Physics of the Theremin

Skeldon, K. D.; Reid, Lindsay M.; McInally, Viviene; Dougan, Brendan; Fulton, Craig K.

doi:10.1119/1.19004

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, in an affine/projective framework, the distances would take into account the perspective effect. For the theremin, there is a linear interval preceded and followed by nonlinear distribution of pitch (Skeldon et al, 1998). The conceptual analogy still holds.…”

Section: Tonnetz and Theremin: Thinking Geometrically To Investigate mentioning

confidence: 96%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Dense Geometry of Music and Visual Arts: Vanishing Points, Continuous Tonnetz, and Theremin Performance

Mannone¹,

Iaccarino²,

Iembo³

2018

steam

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The dualism between continuous and discrete is relevant in music theory as well as in performance practice of musical instruments. Geometry has been used since longtime to represent relationships between notes and chords in tonal system. Moreover, in the field of mathematics itself, it has been shown that the continuity of real numbers can arise from geometrical observations and reasoning. Here, we consider a geometrical approach to generalize representations used in music theory introducing continuous pitch. Such a theoretical framework can be applied to instrument playing where continuous pitch can be naturally performed. Geometry and visual representations of concepts of music theory and performance strengthen the relationship between music and images: in this way, we can connect a theremin or violin performance with a study on perspective, always through mathematical ideas and paradigms. So can math explain musical concepts, and, on the contrary, can music explain mathematical concepts? Can music and math together give rise to visual arts in ever more innovative ways? In this paper, we try to connect different topics such as musical performance on instruments with continuous pitch, and the paradigm of geometry and continuity.

show abstract

Section: Tonnetz and Theremin: Thinking Geometrically To Investigate mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The theremin is the first electronic instrument, invented in 1919. It still inspires performers, composers, and scientists (Skeldon et al, 1998). It is not a case that it was invented by a physicist and cellist, after a sequence of experiments on electric circuits that made strange noises.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Dense Geometry of Music and Visual Arts: Vanishing Points, Continuous Tonnetz, and Theremin Performance

Mannone¹,

Iaccarino²,

Iembo³

2018

steam

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…An den Schwingkreis ist eine Antenne gekoppelt, deren Kapazität einen Teil des Faktors C der obigen Formel darstellt. Die Kapazität C A einer zylindrischen Antenne der Länge h und des Durchmessers d ist gegeben durch :

C_{normalA} = \frac{2 π ε_{0} h}{\ln (2 h / d) - k},

ε 0 ist die Dielektrizitätskonstante, der Wert von k hängt von der Höhe der Antenne über dem Boden ab. Führt eine geerdete Person ihre Hand in einem Abstand x zur Antenne, so erhöht sich deren Kapazität um den Betrag Δ C A :

Δ C_{normalA} \approx \frac{π ε_{0} h}{10 \ln (4 x / d)} .

…”

Section: Abbunclassified

Aus der Luft gegriffen

Mathelitsch

Verovnik

2019

Physik in unserer Zeit

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Zusammenfassung Das Theremin ist eines der ersten rein elektronischen Musikinstrumente. Erfunden wurde es vom Russen Lew Termen, der sich später Leon Theremin nannte. In seiner etablierten Bauform besitzt es zwei Antennen. Beim Spiel sorgen Finger und Hände für Kapazitätsänderungen in diesen Schwingkreisen, die in elektrische Signale umgesetzt werden. Eine Hand erzeugt den Ton, die andere verändert dessen Lautstärke.

show abstract

“…In reality, the capacitance of a single conductor also depends on the presence of other nearby bodies (mainly conducting bodies). A striking example of the application of this property is the Theremin electronic musical instrument [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the capacitance of a sphere in the presence of another nearby conducting sphere

Ivchenko

2021

Rev. Bras. Ensino Fís.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We present the numerical analysis of the capacitance dependence of a conducting sphere on the distance to another sphere and its relative size. Among other results, we find that the greatest deviations from the model of a secluded sphere are observed for the case of the presence of infinite conducting plane near it. We provide a simple physical explanation of this fact. For example, our numerical calculations show that the value of relative error in the determination of the sphere capacitance is equal to 5% if the distance from the sphere center to the infinite plate is ten times more than its radius. The consideration of this problem will be useful for advanced undergraduates, who study the methods for solving electrostatic problems.

show abstract

Physics of the Theremin

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Dense Geometry of Music and Visual Arts: Vanishing Points, Continuous Tonnetz, and Theremin Performance

Dense Geometry of Music and Visual Arts: Vanishing Points, Continuous Tonnetz, and Theremin Performance

Aus der Luft gegriffen

On the capacitance of a sphere in the presence of another nearby conducting sphere

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About