Learn to Play the Theremin

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How to Access Tutorials In Sequence

VERY IMPORTANT LESSON!
To Learn How to Set Your Theremin’s Pitch Control
If you’re just starting out, this is crucial. You want LESSON ZERO. In quotation
marks, just type “Lesson Zero” in the search field. Then press “Enter.” Click on
the lesson title and the lesson will play.

TO VIEW A LIST OF ALL TUTORIALS
Just click on the “Complete Tutorial Listing” tab and you will see all lessons listed in
their proper sequence.

For Lessons 1 through 9
Type a ZERO and lesson number into the search field within quotes (for example,
“Lesson 01″ “Lesson 02″ etc).

Press ENTER and you will be taken to a new page. Click on the lesson title and the
lesson will play.

For All Other Lessons
Locate the lesson you’d like to access in the listing, then type the lesson number
into the search field within quotes (for example, “Lesson 19″ “Lesson 38″ etc.)
and press ENTER. The lesson heading will appear, usually right at the top. Click on
the lesson title and the lesson will play.

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Tip 1: What To Do When Zero Beat Disappears

Setting zero beat can become impossible under certain conditions. 1) the pitch circuits “slip”
over time, and suddenly, you’re unable to set it; or. 2) you change the location of the theremin
to another place (room, stage, library, etc.) and there’s interference due to lighting, facility
wiring, the proximity of other electronics. Here’s how to remedy the problem.

 

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Lesson 64
The Xtremes: Xtreme Pitches and Rhythms
Part 2

This is the final lesson the “The Complete Theremin” course, and hopefully, a real challenge
for everyone. Let’s go out on an Xtreme note. The melodic and rhythmic sequences in this
tutorial require speed, accuracy and persistence. And they just might be things you already
know but have never attempted to play. Have fun!
 
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Lesson 63
The Xtremes: Xtreme Pitches and Rhythms
Part 1

In continuing to work with the precision fan, this lesson introduces two short, briskly paced
melodic sequences. The first is a sequence that is primarily a melodic descent, while the
second is a melodic ascension. They’re both designed to test your ability to simultaneously
hit precise pitches and synchronize them with rhythm. In addition, since the pitch hand moves
back and forth in relation to the pitch rod and the fingers on the volume hand move back and
forth through the threshold, this will intentionally challenge your coordination as they move
sometimes in the same direction and sometimes in opposition.
 

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Lesson 57
The Xtremes: Xtreme Volume Hand Techniques
Part 4

In Part 4, pitch is added back into the mix exclusive of rhythm. In an evolution of Lesson
45, the challenge is to see if hitting pitches in a scale is possible in one unbroken movement of
the pitch hand, while the volume hand articulates each one. This is the precursor to playing
challenging and/or rapid melody lines during which there’s a minimal amount of time to hit a
pitch before moving on to the next. Stay tuned, because Lessons 63 and 64 will put this to
the ultimate test.
 

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Lesson 56
The Xtremes: Xtreme Volume Hand Techniques
Part 3

Transition out of the “hand fan” to the more challenging “precision fan.” In preparation
for incorporating melody, we’ll continue to disregard pitch and take on complex and rapid
rhythms; You’ll build endurance and accuracy as you work at the threshold.
 

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Lesson 55
The Xtremes: Xtreme Volume Hand Techniques
Part 2

First, be sure to work with Part 1 of this series; that is where you learn the basics of the “hand
fan,” and you’ll need to be proficient with it when tackling this lesson. We’ll experiment with
rhythms that get progressively more rapid and complex. Be sure to record yourself when
working on this and the tutorials that follow; it’s the best way to determine when you’ve
become skilled enough at the technique and can then move on.
 

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Lesson 54
The Xtremes: Xtreme Volume Hand Techniques
Part 1

In the first of this four-part sequence of lessons, we’ll review every volume hand technique
and begin working toward techniques that help with greater relaxation while playing,
cleaner articulation, and the ability to play more rapidly. The new “transitional” technique
shown here lays the groundwork for what’s to come, so, make sure to record yourself in
order to track your progress.
 

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A Little Bit Live From Joe’s Pub

Under the auspices of the New York Theremin Society, I was privileged to be part of an
evening with four other thereminists. Cinematographer, Kasper Tuxen was on hand and
although he shot only very brief sequences of our performances, the celebratory
atmosphere and overwhelming audience enthusiasm in very much in evidence. So, here’s a
little bit, live.

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