Orchestra 2001 Hosts Touchless Theremin Activity 

Compose fun music or just create eerie sounds with the theremin electronic musical instrument at Cherry Street Pier. 

The theremin has been used in movie soundtracks, TV shows, in concert music (especially avant-garde and 20th- and 21st-century new music), as well as in popular music genres. (think “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys or “Incense” by Erykah Badu).

For a limited time, resident artists Orchestra 2001 are offering visitors the opportunity to make their own music using a theremin, positioned outside studio 8.

The theremin is controlled without physical contact by the thereminist (performer). It is named after its Russian inventor, Leon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928.

The instrument has two metal antennas that sense the relative position of the thereminist’s hands. One controls the oscillators for frequency, and the other amplitude (volume). The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a speaker.

The Moog Theremini at Studio 8 offers features like pitch correction and scale settings, which allows beginners to find pitches more easily.

To learn more, watch the Moog Theremini Tutorial with thereminist Lydia Kavina.

Loved testing out this fun instrument? Tag us on  Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter or by using the hashtag #MyPhillyWaterfront for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.