Sound Field

- Here's a riddle for you.

How do you play an instrument without touching it?

(theremin music) This eerie sound was made by an instrument called the theremin, an electronic instrument that creates other-worldly tones.

Its distinct sound was popularized by sci-fi scores during the 1950s.

But the theremin is unlike any other instrument.

Because instead of touching it, you manipulate electromagnetic fields around it.

The theremin has not only shaped the iconic soundscapes of classic science fiction films such as 1951's "The Thing from Another World!"

And 1953's "It Came From Outer Space."

It also laid the groundwork for electronic music as we know it now.

But how did this touchless instrument go from a 20th century Russian physicist's lab to being an integral part of electronic music's evolution?

(theremin music) Today's music is dominated by synths and electronic instruments.

While many of these songs aren't using a theremin, the electronic instruments that they employ are descendants of the theremin.

(upbeat music) Hot To Go's instrumentation is a prime example of how modern music is influenced by the synth wave era.

But there's more to it than a similar sound.

Robert Moog, the creator of the first commercial synthesizer, got his start building theremins.

- He also continued making theremins in his later years as well, and he actually designed more models of theremins than he did synthesizer.

Most people don't know that.

- So where did the theremin come from?

And more importantly, how was it made?

For starters, the theremin didn't start off as an instrument at all.

In the early 20th century, a young Russian physicist named Lev Sergeyevich Termen, also known as Leon Theremin, was experimenting with radio frequency oscillators.

The theremin was initially designed to be a measuring implement for determining the density of gases.

Leon decided to replace a needle and meter with an Audion oscillator, which accidentally produced sounds in his laboratory as he moved his hands around the device.

- All right, so Linda, this is how the theremin works, just in a nutshell.

So you see this antenna?

- Mm hmm.

- This is the pitch antenna.

So we control this with our right hand, and these are really like where the notes are.

(theremin sounds) Okay, so closer to your body are the lower notes.

And closer to the antenna are the higher notes.

Left hand antenna down here, this is the volume antenna.

So we raise our right hand up, or our left hand up and down, (theremin sounds) to get volume, or to mute it, right?

So it's kind of like an action of like rubbing your head or rubbing your tummy and patting your head because you're going sideways, and up and down at the same time.

- One of the most well-known thereminsts was Clara Rockmore, a classically trained violinist from Lithuania who became a theremin virtuoso in the 1930s.

Rockmore's adaptations of classical works showcased the theremin's unique ability to mimic the human voice and string instruments.

Then there was Samuel Hoffman.

Originally a concert violinist, he helped bring the theremin into popular music and Hollywood films during the 1940s and 50s.

Hoffman's theremin work became synonymous with suspense and science fiction films.

His collaborations with Oscar-winning film composers like Miklos Rozsa and Bernard Herrmann, added an other-worldly quality to scores.

The theremin kind of has this spooky reputation, and can you talk a little bit about why you think that is?

- Because it's very like ethereal, slash, it sounds kind of alien-like anyway.

It sounds kind of voice-like, kind of string-like, and yet not.

You can tell that it's not human.

- Do thereminists welcome that stereotype, I guess?

Or is it something that they're like, "No, the theremin is way more than this."

- I like it both ways.

Like I totally love to embrace the witchy side of it.

And also I like to bring it to an orchestra and play it very professionally.

- By the end of the 50s, the theremin started falling out of favor with musicians because there were easier to play electric instruments available on the market.

But they were still popular with a niche audience, including a young Robert Moog.

Robert Moog was born in 1934.

And from a young age, he was captivated by electronics and music.

This fascination led him to the theremin.

Moog was intrigued by the theremin's ability to make music using electromagnetic fields.

He saw its potential not just as a novelty, but as a gateway to new musical possibilities.

- At about 14, 15 years old, Bob stumbled upon an article on how to build your own theremin in a hobbyist magazine.

He just fell in love with, of course, the magical interface that everyone falls in love with.

- [Linda] In 1954, while still a student, Moog started his own business, R.A. Moog Company, selling theremin kits by mail order.

These kits allowed enthusiasts to build their own theremins at home, making the instrument more accessible to a wider audience.

- In the fall of 1963, so just a couple years later, a young gentleman approached him named Herb Deutsch, and he approached Bob and said, "Hey, I have one of your theremins, but there are sounds in my head that I really want to integrate into my compositions, and they're just not achievable.

- Inspired by the theremin, Moog strived to create an instrument that offered even greater sonic possibilities.

In 1964, Moog worked with musician Wendy Carlos to create the Moog synthesizer, a groundbreaking invention that changed the music industry forever.

Unlike the theremin, the synthesizer featured a keyboard interface, making it more intuitive to musicians.

It used voltage-controlled oscillators and filters to shape sound, allowing for an unprecedented range of tones and textures.

The Moog synthesizer quickly became a favorite among composers and performers, used in everything from avant garde compositions to popular music.

Iconic albums like Wendy Carlos' "Switched-on Bach," and The Beatles' "Abbey Road" showcased the synthesizer's versatility and creativity.

Moog's innovations laid the groundwork for the modern music landscape, inspiring generations of artists to push the boundaries of what music can be.

Synthesizers and other electronic instruments provided musicians with greater control over sound production, and a wider array of tonal possibilities.

These innovations gradually overshadowed the theremin, which was often seen as difficult to master and limited in scope.

- To play the theremin, you have to have a good ear.

You have to be able to keep a key.

Because you don't have any point of reference.

Literally, you're conjuring notes out of thin air.

- In the 1960s and 70s, the theremin found a new home in the world of rock music.

Frank Zappa was known for his avant-garde approach to music.

And the theremin was a perfect fit for his unconventional style.

(upbeat music) Ah Another iconic musician who utilized the theremin was Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.

He incorporated the theremin into live performances, most notably during the song, "Whole Lotta Love."

(theremin music) Despite the relative obscurity of the theremin, there are several musicians like Caroline Scruggs, who are finding new ways to incorporate the theremin into their music.

- I really think of it as, and use it as my second voice.

I like to do all kinds of things.

I'll hook it up to my loop stations and create loops of these really haunting, long melodic lines, and then mix those with my voice, and get this really interesting texture, combination of all of these different voices, and you can't really tell which is human, and which is theremin.

(haunting music) I also have another project, it's called Playing the Air, where I'm taking it with me to really beautiful, breathtaking natural landscapes, with the idea that I bring it out, I set it up, and then I kind of intuit the landscape around me, like, okay, if this space had a voice of its own, what would it sound like?

(theremin music) - A prominent figure in the current age of theremin music is Carolina Eyck.

Born in Germany, Eyck is considered one of the leading theremin virtuosos of our time.

Her technical skill and artistry have redefined what's possible on this unique instrument.

Eyck guest performed with renowned orchestras worldwide, bringing the theremin to new audiences, and elevating its status as a serious musical instrument.

Other artists like Lydia Kavina and Pamelia Stickney have also gained recognition for pushing the instrument forward.

- It presents like this really rare opportunity.

It's almost like a gift.

It can fit into a lot of different spaces, and it can also be the impetus to create new spaces in music.

- While the theremin's distinctive sound is still appreciated by enthusiasts and niche musicians, it has largely been replaced by instruments that offer more flexibility and ease of use.

But despite its decline in mainstream popularity, the theremin remains an iconic symbol of musical innovation.

Before you go, if you're a fan of history, we wanna tell you about two new series over on PBS Origins.

"In the Margins" explores the kind of lesser known stories they don't teach you in school.

And "Roots of Resistance" shows how history is often made through defiance.

We'll put a link to the latest episode below.