Randy George Music

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  • New Theremin Tech: Merlin Tuner

    New Theremin Tech: Merlin Tuner

    Visual Pitch Preview Display

    Merlin-Tuner

    I’m very excited to announce and publish a new software product! Last month, July 2021, I was invited to present two workshops on my theremin playing approaches for the 2021 edition of Theremin Academy, this time hosted by Lydia Kavina and Thierry Frenkel. In conjunction with the event and my presentations centered around vibrato and theremin technical development, I decided to publish a new software tool.

    Its name: Merlin Tuner

    It is a versatile theremin training tool in the form of a precision equal temperament semitone tuner. Its core functionality was extracted from my previous software release MIDI Merlin, which I will wholeheartedly admit has been a golden key in unlocking the most mind bending aspects of precision theremin playing technique. Now, after proven success in my own development, it’s time to share the technology with the theremin playing community. Merlin Tuner offers much greater accessibility and ease of use compared to MIDI Merlin due to being much simpler in design and in package distribution.

    See theremin pitch reflected back to you in real-time

    With a desktop Mac or Windows computer, an installation of Cycling ’74 Max software and a computer audio interface, it’s easy to get started building a new level of awareness in precision theremin playing technique, body stability, and calibration, among a host of other difficult-to-nail-down theremin nuance.

    The base window has three pages, the first one providing a detailed readout of the incoming pitch information, the second page offering some device customization and the third dedicated to audio input device settings.

    Merlin Tuner is software that runs on a connected desktop computer, that can be used for improving a great number of aspects of theremin playing. The key difference between this and any typical hardware or software tuner boils down to one thing: timing.

    Visit the Merlin-Tuner page on RandyGeorgeMusic to learn more and to purchase securely from my web store’s product link. The introductory price is $15 USD.

  • Performer Case for Haken ContinuuMini

    Performer Case for Haken ContinuuMini

    The Performer Case is a combination protective case and performance harness for the highly portable expressive synthesizer from Haken Audio. It is a custom design built with untethered live performance in mind.

    Visit the Performer Case page for more information.

  • Theremin at Rick and Morty Musical Ricksperience

    Theremin at Rick and Morty Musical Ricksperience

    Row Downtown LA, October 7 Performance at AdultSwim Festival for the first ever Rick and Morty Musical Ricksperience. Tickets are available at with a 20% discount. Enter Code: TERRYFOLD at
    https://adultswimfestival.com/

    Hey Friends in Los Angeles, and Friends of Rick and Morty, I will be joining a fine hand picked orchestra of LA Musicians for the first performance at AdultSwim Festival for the first ever Rick and Morty Musical Ricksperience.

    Ooowheee SEO, Can doooo!
    Anyone who is a fan of the show has heard little bits of synthesized theremin sprinkled throughout the past three seasons of Rick and Morty. For the first time, you’ll be able to hear the music with live theremin, performed by Randy George, Los Angeles based thereminist. There are plenty more reasons to be there. Ryan Elder + Justin Roiland + Dan Harmon + Guest Artists + a crazy powerful music artist lineup for the rest of the show . Definitely not to be missed!

    Sunday, October 7, 8pm Calico Stage, AdultSwim Festival,

    Row DTLA
    777 Alameda St.
    Los Angeles, CA 90021

  • The magic is here.

    The magic is here.

    It seems you have found your way to this post. Are you looking for the magic? I can assist you with that. An Official Announcement is coming soon, but if you go HERE, you can find what you are looking for.
  • Performance – NAMM Museum

    Performance – NAMM Museum

    August 26, 2017, Theremin Concert at the NAMM Museum of Making Music!

    This will be a special evening of music and fun, definitely not to be missed if you are in or around the San Diego Area. The concert will feature a good variety of theremin music from as many genres as I can cover. I’ll also be armed with never before seen/heard technology and inter-connectivity. It will be the first public show where I utilize my real-time Audio to MIDI tracking software, MIDI Merlin, in Live Performance as I control synthesizers and automate harmony!

    Musical Voice of the Theremin, featuring Randy George, theremin; Matt Piper, guitar, bass, electronics; Kevin Yokota, drums, percussion

    The NAMM Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California. The performance is presented in conjunction with the Museum’s Summer of Innovation Special Exhibition featuring exhibits by Ableton, Roli, Stylophone, Photonic, EchoThief and more.

    Date and Location:

    Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 7:00pm to 9:00pm
    5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
    Phone: (760) 438-5996

    Tickets available through the MoMM website.

    NAMM Museum of Making Music event page:
    https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/events/theremin
    Summer of Innovation Exhibition Info:
    https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/summer-of-innovation
    Facebook public event page:
    https://www.facebook.com/events/289753578103552/

  • New Video Project Posted!

    New Video Project Posted!

    Friends, I have some news to share, finally! I’ve created new theremin videos! It has definitely been a long wait. I wanted to thank you for your patience by sharing the whole lot at once. The new videos, most of which come from the classical theremin repertoire, are more representative of my playing today than anything I have published in the past. You can find the videos on the Video Gallery page!

    Here’s the link in case you navigated to this article post hoping to find the videos. –> Video Gallery. You may also click on the image above.

     

  • Theremin Lessons by Randy George

    Theremin Lessons by Randy George

    As of October 19 2015, I have begun teaching theremin lessons over Skype. I’m also continuing to offer lessons in person where ever I am located, where I live in Los Angeles or any city I’ll be visiting. I’m making this post primarily as an update so that everyone visiting my website can be aware of the availability of theremin lessons. On the website, I have created a Store which will make it easy to pay for lessons, as well as other products and services using a simple and secure credit card ordering process.
     
