AETHERPHON, global theremin family

The gig went fine. Noisy, but I was able to hear myself playing about 
75% of the time. My daughter Sarah helped me key up tracks on the CD 
player. Lots of fun. Plenty of interest after the banquet was over. 
Demo'd for about half a dozen persons, including three young violin 
players whose father I know. They loved it.

I was asked to make some sound effects. I politely said "no", I don't 
do that with Gabriella.

Had a little nip (just a little one) before hand to take the edge off, 
plus Sarah being there was a BIG help. 

I am finding that the Tai Chi stance that Peter recommends works best 
when playing standing (no big news here).

Thanks

PHILIP

> PHILIP wrote:
> Noisy, but I was able to hear myself playing about
> 75% of the time.


That's what made me start putting my amp slightly behind me and to my right,
on an x-stand, at ear level. I was never quite able to convince sound guys
that if you can't hear, you can't play the theremin. Even with the theremin
fed through monitors, I still always have that amp next to my head.

Quoting Victoria Lundy <victoria@...>:

>> PHILIP wrote:
>> Noisy, but I was able to hear myself playing about
>> 75% of the time.
>
>
> That's what made me start putting my amp slightly behind me and to my right,
> on an x-stand, at ear level. I was never quite able to convince sound guys
> that if you can't hear, you can't play the theremin. Even with the theremin
> fed through monitors, I still always have that amp next to my head.
>
So true, Vic.  Sound people don't understand this unique requirement  
for thereminists.

I always provide my own speaker for the dry theremin signal that goes  
(as you mentioned) behind and to the right on a stand at ear level.

Philip, sounds like you had a good time at the gig.  When playing for  
a reception type event (as opposed to a concert setting) one must be  
prepared for a lot of noise.  Even in concert settings there is always  
the unexpected noise.

-- Kevin

The amount of noise was unexpected. I was unsure of who I was playing 
for or whether it mattered much. I've been looking to do something for 
some audible feedback but haven't really gotten around to it yet.

The worst part was people just walking through my playing field. When I 
saw them coming I'd just stop and wait.

Quoting kmg5443 <kmg5443@...>:
>
> The amount of noise was unexpected. I was unsure of who I was playing
> for or whether it mattered much. I've been looking to do something for
> some audible feedback but haven't really gotten around to it yet.
>
> The worst part was people just walking through my playing field. When I
> saw them coming I'd just stop and wait.
>

When I play somewhere new, I first scope out the playing area to  
determine the best way to protect the control zone from passer's by.   
There is no "rule" that says the theremin must face straight out  
towards the audience.

In some cases, I have positioned the theremin such that the loop faces  
the listening area, thus placing the rod away from the listeners and  
my torso at such an angle that people can see the pitch hand at work.

-- Kevin

Quoting kkissinger@...:

> Quoting kmg5443 <kmg5443@...m>:
>>
>> The amount of noise was unexpected. I was unsure of who I was playing
>> for or whether it mattered much. I've been looking to do something for
>> some audible feedback but haven't really gotten around to it yet.
>>
>> The worst part was people just walking through my playing field. When I
>> saw them coming I'd just stop and wait.
>>
>
> When I play somewhere new, I first scope out the playing area to
> determine the best way to protect the control zone from passer's by.
> There is no "rule" that says the theremin must face straight out
> towards the audience.
>
> In some cases, I have positioned the theremin such that the loop faces
> the listening area, thus placing the rod away from the listeners and
> my torso at such an angle that people can see the pitch hand at work.
>
> -- Kevin
>

As I re-read this a few thoughts come to mind...

First of all, congratulations to Philip for building Gabrella -- a  
theremin with a magical sound quality.  And another congratulations  
for getting "out there" and playing in public.  To play in public on  
theremin is not for the timid!

And in one performance, you've gained insight into dealing with:  
audience noise, control zone placement, possible improvements to your  
speaker setup so you can better hear yourself.  This is all practical  
stuff that one encounters when performing.  All the lessons and  
master-classes in the world can't substitute for the real,  
nuts-and-bolts issues of performance.  So hang in there, and keep  
performing!

-- Kevin

The Inactivists have proposed putting "CAUTION"  or "BIOLOGICAL HAZARD" tape
to rope off the playing field of the theremin. Not particularly classy for a
reception.

I've also put strategically positioned obstacles in the way to keep people
from walking right in front of me. Sometimes there's nothing to be done.
There's a video on youtube somewhere of me improvising at an art gallery
with Shawn Mlekush, a guitarist/sample artist, and stopping dead when two
people walk by. 

You really do LEARN a lot when you take your theremin out into the world for
the first time. I agree with Kevin -- nothing can substitute for battlefield
conditions. Congratulations on the first of many performances!

Vic