Theremin

During physics lesson we were learning about capacitors, and we were showed a video of a Theremin. Invented in 1928, it is an electronic musical instrument that requires no contact. One hand controls the volume, while the other controls the pitch. Apparently it all has something to do with capacitors. When the distance between the hand and the instrument is increased, the pitch decreases; and the shape of the hand plays a part too, due to different surface areas.

It looks really challenging. Like trombones and string instruments, the pitch is over a continuous range, which might lead to undesirable slides in pitch, which means that the performer's hands have to change very fast. And there is no physical feedback other than the sound, unlike strings, when you can rely on feeling the tension or vibration. So I suppose muscle memory is extremely important.

This one sounds very space-like, imagine trying communicate with an alien.

The classic, the Swan.

Rachaminov's Vocalise

I guess that's about it, some people say that the strings are the hardest musical instrument to learn, but I think that the difficulty to master the Theremin is comparable.

I find it really cool.