Lydia Kavina: recommendations for theremin composing

Hi everyone,

 read my recommendations for composers, who want to write for theremin
https://thereminschool.com/2025/12/23/composing-for-theremin/

It’s about nothing. ‘Water is wet, and the sound of a violin is triangular.’

It would be more interesting to hear, for example, about such subtleties: which passage is easier to perform — a linear one, like C-D-E-F-G, or a leaping one, like C-F-D-G-E?

It’s about nothing. ‘Water is wet, and the sound of a violin is triangular.’It would be more interesting to hear, for example, about such subtleties: which passage is easier to perform — a linear one, like C-D-E-F-G, or a leaping one, like C-F-D-G-E?

Wouldn't that equate to limiting your composition to what some of the players can't achieve, rather than what you think should be played?

The advice given of the singing test (or indeed whistling!) in my humble view is the best advice for what's 'easier'. It'll give a solid sense of what speed is too fast, and what leaps are challenging (specially in the context of the accompanying harmonies you're developing)

My humble view, (and I’ll admit upfront, I’m not a composer myself, though I’ve got my own “Four Seasons” lying around, which I haven’t shown to anyone yet), so, in my humble opinion, you should compose without tying yourself to specific instruments. Whatever wants to come out, just lay it down well. Everything else is the performers’ problem. The only exceptions are those particularly specific cases where you really want to hear a part played specifically on the theremin.

I am more of a producer than a composer, (I love orchestras but I wouldn’t want to compose for them because I don’t have access to a full orchestra to hear my creation) but anyway, like ILYA said I often just start my compositions on a piano, and then later move them to the instrument and sound I want. While I do agree that the article is somewhat uninformative, there are certainly limitations on what can be easily played on the theremin but those shouldn’t hinder your process. Worst case scenario, hand that part over to a cello or another synth  

Also, when you decide to show people your stuff ILYA, I want to hear it!