Musical instruments play without touching

The Theremin is perhaps one of the strangest musical instruments in the world. It has no keys, no strings, just two metal bars that the player doesn't even need to touch. They just need to move their hands near the instrument, and a strange vibrating sound that sounds a bit like an opera singer's voice will be heard.

Theremin was actually born from an incident. In 1919, young Russian physicist Lev Sergeyevich Termen (Western people often call him Léon Theremin) researched a high-frequency oscillator that he built to measure the dielectric constant of gases. When deciding to add an audio circuit for the device to emit audible sound, Termen found that it not only responded to the dielectric constant of the gas, but also to those around it. By changing the position of his hand or moving closer to the device, he could make it make strange noises.

When he invited scientists to gather around this incredible device for a demonstration, Termen realized he had a new instrument. The next year, he was proficient enough on the instrument to give his first concert. Initially, he named the instrument etherphone. Then it was called theremin in America.

Theremin usually consists of a box with two metal antennas - one vertical and one horizontal. The player stands in front of the instrument and moves his hands near the two antennas, changing the capacitance of the electromagnetic fields they create. The electrical signal from the antenna is then amplified and transmitted to the speaker.

The antennas are connected so that the vertical antenna controls pitch and the horizontal loop antenna controls volume. As the hand gets closer to the antenna, the pitch (or volume) gets higher. As the hand moves away from the antenna, the pitch (or volume) becomes lower. By making small, quick movements with their hands, professional theremin players can create melodious music.

After a meeting with Vladimir Lenin, Termen was sent across Russia to demonstrate the new instrument and promote the country's electrification. Termen attracted large crowds wherever he went. Lenin then sent Termen on a tour to Europe and America to introduce Russian technology. The performances were admired by many viewers.

"The Theremin attracted huge crowds, because it was interesting to see this man standing in front of what looked like a small wooden table with two metal antennas, just raising his hands in the air and making melodies that sounded like a soprano voice. At that time, people considered this to be magic," explains Albert Glinsky, author of the book Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage.

Termen eventually reached an agreement with RCA (Radio Corporation of America) to produce the new instrument as a commercial project. RCA introduces this as "the easiest musical instrument to play", but in reality, playing the theremin is not simple. With no frets or visible reference points, the instrument requires years of practice to master. It is therefore not surprising that RCA sold fewer than 500 instruments and the project became a financial disaster.

Afterwards, during the long period of Theremin's return to Russia and absence from the West, the theremin's influence spread further. Hollywood composers began using it to create soundtracks for psychological thrillers and science fiction films such as Music out of the Moon, It Came from Outer Space, The Lost Weekend, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Mars Attacks.

The Theremin is still a little-known musical instrument, partly because it is difficult to master. However, millions of people heard its sound through famous bands in the 60s and 70s such as Led Zepplin, The Beach Boys or Rolling Stones.

Thu Thao (According to Amusing Planet)