I just had a chance to see the new Etherwave Pro “Beginning and Advanced Theremin Techniques” DVD. Some of it is excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn theremin.
First, if you’re looking for a step-by-step introduction to the theremin, this ain’t it. It is primarily a long discussion between Dr. Moog and a really brilliant thereminist, Pamelia Kurstin. They begin by discussing the new Pro and the history of Moog’s theremins. It turns out that I used to own one that he describes as the first ones he made while he was in high school.
They really don’t go into depth over the sound timbres the instrument is capable of achiving, but it sounds like the Pro really has the qualities anyone would need as a performance instrument. From what I could tell it sounds as rich as the original Moog theremin I owned, but the lower pitches don’t have the same bite, roar, or growl that my old tube monster had. I still kick myself for selling it, but those are the breaks.
The next major section consists of Dr. Moog and Ms. Kurstin discussing how she sets up the theremin. This is VERY imortant. It is the equivalent of tuning a guitar. If your guitar is out of tune it doesn’t matter how much time you spend practicing, you’re never going to really learn the instrument and it will not be fun to play. One of the important things I learned from this was setting the volume side so that you can go from silence to full volume in a space of just 6-8 inches or so. When you do it this way (instead of going for larger distances) you can more easily get both staccato and legato as opposed to the usual glissandos and quick (but not quick enough) volume changes.
Ms. Kurstin talks about things trained musicians might understand (but are not explained in the DVD) such as muscle memory. It is very interesting to watch her pitch hand (she is a lefty, so don’t get confused) and the way she moves it to get different pitches. It is similar to other players I’ve seen, but unique.
One of the things she talks about when playing different pitches is intuition. She compares playing theremin to singing. Singers don’t need keys or fret boards to hit various notes–with a little practice it becomes second nature…instinctual. If you watch her face instead of her hands, it appears to me that at times, as she plays, she literally goes into a trance. Her body/mind plays the music, not just her conscious.
She gives advice on how to learn and progress, and how and when to start adding vibrato. She even covers how she stands before the instrument.
That brings up another point which they hint at. The design of the Pro is the first one with a vertical orientation. The horizontal boxes (some of which, like the Ethervox, are quite large) can hide the performer. This version lets you be seen more clearly, a good thing in this MTV age.
The front of the Etherwave Pro (it looks to me like this was a prototype) is curved, and it appears that the lower knobs are more difficult to access as they are facing somewhat down. Two cables come out of the Pro, an AC cable (I imagine it has that horrible blob in the middle (sigh), and what appears to be a 1/4 inch cable for the sound. There are also some jacks for Pitch and Volume Control Voltages for controlling synths, but these were not shown.
I wonder, however, if this will be a problem…cables coming out of the bottom of the instrument? Are they not likely to be easily dislodged with the help of gravity? How many instruments do you have where the cables come out of the bottom? Well, time will tell if this is a positive or negative.
One of the unique things covered is a style in which Ms. Kurtin plays the theremin and gets sounds as if it is an upright bass. She even appears to be plucking strings with her pitch hand. It is a clever and specialized style which the box calls part of an “advanced lesson.”
The DVD ends with a performance of a contemporary piece of music (title? composer?) with Ms.Kurstin on the Pro and a find pianist, Makoto Ozone, on a Steinway. The piece is primarily slow and deliberate, reminding me, in ways, of “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” but with modernistic touches. For example, to get a more percussive sound, at one point Mr. Ozone reaches over and mutes the piano strings with one hand while playing with the other.
It is here that I was most disappointed with the DVD. I think most people who would use the DVD are not looking for an homage to MTV videography. But that’s what we got. Close up on a face (I wanted to see her hand!). Or a close up on the volume hand when the pitch hand was doing something incredible. There is a close up on Mr. Ozone when suddenly, with no preparation, the theremin starts to do harmony! What’s going on??? After a few moments we finally see Ms. Kurstin bent over adjusting some sort of digital looping box. What type? The screen says she uses one but doesn’t tell which one. Overall, the direction and cinematography is not very good, and the quality is that of home video. But if you expected George Lucas you are in the wrong place.
In summary, then, this is not a step-by-step instructional video. It is a valuable discussion of theremin theory and use by the world’s premier maker of theremins and a truly delightful (she’s very pixie-like), creative, and superior thereminist. If you’re looking for step-by-step drills, go elsewhere. However, if you know a little about music–perhaps if you play another instrument–this is an excellent introduction to the instrument with HINTS at how to play well. It showcases why the Pro is going to be THE theremin to have (in spite of its recent 50% increase in price-grrrr). And it suffers from poor direction/cinematography by someone who is clearly an MTV wannabe.
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best:
As a theremin tutor for a beginner: 4
As a theremin tutor for someone with a bit of experience with theremins and music: 7
As advice and tips for playing better and development of technique: 8
For information about the theremin: 5
Cinematography/direction: 4
If you have a theremin other than the Pro, this DVD’s value: 7
If you are going to get a Pro, this DVD’s value:9
Chance you will immediately fall in love with Pamelia Kurstin: 10
Chance you will want to get some music featuring her: 10
