The Door Spring Theremin

Posted: 7/21/2026 5:54:41 PM 1

From: 60 Miles North of San Diego, CA

Joined: 10/1/2014

One thing we can agree upon is that we all got older.

The Theremin Phenomenon really is this simple, yet so sensitive it creates many unexpected issues. 20-years ago I made sounds with this authentic setup but being unskilled I did not hear it make music until it arrived in St. Petersburg Russia for the 100 Year Theremin Anniversary.

What Lev Theremin discovered is based upon principles of early AM Radio. The door spring simplifies construction of a resonating pitch antenna circuit. I did not invent it, the approach was shown to me.

Sitting on top of the box it shipped in you hear Thereminist Valery Shamarin perform.

The very first demo.mp3

* * *

With a little polish combined with superb skill, this is how amazing a simple electronic circuit can do something very beautiful, why what Lev Theremin discovered is so special.

With a bit of polish.mp3

The new generation wanting to escape AI & digital imitation will rediscover the Theremin Phenomenon.

The theremin, the stock market, even in religion everyone has their own understanding of how it all works, very few can change, not even me.

I wish all of you the very best

Christophe S Becker

oldtemecula 2026

Posted: 7/22/2026 6:24:48 AM 2

JPascal

From: Berlin Germany

Joined: 4/27/2016

threads - posts

The idea that the coil spring, rather than the rod, might affect the sound is an interesting one, but it cannot be justified physically. Such a description may go down in the history of the theremin as a curiosity as well.

Posted: 7/22/2026 12:00:28 PM 3

dewster

From: Northern NJ, USA

Joined: 2/17/2012

threads - posts

Physicists long ago reached a consensus as to how basic electronics work. If you witness an odd effect which you desperately want to be accepted as valid, you need to speak their language and couch your argument in terms they understand, otherwise you'll likely be seen as just another crank wasting their time.

At the very least, you need to perform and document your experimentation with an aim towards persuading the technical community that something strange is going on - you can't expect them to pick up the ball and do the rest of the work for you without that bare minimum.

Posted: 7/22/2026 5:55:08 PM 4

oldtemecula

From: 60 Miles North of San Diego, CA

Joined: 10/1/2014

threads - posts

My post is for the new generation of tech explorers so they are reminded of a simpler time and the birth of something miraculous out of St Petersburg Russia.

You can see the door spring antenna in its full glory.

After 20 years I must sound like a scratched record. The spring is just a tunable coil of wire, “not voodoo”. In the authentic Theremin Phenomenon the voice develops early, beginning with the shape of the RF wave. Different voices can be formed with the twist of a knob. This mp3 sample is the exact same setup as the other sound. Performed in St Petersburg on the instrument in photo.

lights-go-down.mp3

An appropriate title as we reach for the sunset.

Christophe S Becker

oldtemecula 2026