By Carly Beath

If you took a census of your musical instrument-playing friends, eight of them would probably be guitar players. Which is cool, but the laws of supply and demand mean that there just isn’t going to be room in bands for all these guitarists. If, on the other hand, you decided to learn the theremin, you’d be pretty much guranteed to be the only kid on the block with that skill.
The theremin resembles something out of a sci-fi movie—and sounds like it, too. It’s often used in horror and sci-fi movie soundtracks because of the eerie, atmospheric sound it makes. (The most famous theremin player in pop music is probably Alison Goldfrapp, known for her sexified manipulation of the instrument.)
Besides the sound, what makes it unique is that it’s one of the few instruments that’s played without being touched. The player waves his or her hands around two metal antennae, one determining the volume and one determining the pitch, and through the magic of electronics and oscillation, sound is created.
If that sounds just odd enough for you, head over to Mercer Union (37 Lisgar St.) on Sunday at 8 p.m. Theremin player Dorit Chrysler will be performing and leading a workshop on the instrument. Her list of accomplishments is long: she’s collaborated with Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers, played legendary festivals like Roskilde and shared a bill with everyone from Marilyn Manson to Oingo Boingo. Aside from her beautifully off-kilter theremin music, Chrysler is also a guitarist, singer, keyboard player, producer and engineer. And on Sunday she’s bringing Torontonians a rare chance to see this intriguing instrument played live and learn about its mysterious workings.
Photo from Dorit Chrysler’s website.