Discover the Enigmatic Sounds of the Theremin: The Hands-Free Musical Device
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Music scholars suggest that there are over 1,500 musical instruments globally. Out of all these, there seems to be only one that can be played without any physical contact—the eerie, hypnotic theremin. Although it has existed for nearly a century, many believe there’s still vast untapped potential. The sounds produced by the theremin are as distinctive as its origin story, inspiring musicians from various genres and eras.
Characterized as an electronic instrument, the theremin has an appearance that appears quite straightforward. Most variations consist of a box with two metal rods; one is upright above the box, and the other is bent, affixed to the opposite side of the box in a U formation. This arrangement generates oscillations at two sound-wave frequencies that exceed the range of human hearing. To play it, one must move a hand or baton above the box. This action modifies the inaudible frequencies, yielding sounds that fall within our hearing range as the motion continues.
The theremin was created in the 1920s by Leon Theremin, a Russian engineer and physicist, largely by chance. “[Theremin] was working in a laboratory in Russia as a young scientist, focusing on a gas meter to assess the density of gases,” biographer Albert Glinsky relayed to CBS News. “While nearing the gas meter with his hand, he detected a higher pitch. When he moved his hand back toward his body, the sound became slower. He began to play melodies with this apparatus, and lab assistants along with his supervisor soon gathered and exclaimed, ‘This is incredible.’”
Mastering the theremin necessitates accuracy and a keen ear, so prior musical training is beneficial. Among the initial skilled thereminists was Clara Rockmore. A classically trained violinist, she stopped playing due to tendinitis in her bowing arm. Serendipitously, her encounter with Theremin led her to embrace this new instrument, ultimately making her its most recognized performer due to her adept shows. Rockmore collaborated with Theremin to expand the instrument’s capabilities, and during their collaboration, Theremin fell in love with her. However, she turned down his marriage proposal.
The theremin continued to permeate contemporary music. In 1967, Paul Tanner developed the electrotheremin, an instrument that replicates theremin sounds, notable for the high-pitched notes in the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.”
Two years later, Led Zeppelin added texture to their classic “Whole Lotta Love” using a theremin. “I knew exactly what I wanted, and I knew how to achieve it. It was just a matter of execution,” Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin shared with Guitar World. “I produced most of the sounds with a theremin and my guitar. The theremin creates most of the higher frequencies, while my Les Paul handles the lower tones.”
Today, although it may not be overwhelmingly popular, the theremin has played a role in popular culture as a means of evoking the eerie or whimsical. The score for the TV series Loki, composed by Natalie Holt, prominently features the theremin, adding to the story’s enigmatic and unsettling atmosphere. The theremin also made a television appearance when Sheldon Cooper performed it on The Big Bang Theory in the episode titled “The Bus Pants Utilization.” Attempting to disrupt his friend’s work after being excluded from a project, he played his theremin loudly, leading to his removal from the apartment he shares with Leonard.
Explore additional examples of theremin sounds and tracks that incorporate it.
The sounds created by the theremin are as distinctive as its backstory, and the potential of this instrument has motivated musicians from various genres and generations.
Photo: Den.Barbulat/Depositphotos
The theremin was invented nearly by chance in the 1920s by Leon Theremin, a Russian engineer and physicist, while he was developing a gas meter.
“Prof. Leon Theremin demonstrating to Frederick A. Stock, director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, how to operate the ether wave box, known as the thermophone, through manual gestures,” 1928. (Photo: Chicago Tribune via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Among the pioneering proficient thereminists was Clara Rockmore, who partnered with Theremin to advance the instrument’s capabilities.
Clara Rockmore performing on the Theremin. (Photo: Unknown photographer via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
The theremin has integrated into modern music, with one of the most recognizable instances being “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin.
The soundtrack for the TV show Loki, composed by Natalie Holt, includes extensive theremin use to amplify the story’s puzzling and unsettling tone.
The theremin itself