In this official Moog Music video, composer, thereminist, and co-founder of the NY Theremin Society Dorit Chrysler demonstrates how to get started with the new Moog Claravox theremin.
Topics covered:
00:00 Welcome
03:19 Positioning
03:06 Pitch Antenna Knob
04:42 Volume Antenna Knob
05:58 Calibration
06:55 Pitch Calibration
08:26 Volume Calibration
11:50 Volume Matching Between Traditional and Modern Mode
12:20 Analog Wave Shaper
14:23 Brightness Knob
15:22 Filter Knob
16:30 Delay
17:30 Delay Time
17:49 Delay Feedback
19:26 Software Editor
The Claravox Centennial was designed in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the invention of the theremin by Leon Theremin. It’s named after the original theremin virtuosa, Clara Rockmore.
The Claravox is one of the most advanced theremins ever created, pairing traditional analog theremin control with an onboard analog delay, preset storage and more.
Check out the video and share your thoughts on the Claravox in the comments!
How to cheat with the Claravox.
Rest your pitch hand on the volume antenna wooden support.
Place your hand close to the body of the Claravox, set your low note.
Slide your hand back and forth over the wooden support for steady play.
Lean it back and forth to play up and down from the center note.
Wiggle your hand for vibrato.
Try to remember where the note intervals are.- it is a short distance and is easier than you imagine.
Once you become proficient with this cheat, move your hand off the wooden support and lower it and repeat the same moves or intervals off the wooden support to play lower pitches. For higher notes raise your hand up off the wooden support and repeat the same moves or intervals.
Once you gain confidence by playing whatever simple tune you bought the theremin to play, such as “somewhere over the rainbow” or “the swan” by cheating, explore all the other ways you can move you hand through the elbow, wrist and finger angles, because you play well, the more techniques you use the more you can do.
Notice I said angles, not finger positions. Your body moves based on angles. That is a faster processor than remembering finger positions and requires less thought which translates as faster and more accurate play.
My autumn leaves videos at YouTube demonstrate many techniques for easy, fast and accurate play. No, the song “The Autumn Leaves” are not part of the series.
Finally, play, do not work.
You may want something that sounds like a theremin, but those are limiting.