Theremin - "Quando Me'n Vo" (Musetta's Waltz Song from La Boheme) by Puccini

To introduce my Wavefront Classic theremin, I've decided to play "Quando Me'n Vo" (Musetta's Waltz Song from the opera La Boheme) by Puccini.

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 by the excellent http://www.youraccompanist.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• theremin
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• UK
• classical
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• precision
• electrical
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• opera
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• Me'n
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• musetta's
• waltz
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• la
• boheme
• by
• puccini
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• piano
• music
• performance
• leon
• lev
• termen
• thereminvox
• Терменвокс
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• ether
• テルミン

[maralmada]

Wow! this is just great. How do you play this instrument? I see it's a very difficult thing to play!

[Thereminstrel]

Thank you!

Yes, the theremin is said to be one of the most difficult instruments to play. Without the keys, frets, strings, valves of other instruments, it requires deep concentration to find & play the ''invisible'' notes accurately.

The pitch of a note is determined by how close the right hand is to the upright antenna (closer equals higher); the left hand above the loop antenna modulates volume. You'll find a more comprehensive explanation of how a theremin works on my channel page.

[yeapsystar]

Wow! This sounds great! I guess it's a quite difficult piece 'cause of all those tempo changes ;-)

[Thereminstrel]

Thanks!

I sometimes think that almost everything is difficult when I try to play it on the theremin ... and the hardest thing is always the same ... just trying to hit all the right notes!!!!

However, I really enjoyed learning this melody. I seem to like songs from operas ... perhaps because I often think that playing the theremin is a bit like singing with your hands.

[jerrymartin79]

What a beautiful sound. Congratulations on the new acquisition! Great work.

[Thereminstrel]

Thanks! The Wavefront has a great timbre, especially in the lower register; it sounds more like a ''proper instrument'' than any thermin I've tried so far - and it sounds even better ''in person'' than the through the camcorder. Hopefully, I'll get around to doing some more recordings of it soon.

[acordeon70]

excellent

[yeapsystar]

I guess we've got some simular ideas about playing the theremin LOL!

I also try to find songs where I can put some "Operaish" things within the theremin melodies LOL!

And well ... Keeping the notes right and not going to sweep around like me sometimes do, hehehe! Especially those high tones but I discovered already that changing antenna length even therefore can help ;-)

[Trombonauta]

=·)

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. Well done. ;)