New Etherwave the block

Hey everyone. 35 year old newcomer from Denmark here!

I recently spotted a great offer on an Etherwave Plus and took the plunge - so now I think nothing but Theremin

I was wondering about the extension module, and whether it would make sense to upgrade right away. I'm not really in a hurry to void the warranty, so my initial strategy is to learn what I can as it is now, at least within the warranty-period, and then think about upgrading afterwards. Does that make sense, or am I making it more difficult for myself by not upgrading?

"I was wondering about the extension module, and whether it would make sense to upgrade right away. I'm not really in a hurry to void the warranty, so my initial strategy is to learn what I can as it is now, at least within the warranty-period, and then think about upgrading afterwards. Does that make sense, or am I making it more difficult for myself by not upgrading?"  - Asbjorn

I assume you're talking about the ESPE01?  It removes coupling, so if you like sound that coupling gives you on the bass end then you shouldn't install it.  If you like the uncoupled "meow" (~tracking filter) sound and want a smoother bass field, then install it.

My YAEWSBM (link) is very similar, particularly version 2, and it has a jumper that pretty much defeats it and restores the coupling.  You could also vary the coupling by replacing the jumper with a capacitor.  You have to build it yourself, but it's pretty simple as transistor circuits go.

I'd say play your unmodified EW+ for a while and maybe try to demo an EW that has the module.  The EWS and EW+ are entry-level instruments, so I wouldn't get too crazy on them, nor would I dump a bunch of money into them.

dewster is right when he says that best is exploring the unmodified instrument first, perhaps until you had the occasion to attend a Theremin academy or to meet one of European Theremin teachers to learn at least a little playing technique, and until playing in tune and with a beautiful musical expression has become somewhat intuitive. Afterwards, you might think about upgrading your instrument. It’s like starting with a small Toyota after you got your driving license, the 500hp muscle car is for later.
Attending one of the many thereminist gatherings in Europe will also give you the opportunity to try out modified or upgraded instruments and to exchange with experienced musicians about the different options in practice.

Thanks, both of you! It was also my initial idea - nice to be confirmed!
I played an entry-level guitar for many years, until I played well enough that its limitations bothered me sufficiently

"I played an entry-level guitar for many years, until I played well enough that its limitations bothered me sufficiently"  - Asbjorn

I'm still playing entry-level guitars!  Old Washburn steel string & crappy Ibanez nylon.  Keep trying to talk myself into a Yamaha CG122MCH but fear I'm too much of a cheapskate.  And what I really (think I) want, no one makes (5 shorter nylon strings with aluminum angle-iron neck - basically remove the high E string and capo at 3rd fret, maybe double the G & B strings).

Yamaha make great budget westerns! Some of them sound way over their price range.

BTW, I'm messing around with finger positions (based on Carolina Eyck's book and videos), and it seems like I have to have an extremely narrow field in order to span an octave without moving my arm. Is that me doing something wrong, or just the nature of the beast?

"BTW, I'm messing around with finger positions (based on Carolina Eyck's book and videos), and it seems like I have to have an extremely narrow field in order to span an octave without moving my arm. Is that me doing something wrong, or just the nature of the beast?"  - Asbjorn

It's the nature of the beast.  If you have an analog Theremin and you want a linear pitch field, you usually end up with ~1 octave open/closed hand.  Whatever you do, don't breathe! :-)

I've got my (digital) Theremin set to 1/3 octave open/closed hand, which makes vibrato easier, and I don't have to stand stock still like a statue.  But I suppose it gets in the way of / precludes the use of the various aerial fingering techniques developed for higher sensitivities.  I keep my right thumb and index finger tips loosely together, with my other fingers out, in a relaxed "OK" (or, in these days of unabashed Nazis roaming the earth, "White Power") configuration.  I "flutter" my entire hand at the wrist for vibrato, and sometimes hinge my loose fingers all together at the main knuckles for quick note stepping.  I'm nowhere near as exact as many players, but have only been playing for ~1/2 year, and the pitch display and pitch correction make up for a lot of it.  And the pitch field on my Theremin is ruler flat, even at the antenna, which also really helps my playing.

If you pick slow pieces everything gets a lot easier!  And IMO you really need some kind of instantaneous pitch feedback, whether it be my visual display, pitch preview earphone, or speaker right behind your head.

I'm currently attempting octave jumps, and then a VERY slow Frere Jaques by moving my arm back and forth with the thumb/index-circle and clenched hand. I have rigged a tuner to the headphone-out and then the output to a Behringer V-Amp, so I can have some nice reverb and delay (and use headphones through that) 

I'm hard of hearing so this is actually an incredibly stupid choice of instrument, though still fun  But the more visual guidance I can have, the better! Which is why I like the idea of finger positions