Thanks for the photo. I always confuse the sound this makes with the music that's played by running moistened fingers around the rims of glasses that have been filled with differing amounts of water. Now, of course, I can't think what THAT'S called! Harmonium???

Last week we watched a DVD of "Is Anybody There?" with Michael Caine. The sound track featured this music.

I have never heard of it. Also, I have never seen Star Trek. Hmmm, I do lead a sheltered life! lol
Dee in Michigan

Yes -- Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, "Good Vibrations." I think the Beatles played around with one too.

I want one.

Me, too, Gayle! Although I think my arm muscles might freeze up after a while. :-)

Here's a video showing how it's played. The woman is playing Claire de Lune. It's really pretty.

I misspelled theremin, by the way.

Here is a link that might be useful: Claire de Lune on the Theremin

Thanks for the link Alisande. Only a Lydia could play that so well. LOL

Now I want one too!

wow....

Yes, strangely enough, I have heard about a theramin. The frequency of sound produced is controlled by the capacitive coupling between the player's hand the an electrode in the instrument. The capacitance changes with the distance of the player's hand from the electrode.

The theramin was an experimental instrument constructred when electronic engineers and inventors were tinkering with applying electronics to musical instruments. The electrified guitar and bass guitar are fine examples that came from that period. The theramin was a novelity that never moved beyond its inception stage and did not become popular. It makes interesting sounds, but is msuically deficient compared to what can be done with other instruments. Most of the note changes on a theriman are slurred. It is almost impossible to sharply change from one note to another, or to produce 'plinked' notes, a common device used in most conventional instruments.

The first theriman was made using vacuum tube amplifiers.

Thanks for letting me see a picture of one.

Being the radio addict that I am, I've heard one many times, including a description of how it works and how one plays it - but I've never seen one, or even a picture.

Good wishes for a really lovely Christmas, and some good things in life, next year.

ole joyful

jemdandy -- Slurred notes? Wow, now we've found the perfect instrument to accompany many of today's singing sensations! "Hold on, little lady, keep trying, you'll slide into that note eventually!"

I want one too! I love strange musical instruments!