Theremin

Touchless electronic instrument played by moving hands within electromagnetic fields around two antennas.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Invented in 1920 by Russian physicist Leon Theremin.
• One antenna controls pitch and the other volume, with no physical contact from the player.
• Virtuoso Clara Rockmore proved it a concert instrument; its eerie tone marked 1950s science-fiction film scores.

Specifications & Metrics

• FAMILY: Electrophone
• RANGE: About 5 octaves