AETHERPHON, global theremin family

>>"elbow must be pointed" downwards? 
It took me a while to gain a good base position too. 
[Coming at it for "precision" or "melodic" playing.]
I suspect ultimately it's what works for you and is stable. 
to me it seems a lot of players hold it between a fist's width from the
ribs,  
up to almost a 60 degree(?) angle (a little past half way to being
horizontal). 
Some hold it horizontal and in front of the body,  
there are different technique approaches to it. 
What really waves the red flag for me is extra tension. 
 
For me I usually sense it in the forearms first,  
the shoulder and neck are good barometers too. 
When it's creeping in I find it best to stop 
take a breath or a step away to try to drop the extra tension 
until I can get back to my "zero position"  
and raise my hands to playing position keeping them "relaxed". 
Then start the piece again 
if I've repeated that already a few times and still got tense 
usually I'm either practicing it too fast  
or it's better just do some scales and exercises for a minute, 
or play through a standard I know well, 
to get back that sense of playing 
without the extra tension. 
 
hth - John
 
-----Original Message-----
From: spellbound-l@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spellbound-l@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of kmg5443
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 9:59 AM
To: spellbound-l@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [SPELLBOUND-L] Theremin Elbow



One thing I have noticed, and will have to work on, is that when I am 
really getting into it, my pitch arm (elbow) will go almost horizontal, 
so that my elbow is pointing to the right, and not at the ground. This 
causes me to cramp up pretty quick. Am I correct in saying that my 
elbow must be pointed towards Terra Firma????

Philip



 


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