The distinctive, otherworldly sound of the theremin has captivated audiences and musicians across diverse genres since its invention in 1920. What genre uses theremin in music is a question that reveals this unique electronic instrument’s remarkable versatility across classical, horror film soundtracks, science fiction scores, rock music, experimental compositions, and contemporary electronic music productions.
The theremin’s ethereal tones and hands-free playing method have made it an iconic choice for composers and artists seeking to create atmospheric, haunting, or futuristic soundscapes across multiple musical styles.
The Birth of an Electronic Music Pioneer
Russian physicist Léon Theremin (born Lev Sergeyevich Termen) invented this groundbreaking electronic instrument in 1920 while working on proximity sensors for the Soviet government. The theremin operates through two metal antennas that detect the position of the performer’s hands in electromagnetic fields, controlling pitch and volume without any physical contact.
Theremin realized he had created an entirely new way of making music when he noticed that the sound his proximity detector made was reacting to how he moved his hands around the antennae. This accidental discovery led to the development of what would become one of the world’s first mass-produced electronic instruments.
Classical Music: The Theremin’s Concert Hall Debut
The theremin initially found its home in classical music performance. Clara Rockmore, a well-known thereminist, toured to wide acclaim, performing a classical repertoire in concert halls around the United States, often sharing the bill with bass-baritone Paul Robeson.
Notable classical compositions featuring the theremin include:
Bohuslav Martinů’s “Fantasia for Theremin, Oboe, Piano, and String Quartet” (1945), Joseph Schillinger’s “First Airphonic Suite for Theremin and Orchestra” (1929), and Edgar Varèse’s “Ecuatorial” for bass voice, theremin, and percussion (1934).
Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich was one of the first to incorporate parts for the theremin in orchestral pieces, including a use in his score for the film Odna (1931). These early classical applications established the theremin as a legitimate orchestral instrument capable of expressing complex musical ideas.
Horror and Science Fiction Film Scores: The Theremin’s Golden Age
The theremin found its most iconic application in horror and science fiction film soundtracks. The theremin’s unsettling frequencies have consequently been relegated to the role of a kooky sound effect and its usage has become a film-music cliché associated with science fiction and horror films: flying saucers menacing the skies, hostile visitors from other worlds, and cobwebbed mansions haunted by restless phantoms.
Pioneering Film Composers
Miklós Rózsa, the composer who pioneered the use of the instrument in Hollywood scores, used the theremin in Spellbound, The Lost Weekend, and The Red House. During the 1940s period the instrument was used primarily to signify instability, especially in “psychological thrillers” and film noir to emphasize that a character on screen was of unsound mind.
Key films that established the theremin’s sci-fi credentials include The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) – One of the first science fiction films to use the theremin, with the instrument heard in the first scene showing the aliens emerging from their spaceship, The Thing from Another World (1951) – Featured a tense and ominous score with the theremin setting the mood of mystery and fear, and Forbidden Planet (1956) – Louis and Bebe Barron’s electronic score for this groundbreaking science fiction film was entirely created with custom-built electronic circuits, including a theremin.
Rock Music: Adding Otherworldly Elements
While less common than in film scores, the theremin has made significant contributions to rock music. Jimmy Page has been making the theremin his own since 1969, popularising the Sonic Wave theremin – a contraption that can be plugged directly into one’s guitar – as heard in the classic “Whole Lotta Love.”
Notable Rock Applications
Led Zeppelin – ’60s rock anthem, Whole Lotta Love, features the theremin as part of the overall driving rock texture of the song, with Led Zeppelin making an especial feature of the instrument during their iconic 1973 Madison Square Garden live concerts.
The Beach Boys – The Beach Boys’ 1966 single “Good Vibrations”—though it does not technically contain a theremin—is the most frequently cited example of the instrument in pop music, featuring a similar-sounding instrument invented by Paul Tanner called an Electro-Theremin.
The Pixies – Rockers Pixies used the theremin to help generate the build into the strong guitar riff that opens their song “Velouria” on the album Bossanova.
Electronic and Experimental Music
The theremin’s electronic nature makes it a natural fit for experimental and electronic music genres. The Theremin’s inherent strangeness and unconventional playing method make it a natural fit for experimental music, with composers pushing the boundaries of sound often embracing the Theremin for its unique timbre and expressive possibilities.
Contemporary Electronic Artists
The experimental electronic studio album of French musician and composer Jean-Michel Jarre entered the mainstream, bringing with it smooth synths and nostalgically futuristic sounds, including that of the theremin. Modern artists continue to explore the theremin’s potential in electronic compositions, often using digital processing to expand its sonic capabilities.
