I HAVE A THERAMIN!!!

[peter johnson]

I have a Theramin, and I know how to use it!!  Stay back!!
* * * *
No, seriously, I purchased an Ether Theramin, from Moog, for my 49th birthday.
I haven't had this much fun in years!!
Really, the entire soundtrack of whatever '50's or '60's science-fiction film you can think of, you can do the soundtrack to, if you can figure out the physicality.
I am so . . . happy . . .
Everyone should have one of these -- Provided Free by the Benevolent Lizard Aliens  . . .
Yours in  WWWOOOoooAAaapweeEEEWWHooo etc. etc.
peter johnson/denny crane

[MasterBlaster]

Cool! I built a theremin from a Paia kit a few years ago. I cant play it worth a damn but it's lots of fun.

[trekgeezer]

Your own Electronic Tonalities, WOW!

Actually I didn't know what you guys were talking about until I Googled it an then I remembered. Hadn't heard the name in a long time(plus you spelled it wrong).

OT: By the way Peter I will be glad when this Sunday comes, I have been going through Denny Crane withdrawal. Boston Legal has been pre-empted the last couple of weeks.  Did you see the one with Donnie Crane (Freddie Prinze Jr.)?

[Menard]

I had no idea what it was either. I thought Peter was happy about a multi-vitamin. (:

Interesting history the Theremin has.

[DaveMunger]

I want one! I was kind of hoping to find a book about how to make your own from radio shack or something. There's a good chance I'd never really learn to play it unless it's as easy as it looks, which seems unlikely.

Radiohead rules! Bwana bwana bwana bwana/ bwanabwana - bwana bwa/ Bwana bwana bwana bwana/ bwanabwana - bwana bwa/ WEEEOOOoooo OO OO OO OOOeeOOOooo/ OOOOeee OOO eeeoooeeeoooeeeeooo-ooo...

[Ozzymandias]

I think you could be like I did with my old electric guitar or keyboard and, as Martin Mull sang, "learn the licks off the records."

Figure out how to play the theme from Dark Shadows or the last few minutes of "Good Vibrations."

[DaveMunger]

I'd love to be able to do the theme from One Step Beyond on a theremin.

[peter johnson]

I have an assignment to learn the theme from Star Trek as well --
Yes, I did see the Freddie Prinz Jr. episode -- we really hope Boston Legal stays on the air, as it's currently the only thing on TV that the wife & I laugh out loud over --
Yes, there are schematics and instructions on making one all over the web, but I wanted one NOW, doncha know --
I have an instructional DVD from the Moog Co. called "Mastering the Theremin".  I plan to view it soon & apply whatever I can learn from it.  I really want to learn this thing & play it well --
There's a local band called The Inactivists, who have a Theremin player.  On their website, they have a cut of her playing a Gershwin song from Porgie & Bess, solo.  It's really quite beautiful.  This is doubly funny because The Inactivists are sort of a thrash-weirdo-punk band!!
peter johnson/denny crane

[Ozzymandias]

There was a band in the 60s called Lothar and the Hand People. Lothar was the name of their theramin.

[peter johnson]

My producer at Channel 54 told me that they, Lothar & The Hand People, are a local Denver band.  He still has them on vinyl somewhere, but has to dig through a storage locker to find their records.
I can wait . . .
Jimmy Page apparently played one on Whole Lotta Love, but I guess the real one we all remember is The Beach Boys' Good Vibrations.
Steve Martin used one for a gag in The Man With 2 Brains, but people who know him claim he can actually play one quite well --
I'm going to learn all I can & get as good on it as I can -- Und zen I vill conquer Space!! Und ze Virld!!
peter johnson/denny crane

[h.p. love]

Crank up the theramin to 11. Freak out your neighbors and signal the aliens!

One of my favorite documentaries is "Theramin: An Electric Odyssey" (1994). I've never played a theramin, but this is informative and entertaining for anyone. Espionage for the men and even a love story for the women.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/

Highlights include Theramin himself who was abducted from the U.S. by the KGB and taken to Russia to develop weapons technology. I won't give away the details, but at the time of the film, he is living in a studio apartment. Especially fun are the interviews with genius Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys who is always a trip and a half. He explains the genesis of "Good Vibrations" in Brian-speak.

[Scott]

Is this some kind of instrument that you have to have talent to play Peter Johnson?

When I first saw the post the other day my first thought was a product called THERA-FLU at my grocers medicine counter.: ) I have had some kind of stomach virus lately.



Post Edited (03-13-05 19:48)

[peter johnson]

Christ, as I'm discovering, not only do you need some muscial wherewithall -- call it  "talent", if you must -- you have to actually PRACTICE on the thing, and WORK at it , if you want it to do your bidding --
Yep, I would say "beware of what you wish for", but for the fact that I'm still having fun, & that I am determined to practice for as long as it takes!  So there!
Type in The Inactivists or Theremin Noir on your search thingies to get some good clips of what I'm shooting for --
peter johnson/denny crane

[Vermin Boy]

Yeah, the theremin definitely takes some practice, but it's lots of fun. I have "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" mastered on mine; my goal, once I get some more free time, is to record Pachelbel's Canon with all the parts played on theremin.

Also, if you haven't already, I recommend Captain Beefheart's "Safe As Milk" album; it's got a few great theremin parts, especially "Electricity" (played by Sam Hoffman, who did the theremin work for Day the Earth Stood Still!)

[Flangepart]

I want one!
Heck...if i could, i'd rig up various antenna around the house, connect to the sound system, and invite strangers over to tave a chat, and from the moment they walk in the door, the weirdness comences!
Jehova's witness : "What is that strange sound!?"
Me : "What strange sound? Are you okey?"

Garrenteed to keep visitors out of the bathroom!
Put one in a bag, connect the antenna to your arms, and go on the bus. Bwahahaha!
A Theramin, a Bose wave machine, and me.....That oughta keep the work place intresting!