Always get a mp3 performance sample of the theremin model your going to invest in and listen for the qualities below. If no .mp3 samples exists that's a clue of a theremin you probably don't want. Musicians would proudly put up mp3 theremin samples if they thought their instrument sounded interesting and found it was playable. You will know in your first week if your instrument is your friend or it's a one way infatuation.

Voice: Bright, interesting or natural in sound (A little reverb acceptable, avoid heavy affects masking)

Pitch Control: Adjustable note spacing, distinct linear note response and most important it seems instinctually playable right from the start. (RS Ultimate-2b with Lev's Antenna ).

Volume Control:  Sound to silence has a good control window size, responsive & no background noise at Null. (Signal to Noise)


Environment can play havoc with any theremin; EMI electro-magnetic-interference from fluorescent lights, microwaves ovens, computers, AM radio stations, etc, are notorious for ruining a playing session.

Illusion: "Volume control creates a separation in notes?"  This can be true but normally it is the change in rapid hand positions that audibly breaks the notes apart whether it be a single note or octave jump. Volume control gives theremin playing more of a quieting accent and staccato.

Illusion:  "Aerial fingering looks really difficult & fancy"  It is as difficult as you or your theremin model makes it. Whether your hand is forward or sideways, it gives the musician a way of selecting the distance from the forward point of their fingers to the antenna. For this to work accurately your body must remain perfectly still. Different distances to the antenna generate the different notes and octaves. A change of 1/2" (13 mm) more or less is a note change!

Illusion: "Adjusting your note spread by the Null Point"  Don't just tune a null point which creates the unwanted theremin note spread of any length. Environment changes where the null will occur. You adjust the distance of a specific note from your hand to the antenna, like A2 - 220hz at 16" (40 cm). This will keep the note spacing reasonably predictable. If your theremin has a linear note spread you adjust the octave width to match your hand size for aerial fingering.

Illusion:  "Attempting to mimic another artist" Unless you had the same theremin with identical note spacing & volume response this would be pointless! Notice that different advanced Thereminist on different models have their own style of play to adapt comfortably to a specific theremin.