The Instrument You Play Without Touching

The theremin is a rare musical instrument that creates haunting sounds without the player ever touching it. By moving their hands through the air near two antennas, performers control pitch and volume using electromagnetic fields.

Invented in 1928, this instrument feels almost like magic to an audience. The performer stands in front of two metal rods, one sensing hand position for pitch and the other for volume. Because there are no keys or strings, it is incredibly difficult to master, often sounding like a human voice. You have likely heard its eerie, space-age tone in classic horror movies or science fiction soundtracks.