The Theremin Puppet

Theremins were invented in 1920 by a Russian physicist named Lev Termen (in the United States his name was Leon Theremin). As an instrument it is unique because it is played without ever being touched. There are two antennas protruding from the theremin - a vertical bar for controlling pitch, and a horizontal metal loop for volume. As a hand approaches the vertical antenna, the pitch gets higher. Approaching the horizontal antenna makes the volume softer. Because there is no physical contact with the instrument, playing the theremin in a precise melodic way requires a great deal of practice. Electronic music pioneer Robert Moog built theremins long before he built synthesizers. 

“I was actually making Theremins for a living. So from then, which was in 1954, through my entire college career, I made Theremins, and enough money to get through graduate school." - Bob Moog

In the 1960's, he produced such models as the wedge-shaped Vanguard theremin and the shoebox shaped Moog Melodia theremin. Today, Moog Music Inc. produces the popular Etherwave and Etherwave Plus theremins.

'Theremin Puppet' is a project to explore synchronizing sequenced GIF frames with the browser's web audiocontext. 

Move your mouse over my left hand to control my movement. Horizontally for pitch & vertically for vibrato. Pressing the Z, X or C keys will control my right hand (the volume).

When I ordered my theremin there was an option to have him sign it. And sign it he did...with silver ink.