Hey all! You can track my progress here (http://www.youtube.com/carport888). I just uploaded some messing-around-on-the-Theremin videos from today. Tomorrow will be my three week mark for Thereminizing! Check it out!
carport888 Progress
Posted: 9/12/2007 1:49:46 PM
I uploaded an experimental video a few days ago where I use my head to play 'Greensleeves' on the Theremin. You can check it out from my youtube page (http://www.youtube.com/carport888).
Also, any feedback on technique, critique, compliments(...) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! It seems that I need to let go of the 'camera shock' when I record. My practice sessions before and after a video always seem to be more relaxed, and therefore better (seemingly) sounding. Therefore, logic would dictate to just stay relaxed while playing, whether for an audience or not.
I should make a close-up video of my hands when I play, so I can get critique on that as well. It seems that every time I sit down (stool is more steady than my standing so far) to practice, my technique evolves a little bit more. First, it was wave my hand wherever I thought the note sounded good. Then, it went into a sort of two finger and thumb 'cobra strike' toward the pitch rod. Then it turned into a 'door knob turn' operation directly to the left of the antenna. Then, it moved toward a 'Randy (youtube/ooo6) style finger pump method'. Currently, it's a 'squish and release stress ball' method that seems to be working. Then again, each new variation on technique seems to work better, but I'm not sure if it's the technique or just my increasing comfort level with the instrument. I tend to be leaning toward the latter on that one, although it's most likely a combination of both.
Stance: My stance seems to sway involuntarily, no matter how I stand. I've tried 'straight up', 'feet apart', 'crouching tiger', 'lean in' (amongst others) but can not seem to get rid of the swaying, even if only minimal. Then again, it could be due to the fact that I usually practice late at night, when I should probably be in bed. So, I got myself a stool to sit on. This helps me stay quite steady so I can focus on intonation. However, I am concerned that I may become dependant on the stool and would therefore need to bring it everywhere I play. Does this sound like something that could happen, or should I just not worry about it and stand whenever I'm not tired?
Tuning: Even after the Theremin is reasonably 'warmed up', I find myself constantly fine tuning. Everytime I shift my weight, it seems I have to retune! I might make a video where I play a song strictly by turning the pitch knob! The Theremin is certainly the most sensitive and tempermental instrument I have ever played. Every tiny movement of anything affects everything else!
I think that's it for now, but if I think of anything else, I'll be sure to post it!
Also, any feedback on technique, critique, compliments(...) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! It seems that I need to let go of the 'camera shock' when I record. My practice sessions before and after a video always seem to be more relaxed, and therefore better (seemingly) sounding. Therefore, logic would dictate to just stay relaxed while playing, whether for an audience or not.
I should make a close-up video of my hands when I play, so I can get critique on that as well. It seems that every time I sit down (stool is more steady than my standing so far) to practice, my technique evolves a little bit more. First, it was wave my hand wherever I thought the note sounded good. Then, it went into a sort of two finger and thumb 'cobra strike' toward the pitch rod. Then it turned into a 'door knob turn' operation directly to the left of the antenna. Then, it moved toward a 'Randy (youtube/ooo6) style finger pump method'. Currently, it's a 'squish and release stress ball' method that seems to be working. Then again, each new variation on technique seems to work better, but I'm not sure if it's the technique or just my increasing comfort level with the instrument. I tend to be leaning toward the latter on that one, although it's most likely a combination of both.
Stance: My stance seems to sway involuntarily, no matter how I stand. I've tried 'straight up', 'feet apart', 'crouching tiger', 'lean in' (amongst others) but can not seem to get rid of the swaying, even if only minimal. Then again, it could be due to the fact that I usually practice late at night, when I should probably be in bed. So, I got myself a stool to sit on. This helps me stay quite steady so I can focus on intonation. However, I am concerned that I may become dependant on the stool and would therefore need to bring it everywhere I play. Does this sound like something that could happen, or should I just not worry about it and stand whenever I'm not tired?
Tuning: Even after the Theremin is reasonably 'warmed up', I find myself constantly fine tuning. Everytime I shift my weight, it seems I have to retune! I might make a video where I play a song strictly by turning the pitch knob! The Theremin is certainly the most sensitive and tempermental instrument I have ever played. Every tiny movement of anything affects everything else!
I think that's it for now, but if I think of anything else, I'll be sure to post it!
Posted: 9/12/2007 4:44:02 PM
I always thought hand capacitance was a factoid and your head technique backs that up. lol
That was an inspirational video with an excellent demonstration of your skills.
I added your YouTube link to my RS Theremin webpage titled “The Illusion”.
Christopher
That was an inspirational video with an excellent demonstration of your skills.