Artists and bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have used the theremin to enhance their music’s emotional and sonic depth. These applications demonstrate how the instrument can add atmospheric layers and vintage character to contemporary electronic productions.
Progressive Rock and Psychedelic Music
The Theremin’s space-age allure made it a perfect fit for progressive rock and psychedelic music, where experimentation and unconventional sounds were embraced. The instrument’s ability to create sustained, gliding tones aligns perfectly with the exploratory nature of these genres.
Artists in this category often use the theremin to create soundscapes that transport listeners to different realms, fitting the psychedelic goal of expanding consciousness through music.
Space Age Pop and Exotica
During the Space Age, the Theremin found a place in the burgeoning genre of Space Age Pop and Exotica music, contributing to its futuristic and escapist aesthetic. This mid-20th century movement embraced the theremin’s sci-fi associations to create music that evoked space exploration and exotic locations.
The instrument’s ethereal qualities perfectly complemented the era’s fascination with atomic age aesthetics and the promise of technological advancement.
Contemporary Applications and Modern Genres
In the 21st century, the theremin continues to find new applications across various genres. In the 21st century, the Theremin continues to captivate musicians and audiences alike, with its unique timbre finding its way into the works of artists like the Pixies, Radiohead, Portishead, and Jack White, showcasing its enduring relevance in contemporary music.
Modern Usage Examples
Portishead – The song “The Rip” features the theremin playing the role of underpinning and grounding the whole song.
Television Soundtracks – Recent uses include composer Natalie Holt’s incorporation of the theremin into the Disney+ original series Loki soundtrack, giving the show an atmosphere that is both futuristic and nostalgic.
For music enthusiasts interested in discovering more theremin-infused compositions, exploring curated collections of songs can provide excellent examples of how this unique instrument enhances different musical styles.
The Theremin’s Technical Advantages Across Genres
The instrument’s unique technical characteristics make it valuable across multiple genres:
Continuous Pitch Control – Unlike fixed-pitch instruments, the theremin allows for seamless glissandos and microtonal expressions. Dynamic Range – The volume antenna provides instant control over dynamics without affecting pitch. No Physical Limitations – The hands-free approach allows for sustained notes impossible on wind or string instruments. Electronic Processing Compatibility – Modern theremins work excellently with effects pedals and digital processing.
When considering audio equipment for theremin performance or recording, specialized headphones and earbuds designed for electronic music can help capture the instrument’s full frequency range and subtle tonal variations.
The Future of Theremin in Music
Advancements in technology have given rise to digital Theremin emulations, allowing a new generation of musicians to explore its sonic possibilities without the need for the physical instrument. This technological evolution ensures the theremin’s continued relevance across emerging musical genres.
Modern composers and producers are finding new ways to integrate theremin sounds into hip-hop, ambient music, and even dance music, proving that this century-old instrument remains remarkably adaptable to contemporary musical trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a theremin and how is it played?
The theremin is an electronic musical instrument controlled without physical contact by the performer. Two metal antennas detect hand position to control pitch and volume through electromagnetic fields. The right hand controls pitch by moving closer or farther from the pitch antenna, while the left hand controls volume using the volume antenna.
Which music genre first used the theremin?
Classical music was the first genre to feature the theremin extensively. Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich incorporated it into orchestral pieces in the 1930s, and virtuoso performers like Clara Rockmore toured concert halls performing classical repertoire throughout the United States.
Why is the theremin associated with horror and sci-fi movies?
The theremin’s otherworldly, wavering tone creates an inherently alien and unsettling quality perfect for creating suspenseful atmospheres. Its no-contact playing method reinforces associations with the supernatural and futuristic, making it ideal for films featuring extraterrestrial themes or psychological tension.
Can the theremin be used in modern pop music?
Yes, the theremin has been successfully integrated into modern pop, rock, and electronic music. Famous examples include Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” (using an electro-theremin), and contemporary artists like Radiohead and Portishead who use it to enhance emotional depth and create atmospheric textures.
What makes the theremin unique compared to other electronic instruments?
The theremin’s most distinctive feature is being played without physical contact, making it the only instrument controlled entirely through hand gestures in electromagnetic fields. This creates unlimited expressive possibilities for pitch bending, vibrato, and dynamic control impossible with traditional keyboard or string-based electronic instruments.
Are there different types of theremins for different genres?
While the basic theremin design remains consistent, modern variants include the Sonic Wave theremin (which can connect to guitar amplifiers for rock music), digital theremin emulations for electronic music production, and traditional analog theremins preferred for classical and film score applications.