What do i need?

It's a device designed to facilitate an pastime practised by a great many teenagers, mostly boys, usually alone but sometimes with close friends, often in their bedrooms, and which involves a lot of frantic hand activity directly related to the viewing of exciting visual stimuli.









That's right, its a video game console.

Gordon, you make it sound so dirty.

One thing to think about. The Wii is the first generation of consoles with the new type of controller technology so there will undoubtedly be improvements and other consoles coming out.

Both Nintendo and other companies come out with a new must-have console every year.

The Theremin is not subject to becoming obselete. There will always be improvements in the design of the instrument but next year's theremin will not be so different from last year's model.

good point Diggy,
ultimately there's only so much you can do with two metal rods stickin out in the air.
each must follow their own,
but as a therevangelist, I hope Thereminsbeuaty gets a theremin and experiences it beauty.

Gordon, great set up.

I am waiting for the day when someone circuit bends a Wii into some kind of gestural controlled instrument.

I did a gig with a guy who goes by the name Lissajou who made mad beats with two Nintendo Gameboys.

We talked about doing a set where I play theremin play along with his stuff.

[i]I am waiting for the day when someone circuit bends a Wii into some kind of gestural controlled instrument.[/i]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaX_wLWkW9s

What do you want to use the theremin for? That should help inform what you need to buy.

I wanted to play tonal music, and got a theremin for my 15th birthday. It was a Gooood decision. It's up to you entirely though. Some people hate the things, others would sell their soul to get hold of an E'Pro. I had some musical proficiency to begin with, and a pretty good ear (which helped), but I cannot tell you in advance whether you'll be able to play the thing. That's the main concern that I had - they're pretty expensive, and there's no guarantee that anyone will be able to play them to their own satisfaction. Some people are pretty good, but get frustrated and give up, whilst others are dreadful, but still adore their playing and find the instrument fun.

I don't think you said anything about your musical background, but if you haven't played an instrument before, and you want to use a theremin to play 'proper' music (as opposed to experimental/atonal woo-woo effects and pieces), then you might want to try something else first. If you just want SFX, then it doesn't matter hugely. Anyone can do that right away, and practice to 'explore' the capabilities of the machine.

What do you plan on using the theremin for? What is (if you mind me asking) your price range? How long've you got?

i just like them alot. they sound beautifull. They look fun and very challenging to play. someone said it will explode if you play it to hard.

Here's the thing, Thereminsbeuaty...

Check out a couple of vids - one is the brilliant Lydia Kavina playing Claire De Lune and the other is some weird guy that goes by the moniker Beat Frequency making a bunch of experimental/atonal woo-woo effects in something called Void Ship.

Which is your kind of music?

Option A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B68bRDzQi8) or Option B (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4TgYkqdi8).




[i]someone said it will explode if you play it to hard[/i]

Yeah, my mother said the same thing about playing with my video game console.

Thereminsbeuaty, as an owner of both a Wii and a theremin I can tell you there is tons of fun to be had with both. I don't feel like either will lose appeal over time. Here we are 20 years after Super Mario Bros. came out on the NES and people still play and enjoy it today.

I feel like playing The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess on Nintendo Wii is right about on par with owning an Etherwave Pro. I wouldn't trade my 20 years of video gaming past for anything in the world, but I do wish I started playing theremin a few years earlier.

Good luck with your decision! I'm glad to be of no help!

[i]"... option A or option B?"[/i]

Well, of course the examples that Gordon cites are two of many options for Theremin music.

One excellent way to hear how the Theremin is used in many genres is to check out the "Spellbound" podcast. http://spellbound.purplenote.com and/or listen in to the live feed on Sunday evenings.

[i]-- Kevin[/i]