AETHERPHON, global theremin family

Carvin - that is the perfect call to arms! Thank you. :-)

Also great to hear your story - when people write about stuff that  
genuinely excites them it comes through and its a bit contagious.

Gordon

On 25 Feb 2009, at 01:21, carvin knowles wrote:

> Yeah, you can count me into that "Middle Field" space too.
>
> I'm glad for all you classical Thereminist, who help ad that kind  
> of validity to our instrument. To be certain, you guys help ensure  
> that the instrument will be studied by the "serious music"  
> community. I started out my life as a "serious" composer, with a  
> back-catalogue of dissonant orchestral works, so I get it.
>
> But when I took up the theremin, it was to use an instrument where  
> I had no classical technique, to play something appropriate with my  
> DJ friends, while they played Drum and Bass and House and Electro.  
> Sure, I can play in tune, but my technique would make Clara  
> Rockmore cringe. I play melodies. Riffs. Motifs. Fragments of  
> suggested orchestrations that trace the chord changes in some  
> dramatic way. I use long sweeps to carry one mix into another, I  
> create trills that widen into several octaves, I make bleeps and  
> noises that would make George Crumb proud.
>
> (Speaking of Crumb, some of you classical-heads should arrange a  
> performance of "Vox Bellanae" sometime. It is sure to bring our art  
> forward, if you use it in such a "modernist" ensemble)
>
> But my point is that as a Middle Field Thereminista, my style would  
> probably be called Electronic Jazz (a few years back I even played  
> at the House of Blues, New Orleans). I think I 'm with that part of  
> the Middle Field which makes the theremin socially relevant. The  
> way that Eric Satie performed in the Salons of Paris. The way that  
> Jazz took root in the brothels and underground dance clubs of New  
> Orleans and New York before it went mainstream.
>
> And yes, I also love the classical guys...and the novelties and the  
> academics and the headbangers. I can't get enough theremin, pretty  
> or ugly or funny. Just play the damn thing.
>
> And that is kinda the deal with a convention of this sort. The  
> "Middle Field" needs to show up and represent. It's you guys who  
> should be putting together the afterparties. The Jam sessions. It's  
> a convention, so bust out your cool stuff. Besides, if you learn  
> anything from the classical guys, you'll want to use it right away.
>
> Peace
>
> Carvin