The mysterious musical instrument played without touching is the theremin.
The Theremin: An Instrument of Invisible Music
The theremin is a unique and intriguing electronic musical instrument. What makes it stand out is its method of play: it is controlled without physical contact by the performer, who is often called a thereminist.
How the Theremin Works (Simply Put)
Instead of keys, strings, or valves, the theremin uses two antennas. One antenna controls the pitch of the sound, and the other controls the volume. The performer moves their hands in the air near these antennas, changing the electromagnetic fields around them. These changes are translated into variations in pitch and volume, creating the music.
- Moving a hand closer to the pitch antenna raises the pitch.
- Moving a hand closer to the volume antenna lowers the volume.
Other Names for the Theremin
According to historical references, the theremin has gone by several other names throughout its history, reflecting its innovative nature:
- Ætherphone
- Etherphone
- Thereminophone
- Termenvox or Thereminvox
This instrument's ethereal sound and the visual spectacle of a musician creating music from seemingly empty space make it truly mysterious and fascinating.
