AETHERPHON, global theremin family

Thanks for the props, folks. It's nice to know I'm not alone with  
this way of thinking.

Like Gordon, I *can* play in tune - I've got a pretty good ear - but  
I take my inspiration from improvisational jazz solos and free-form  
vocal riffs like Pink Floyd's "Great Gig in the Sky", instead of  
Debussy nocturnes.   One of the first things I learned to play on my  
theremin was the theme from "Doctor Who."  (And as far as the violin  
goes, it was my first instrument - though I stopped playing when I  
was 11 years old.)

Like Carvin, I jam with my DJ friends, and create my own sequenced  
ambient grooves and play melody lines over them. I've got a Burns B3  
Deluxe and it has a great low end sound - swooping down from high  
wobbles to a floor rattling bass note gets a great crowd reaction! I  
flick the pitch antenna with my finger to get "laser shots", which  
would probably make Clara Rockmore scowl at me.

Jamming with DJs is great fun, especially with Trance, Ambient and  
Deep Bass grooves. That's a good way we "middle ground" theremin  
players can get out there and be heard by an audience.


On Feb 24, 2009, at 6:11 PM, Gordon Charlton wrote:

> 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
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> AETHERPHON, the global thereminist community
>
> To contact the moderator, e-mail porphyrous@...
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>