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1%%
2%%
3%% The examples have been alphabetized. Please put any new example in its proper place in the folder rather than at the end.
4%%
5%%
6[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Theremin_6683.jpg]]
7[[caption-width-right:250:[[TropeNamers Leon Theremin]] playing the instrument he invented.]]
8
9%% One quote is enough, thanks.
10->''"No instrument says 'You're in outer space!' more than a small cigar box with a radio aerial stuck to it."''
11-->-- '''Creator/MarkKermode'''
12
13The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin theremin]] (a.k.a. termenvox) is an electronic instrument developed in the 1920s, notable for being the only musical instrument played without touching it. The player waves their hands near its antennas, using the electrical conductance of the body to alter the sound. It creates a very pure tone, and sounds like a lower-pitched version of someone tuning in an old-fashioned radio to a test signal. It's essentially a primitive analog synthesizer with an UnusualUserInterface, or a RealLife BizarreInstrument.
14
15The [[{{Zeerust}} retrofuturistic]] and haunting sound of the Theremin is closely associated with SpeculativeFiction and horror from the black-and-white era, but it shows up in some very odd places. As such, including this instrument in the soundtrack has become common shorthand for the presence of the paranormal, such as aliens or ghosts, generally with the implication that [[DeadHorseTrope the subject matter is not going to be treated very seriously]].
16
17----
18!!Examples:
19
20[[foldercontrol]]
21
22[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
23* In ''Manga/NodameCantabile'', there is an extremely creepy girl who resembles, and is mistaken by some to be, a StringyHairedGhostGirl. Her favorite instrument to play is the theremin.
24* In Chapter 2 of ''Manga/SaintYoungMen'', the music-related sidenote about Jesus says that "he's curious about theremins".
25[[/folder]]
26
27[[folder:Fan Works]]
28* ''Fanfic/Plan7Of9FromOuterSpace''. Gneelix tells his wife to [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn stop playing the theremin]] while he's delivering dramatic {{exposition}}.
29[[/folder]]
30
31[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
32* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'', it's among the instruments Pinkie suggests Twilight should play; she brings out a theremin and plays a haunting tune.
33-->'''Pinkie Pie:''' So magical...
34[[/folder]]
35
36[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
37%%* Music/DmitriShostakovich used a theremin in a film soundtrack in 1931.
38* ''Film/TheDelicateDelinquent'', a Creator/JerryLewis film from 1957, was unusual for having an actual theremin on screen instead of just using it for the score. It's mined for physical comedy, as Lewis's character stumbles upon it, slowly figures out that its sounds are corresponding to his movements, and starts dancing around it.
39* In the French movie ''Film/{{Ducoboo}}'' (''[[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1810864/?ref_=nv_sr_1 L'élève Ducobu]]''), the music teacher Miss Rateau is seen playing the theremin in her spare time.
40* It's used in Tim Burton's bio-pic ''Film/EdWood'', to recreate the theme music from ''Film/Plan9FromOuterSpace''.
41* It's used to represent altered reality in ''Film/{{eXistenZ}}'' and ''Film/TheMachinist''.
42* There's a quasi-Beach Boys pastiche in the middle of ''Film/GraceOfMyHeart'' that lampshades the theremin, where the band "The Riptides" features a ''real'' theremin player onscreen during a recording session (reminiscent of the one in "Good Vibrations"), with "Brian" commenting that he "liked the theremin at the end."
43* An odd non-science fiction example is ''Film/ILiveInFear'', where the theme song has a theremin in it.
44* Creator/DannyElfman also include theremin in the music for ''Film/MarsAttacks'', as part of the overall pastiche of old science-fiction movies.
45* ''Film/RocketshipXM'' was the first ScienceFiction movie to use it, with ''Film/TheDayTheEarthStoodStill1951'' becoming the TropeCodifier and one of its most famous uses. It also showed up in countless other horror and science fiction B-movies between 1945 and 1960. In those times, if it wailed, it was usually a theremin.
46* Music/MiklosRozsa was the first composer to incorporate the theremin in film scores in the west:
47** He first used it on the soundtrack of ''Film/TheLostWeekend'' (1945), for the nightmare sequences.
48** He also utilized the unusual instrument for Hitchcock's ''Film/{{Spellbound}}''. That score was supposed to be the first one with the theremin, which producer David O. Selznick was really excited about. When he found out that Rózsa was also using the instrument in his score for ''The Lost Weekend'', Selznick was furious. He knew that ''The Lost Weekend'' would be released before ''Spellbound'' (''Weekend'' was released in November, ''Spellbound'' in December), thus spoiling Selznick's "first-score-with-theremin" thunder.
49* Though for that matter, ''Film/{{The Ten Commandments|1956}}'' has a theremin in its score. The instrument really was quite widely used in 1950s Hollywood, even beyond SF.
