You probably know the sound of the theremin, or aetherphone, from horror and sci-fi movies like "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "Mars Attacks!" That spooky oooEEEooooo.... that means something is about to leap out and take a bite of the hero? That's it.
Few instruments have the enduring pop-culture cachet of one of the world's first electronic instruments, developed by Russian inventor Léon Theremin and spread throughout the U.S. by sound pioneer Robert Moog. Musicians play the instrument by moving their hands near its antennae to change pitch and volume. Easy to learn but notoriously difficult to master, the theremin can imitate a variety of different sounds. For stories, news, information and more about this amazing instrument, visit thereminvox.com.
Plus, see it in action on YouTube:
- Gnarls Barkley tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW0B1sipLBI&NR=1
- Music from the film "Amelie": http://youtube.com/watch?v=d2tbdsblDFo
- Theme to "The Legend of Zelda": http://youtube.com/watch?v=nJYho56INKU
- Bonus — Cats love theremins: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hOL4sg4LPY0
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