theremins
Gesture-controlled electronic instruments
Theremins are electronic musical instruments played without physical contact.
The player moves their hands near two metal antennas—one controlling pitch, the other volume—creating an eerie, wavering tone associated with science fiction soundtracks and horror films.
Invented in the 1920s, the theremin remains a novelty but has a devoted following among experimental musicians.
Cyclic signal generator
- circuitryInterconnected electronic components
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- frequencyRate of recurrence
modulation · capacitance · resonance · filter · analog · electromagnetic · antenna · signal
Cyclic signal generator
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- pitchFrequency of sound
- volumeAmount of space filled
- proximityNearness in space
capacitance · hands-free · gesture · loop · circuit · induction · cabinet · stand
Pleasing sequence of notes
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- soundtrackMusic accompanying visual media
- sci-fiFuturistic fiction, abbreviated
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
classical · avant-garde · ambient · electronic · experimental · eerie · ethereal · spooky
Oscillating pitch effect
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
- glissandoRapid pitch sweep
- portamentoSeamless pitch transition
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
fingering · gestural · expression · phrasing · articulation · dynamics · intonation · precision
New device or method
- 1920sPost-WWI American decade
- RCAHistoric electronics corporation acronym
- SovietOf the USSR
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
pioneering · innovation · early · original · prototype · demonstration · espionage
oscillator
Cyclic signal generator
- circuitryInterconnected electronic components
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
frequency · modulation · capacitance · resonance · filter · analog · electromagnetic · antenna · signal · interference
oscillator
Cyclic signal generator
proximity · capacitance · hands-free · gesture · loop · circuit · induction · cabinet · stand · Moog
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- soundtrackMusic accompanying visual media
- sci-fiFuturistic fiction, abbreviated
horror · classical · avant-garde · ambient · electronic · experimental · eerie · ethereal · spooky · otherworldly
vibrato
Oscillating pitch effect
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
- glissandoRapid pitch sweep
- portamentoSeamless pitch transition
aerial · fingering · gestural · expression · phrasing · articulation · dynamics · intonation · precision · legato
invention
New device or method
patent · pioneering · innovation · early · original · prototype · demonstration · espionage
thereminsdrums
Struck membrane instruments
percussion instruments · hand drums · snare drums · pianos · guitars
thereminsacoustic instruments
Non-electric sound producers
acoustic guitars · violins · cellos · flutes · clarinets
thereminsbanjos
Fretted instruments with circular bodies
fiddles · harmonicas · bagpipes · mandolins · folk instruments