    If you are interested in Theremin Lessons please read on and also visit the Lessons Page for more of the finer detail. If you are anxious to get started with theremin lessons right away, then jump over to the Contact Page and send me a message. The following summary was previously located on that page, but it’s a bit lengthy so I’ve moved it here for anyone interested in my philosophy on theremin proficiency and education.
      

    Guided Theremin Instruction

     
    Learning to play the theremin can be a very fun and rewarding experience. Everyone begins in the same place, whether they realize it or not. We stumble upon the idea that by moving our hands in the air we can create something musically satisfying. I’ve learned the hard way that the journey toward proficiency on this amazing instrument is full of pit falls. I have literally started from scratch several times, building a new approach each time, in an effort to not repeat things that were inefficient or impractical. Because I was willing to make mistakes, after many years I was able to build a technique that was efficient, precise, and consistent. These are qualities that have always applied to developing proficiency other instruments, but the theremin is unique because quite often people begin playing it without any fundamental understanding of its operating principles. Furthermore, many people fail to realize that a majority of theremin playing involves developing control over their own body.
     
    Technical proficiency on a theremin is something that is not well defined. For decades since its inception, very few people could see the need for it to be used beyond its stereotype of eerie oscillating sound effect. It all depends on the music and the context. Well, it’s the end of 2015 and we have definitely moved beyond old age thinking. An increasing number of people are now demonstrating that the theremin can be used to play not only melodies, but full scale modern compositions with orchestras and bands. The future looks bright thanks to composers that are taking notice of the technical potential that is present in a proficient thereminist.
     
    In my teaching method, I outline key components as the most essential building blocks to make theremin playing easier. My goal is to empower a new generation of theremin players with these fundamental building blocks so that each person can develop a playing facility that suits their musical context. The method is based on problem solving and building a key set of memorized muscle behaviors. Every theory I introduce can be applied toward producing a desired result. I do not introduce concepts that are based on conventions simply because they have been repeated by the majority of theremin players in the world. There have been a number of ideas that have circulated for decades because they had been passed around by musicians that were not fully aware of the mechanics of the interface.
     
    Many people who have played the theremin have given up on advancing beyond a certain point for one reason or another. It’s very easy to just quit and blame the difficulty on the “crazy instrument”. Everything in theremin playing can be built upon fundamental building blocks and an understanding of the playing interface. The plateau that many people find they can not move beyond is quite plainly a result of poor foundation, misunderstanding of basic operating principles, and self-created barriers. To gain proficiency on the theremin it is imperative to know the difference between player error and machine error. This can only happen when a complete foundation has been established. I believe there is enormous potential that can be unlocked in theremin players and the main obstacle to overcome is poorly laid foundation.
     

    Outline of the Methodology

     
    Fundamental blocks:
     

      • – How Pitch is affected by Capacitance
      • – Body Stillness, Posture, and Self Awareness
      • – Linearity of the physical movement
      • – Aural/Muscular Feedback System
      • – Relative Pitch Interval Memory
      – Instrument Tuning, Position, Warm up and Care

     
    Advanced blocks:
     

      • – Building repeatable gestures for full range scales and arpeggios
      • – Minimizing Note transition time for improved pitch precision
      • – Building a palette of vibrato options
      • – Articulation with the Volume Hand
      • – Unlocking Pitch Hand Finger Dexterity
      – External Instrument Modifications

     

  • Performance – Dilijan Chamber Music Series

    Performance – Dilijan Chamber Music Series

    On April 26, I will be playing theremin in the premiere of a chamber music film composition by composer Martin Ulikhanyan and filmmaker Alik Barsoumian. The premiere is part of the 6th concert in the 2014-2015 Dilijan Chamber Music Concert Series. 3:00pm at Zipper Hall at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. For tickets: visit the Lark Musical Society Box Office. Links below.

    http://www.larkmusicalsociety.com/dilijan/program.php
    http://www.larkmusicalsociety.com/dilijan/artists/randy_george.php
    http://www.itsmyseat.com/events/775992.html

    Dilijan Season 10 Concert 6

    herbertzipper concert hall

  • Theremin on Danny Elfman Concert

    Theremin on Danny Elfman Concert

    On October 31 – November 2, I’ll be playing the theremin part in the orchestra for the Danny Elfman Music from the films of Tim Burton Concert at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles and the Honda Center in Anaheim.

    Ticket information can be found in the links below:
    Nokia Theater LA Live on October 31 and November 1
    Honda Center on November 2

  • Artist Residency at SUNY Fredonia

    Artist Residency at SUNY Fredonia

    In February, I will participate in an artist residency as part of the Ethos New Music Society’s guest artist program. Ethos New Music operates in conjunction with the Composition Department at the School of Music at SUNY Fredonia in New York. My visit will consist of workshops and lectures about the theremin and Max programming for composition as well as a concert with faculty and guests, and possible theremin lessons for students.

    The residency take place on February 19-21, 2015.
    Links: Ethos Website, Ethos Facebook, SUNY Fredonia Music Website, Fredonia Music Facebook

    I’ll update this page as I get receive for information. I’d like to send a huge Thank You to Dr. Rob Deemer for organizing the invitation.

    About the Ethos New Music Society:
    Ethos New Music Society is a presenting organization established at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Since 1977, Ethos has been one of the most important advocators of contemporary concert music in Western New York State. Through concerts and workshops by nationally known visiting composers, performance artists, and new music ensembles, as well as concerts featuring student composers and performers, Ethos is able to provide an important cultural service to the university and the surrounding region. Sponsored by the SUNY Fredonia Student Association, Ethos New Music Society is administered and operated by SUNY Fredonia students, under the supervision of its advisor, Dr. Rob Deemer.