, Hong Kong.

[yeapsystar]

Wow!

Doesn't sound that bad at all, allthough I do't like the sound that much, technically you did a great job! (y)

Has the Gakken no volume loop or plate?

[ThomasGrillo]

Great job! And on a gakken mini no less. ;)

[pulpmaggie]

好叻架, 好鐘意見到你。