AETHERPHON, global theremin family

On 24 Feb 2009, at 19:01, Joseph Swails wrote:

> Too bad I'm across the big pond (and a big land mass) in the USA.
> I've been to the UK three times but it's not in the cards (or the
> budget) right now.
>
> I do like the emphasis you're putting on the theremin as an
> electronic music instrument. I'm not a classical player (ambient
> electronic is my thing), and often it seems like most thereminsts are
> classical geeks instead of techno-nerds like me. Nothing wrong with
> classical, of course, but all the "stars" are classical musicians.
>
> There is a middle ground between faithful performance of written
> classical music and making wild space noises with a heavy metal band.

I'm right there with you. You can date my musical background to 1976  
and a few years after. So Throbbing Gristle, PIL, The Fall, Pere Ubu,  
Residents, Eno - stuff with a great big DIY ethic. Then thirty years  
later I buy a theremin and start browsing theremin sites. And there's  
the stumbling block, right next to the starting block. Gotta play in  
tune. Recommended course of action - learn the violin, get ear  
training, get classically trained, practice your scales for a few  
years and live in Russia for a while, hanging out with Lydia. Then  
we'll find out if you're something special or another mediocre  
classical thereminist.

It didn't appeal to me. Make no mistake - I've got a ton of respect  
for the classical guys - that's a real challenge they take on, and  
good luck to them, but I preferred a different challenge - what can I  
do with a theremin that doesn't have the stumbling block and is more  
like the music I like. Been at it three and a third years so far...

Gordon