by Leslie M.

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: December 24, 2008

Have you ever seen a 1950's sci-fi horror flick? Or perhaps a documentary about how previous generations viewed outer space? Then you've probably heard the Theremin: the instrument behind the eerie vibrato that seems so cliche to sci-fi horror of yesteryear.

And honestly, the history of the Theremin is just as odd and strange as the sounds it produces. It was actually invented by the Russian government, not for musical purposes, but as a proximity sensor to be utilized during the country's civil war that broke out in 1919. But after the creation of this new gadget, the inventor Leon Theremin saw melodic potential, and the device named for its creator became the first legitimate electronic instrument.

Unfortunately, it took a little time for the instrument to catch on, even though its inventor toured extensively to demonstrate his new find. One major hurdle Theremin faced was the stock market crash of '29. This was an issue because RCA bought the production rights to the device in 1928, so by the time it was available for sale, people were much more interested in finding jobs than learning new musical instruments. But, since this instrument was a very interesting, new device, in the long run the Theremin found its niche as people learned to play.

Because this mechanism was developed to in order to detect movements and distances; this directly impacts the way it is played. Basically, the Theremin looks like a radio with an antenna on the right side, an extra metallic loop stuck to the left, so sounds produced are dependant on the proximity of player's hands to these two receivers. Therefore the instrumentalist's right hand is used for pitch (the closer the hand the higher the sounds), and the left for volume or loudness of the instrument. And the player never even has to touch the instrument to play it.

Of course, even though players don't have to handle the instrument directly to produce sound, the Theremin is notoriously difficult to play. There are no fingerboards or frets to help the instrumentalist find pitches, and the technique is exceedingly difficult, as one has to remember everything by distance. However, for a select few, the instrument can be played in a wide variety of styles from new age to classical.

In the classical arena, works have been written for the Theremin by composers such as Demetri Shostakovich and Percy Granger. And in 1967 the Rolling Stones wrote a piece with a part in it for the instrument in their song "Please go home." Additionally, in recent ballet performances done by the Royal Danish Ballet, the Theremin was used as the mermaid's voice in their production of "The Little Mermaid" in 2005. So the Theremin has staying power in the industry, and is looked upon as a legitimate art form with a repertoire all its own.

So basically, the Theremin isn't just heard in cheesy B horror flicks that substitute blown up trashcan lids for UFO's. It is historic, as it is the first real recognized electronic instrument, is very difficult to play, and is utilized in a wide variety of musical genres.

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