Intuitive Music

The Theremin it’s considered to be the father of all modern synthesizers. It was invented by Russian physisist Leon Theremin in 1917 while experimenting with radio vacuum tubes for the design of security alarms. The Theremin is a device with two antennas that control the pitch and the volume of the sound created by two high radio frequency sound waves of similar but varying frequency combining. This means that this controls are controled in the air, with no physical contact with the instrument.

Between the 20’s and 30’s, The Theremin was extensively used for classical music performances. The most reputed Theremin players were Clara Rockmore and Samuel Hoffman.

During the 40’s and 50’s, the Theremin sound become popular by being used in sci-fi and mystery films. It was later discovered in the 60’s by pop and rock artists such as The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, and Pink Floyd. During this period, the same principles of The Theremin were be developed in the production of the first keyboard synthesizers by Robert Moog.

Other electronic artists who has used the Theremin were Coil, Jean Michel Jarre, Gary Numan, Matmos, Radio Massacre International, Rabbit In The Moon, Skinny Puppy, Goldfrapp, Meat Beat Manifesto, Nine Inch Nails, Nicoletta Stephanz, and Scanner.