theremin
An electronic instrument played without physical contact, using two metal antennas to sense the position of the player's hands.
In Depth
Invented in 1920 by Russian physicist Léon Theremin, this instrument generates sound through two radio-frequency oscillators. One antenna controls pitch (the player's right hand moves closer or farther to raise or lower the note), while the other controls volume (the left hand moves toward it to decrease volume). The result is a continuous, wavering tone often described as an ethereal singing voice.
The theremin gained fame through science fiction film scores of the 1950s, most notably Bernard Herrmann's score for The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Clara Rockmore, a classically trained violinist, became its greatest virtuoso, demonstrating that the instrument was capable of far more than spooky sound effects. It also influenced the development of the Moog synthesizer, as Robert Moog began his career building theremins.
Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog synthesizer, started his career at age 14 by building theremins from a magazine article, selling them through mail order.