AETHERPHON, global theremin family

welcome to the theremin community.

Most everyone learns this instrument on their own without a teacher as a teacher is hard to find.

Most people will be able to play recognizable tunes within a year of play - that is when OTHER people can recognize the tune, not the player. There are those who take to it rather quickly and manage to do a lot more in a short amount of time such as Thomas Grillo, Thereminminstrel and Yeapystar, but those are exceptions. It is very difficult to play in the classical style so one may consider just doing it with a synthesizer, which is easy and accurate.

Two of the most difficult challenges is to stand still (sitting is easier) and holding the pitch hand steady. 

Available commercial theremin models:

http://www.moogmusic.com/theremin/?section=product&product_id=14
http://www.soundslikeburns.com/
http://harrisoninstruments.com/302/302_description.html

The last one uses horizontal antennas which requires a different playing style. switching from vertical pole antenna playing to horizontal antenna playing and vice versa is difficult.

You can play music either way.

In addition to a theremin you will need an amplifier or PA speaker such as the pole mounted JBL EONs or MACKIE powered speakers. To start out with a cheap guitar amp is sufficient until one knows whether or not one wants to continue. Pole mounted speakers are preferred because theremins are easier to play in tune when you can locate your ears near their speaker.

A mixer is nice if you want to play along with accompaniment, prerecorded or from a synthesizer.

Effects, reverb, distortion and delay are also desirable but the delay is helpful in learning to play the instrument so I would recommend it first. A delay pedal helps you keep on pitch and allows to lay down a drone or a pattern to play over which gives one a reference by which to play in tune better.

Most of the best players use "aerial fingering" based on Clara Rockmore's style and their are DVDs available to teach this style of play. The hand positions are a convenient way to symbolize note positions. It really doesn't matter to the instrument how you hold your fingers and hand, just how much of it is how close to the antenna.

You might want to think about what kinds of music you want to play and the more you play the better you will get but that increases if you are fortunate enough to have other musicians to play with.

Finally, the "offness" of the theremin is its primary charm as this makes it more human than a precise rock steady pitch and volume.

rupert