I added your YouTube link to my RS Theremin webpage titled “The Illusion”.
Christopher
Posted: 9/12/2007 5:02:34 PM
Cool! Thanks for the add and the compliments! Sweet webpage, by the way. I love your Cello effect, very cool!
Posted: 9/13/2007 6:58:57 PM
Near the end of that 'Head' inspiring song: you touched the Theremin! FOR SHAME! And on It's under-rod, too!
Hee-Hee! Keep up the smoking stoke of enthusiasm.
Good Luck!
teslatheremin
Hee-Hee! Keep up the smoking stoke of enthusiasm.
Good Luck!
teslatheremin
Posted: 9/13/2007 7:07:15 PM
Ha, I couldn't resist. The Theremin is SUCH a tease...
"Hi there, don't I look pleasing to play? You better not touch me, though!"
"Hi there, don't I look pleasing to play? You better not touch me, though!"
Posted: 9/17/2007 3:18:52 AM
New Video here (http://www.youtube.com/carport888). It's the Star Trek Theme. I know, I just couldn't resist, though! It started out to be a different song, but my breathing got in the way a lot and my arms started to get tired...well, you'll see.
I was trying something new. I played it cross-armed. It's quite the workout just to keep holding my arms up like that as I play. And since my arms went right in front of me, my breathing kept moving my arms! It was supposed to be 'O Holy Night', but my arms just got too tired after 20 minutes of breathing screw-ups. I finally just said 'forget it' and switched to Star Trek. It's so tempting to rest one arm on top of the other, but I had to resist, since the other arm was working the volume...
I was trying something new. I played it cross-armed. It's quite the workout just to keep holding my arms up like that as I play. And since my arms went right in front of me, my breathing kept moving my arms! It was supposed to be 'O Holy Night', but my arms just got too tired after 20 minutes of breathing screw-ups. I finally just said 'forget it' and switched to Star Trek. It's so tempting to rest one arm on top of the other, but I had to resist, since the other arm was working the volume...
Posted: 10/1/2007 4:03:13 AM
New video here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZYa_QUojoA) It's me messing around to a karaoke of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Something I like to do for practice is have someone name random songs or TV/movie themes for me to play right there on the spot. It helps keep me alert and learn each notes' relationship to one another better. Maybe I'll post a video of that sometime, too.
Something I like to do for practice is have someone name random songs or TV/movie themes for me to play right there on the spot. It helps keep me alert and learn each notes' relationship to one another better. Maybe I'll post a video of that sometime, too.
Posted: 10/7/2007 4:42:00 PM
Another week, another video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt8y8qs88vU). This week, I experiment with multi track theremin to the tune of 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles.
Tuning: I've come up with a way to fine tune that I haven't really seen anyone use. Perhaps it's not new, perhaps it's stupid and I just don't know it. Comments and suggestions are welcome. The method is to use something somewhat conductive to place on the top of the Theremin. Then, you can move the item further and closer to the pitch rod to adjust the playing field. I have found that this can tune much smaller intervals than moving the pitch dial, which seems a bit too sensitive for really small adjustments. Does anyone know if this would change the relationshop of the notes from one another (adjust the rate of linearity progression)? Probably not...hopefully it won't...
Let me know what you think. Hope you enjoy! :)
Tuning: I've come up with a way to fine tune that I haven't really seen anyone use. Perhaps it's not new, perhaps it's stupid and I just don't know it. Comments and suggestions are welcome. The method is to use something somewhat conductive to place on the top of the Theremin. Then, you can move the item further and closer to the pitch rod to adjust the playing field. I have found that this can tune much smaller intervals than moving the pitch dial, which seems a bit too sensitive for really small adjustments. Does anyone know if this would change the relationshop of the notes from one another (adjust the rate of linearity progression)? Probably not...hopefully it won't...
Let me know what you think. Hope you enjoy! :)
Posted: 11/27/2007 7:25:20 AM
Finally, a new video that I am somewhat proud of. You can check it out here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1kNgjn4-_E).
It's a cover of Winifred Horan's 'Just One Wish'. I also included a link to a sample of the original (http://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Wish-Winifred-Horan/dp/B00006JSEP/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1196165320&sr=8-2) (in the comments) on the video's page. It's not perfect, but any suggestions for improvement or constructive criticism is more than welcome.
It's a cover of Winifred Horan's 'Just One Wish'. I also included a link to a sample of the original (http://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Wish-Winifred-Horan/dp/B00006JSEP/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1196165320&sr=8-2) (in the comments) on the video's page. It's not perfect, but any suggestions for improvement or constructive criticism is more than welcome.
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