50[[/folder]]
51
52[[folder:Literature]]
53* ''Literature/Fahrenheit451'': A theremin is mentioned at one point when describing how background music tricks people into feeling an emotional response.
54[[/folder]]
55
56[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
57* Myrtle Snow plays a theremin to calm herself in ''Series/AmericanHorrorStoryCoven''. It fits nicely with her odd, eccentric demeanor.
58* Sheldon Cooper from ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' plays the theremin. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YYABE0R3uA Badly.]]
59* In the ''Series/{{Cowboy Bebop|2021}}'' series, Ana is not impressed when Gren suggests they use a theremin in her nightclub. "We might as well hire a magician in a bow tie and coattails."
60%%* The theme music to ''Series/DarkShadows'' does, as well.
61* The opening to ''Series/DoctorWho'' doesn't use one, but evokes the sound. The musicians in this case actually cobbled some parts from the technical department and ''built'' a synthesizer to simulate it.
62* The title character in ''Series/{{Hannibal}}'' teaches his apprentice-turned-lover Alana Bloom to play theremin as part of his general bon vivant persona.
63* The score of ''Series/{{Loki|2021}}'' prominently features a theremin, for example in the tracks [[https://youtu.be/183tEhupiSQ "TVA"]], [[https://youtu.be/ulWCRAWn_ms "Stop"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV_76cm2BWU "Loki Green Theme"]]. Both composer Music/NatalieHolt and director Creator/KateHerron independently from each other decided to use the instrument in the score because of its inherent sci-fi sound. Additionally, in episodes 2 and 4, a theremin cover by Clara Rockmore is playing in Judge Renslayer's office ("18 Morceaux, Op. 72: No. 2 'Berceuse'" and "The Swan", respectively).
64* The ''Series/MidsomerMurders'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTZK9FNgK74 theme and underscore]] uses it, to great, creepy effect.
65* In the ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' episode "[[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S11E02CryWilderness Cry Wilderness]]", Jonah puts a theremin in a Thanksgiving turkey for his invention exchange, the point of the invention being that it adds a new musical tradition to the holiday. When he cuts into it, the turkey plays theremin music. The bots find it unsettling.
66-->'''Servo:''' Yeah, really reminds you you're cutting into a once-living thing.
67* As befitting a sitcom about aliens, ABC's ''Series/TheNeighbors'' used a theremin sting as its opening for the show's first season.
68* Harry Lubin, the composer for ''Series/{{One Step Beyond|1959}}'' and the second season of ''Series/{{The Outer Limits|1963}}'', used the theremin extensively in his scores for both series.
69* The melody of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaRIILnSA40 the theme]] of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' was actually never played on a theremin. A soprano singer emulated its signature sound.
70[[/folder]]
71
72[[folder:Music]]
73* Website/TheOtherWiki lists several composers of 20th-century concert music who called for Theremins in their instrumentation: Bohuslav Martinů, Percy Grainger, Christian Wolff, Joseph Schillinger, Moritz Eggert, Iraida Yusupova, Jorge Antunes, Vladimir Komarov and Anis Fuleihan.
74* Used in "Stab My Back" by the All-American Rejects.
75* Possibly subverted in Music/TheB52s' song "Planet Claire" -- it sounds like they use a theremin at one point, but that's actually Kate Pierson's voice.
76* Music/BillBailey uses it as part of his keyboard setup, usually for comedic effect.
77* Music/TheBeachBoys' "Good Vibrations" from ''Music/SmileySmile'' features a Tannerin (a.k.a. an Electro-Theremin, basically a theremin with ''mechanical'' controls for pitch and volume) in the chorus.
78* Used in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D207V63EBXk this jazz cover]] by Robyn Adele Anderson of the Music/BeastieBoys song "Intergalactic".
79* Music/TheBlackLips feature a guest theremin player on their single "Modern Art".
80* "Noises for the Leg" by The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. It's implied that the theremin is being played by leg.
81* Hisashi Imai of Music/BuckTick has this as one of his signature instruments. It pops up in a lot of Buck-Tick's songs...
82* The trance tune "Dark Blue" by Cabala.
83* Notably used on "Electricity" and "Autumn's Child", both by Music/CaptainBeefheart from his album ''Music/SafeAsMilk''.
84* Used in "Terre-Mere" from Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''Totem'', and "Running on the Edge" from ''Amaluna''. (Or at least a similar-sounding synthesizer is used.)
85* Music/{{Converge}} used this extensively on their ''Jane Doe'' album, to genuinely heart-stopping effect.
86* Music/{{Covenant}}'s first hit single was named "Theremin" after Leon Theremin, the instrument's inventor, but [[NonindicativeName does not actually use it]].
87* The punk-reggae band The Dingees featured a guest thereminist on two tracks from ''The Crucial Conspiracy'', "Summertime" and "We Rot the Voodoo". It fit well with the album's sci-fi ConspiracyTheorist themes.
88* Used in "Cry of the Unheard" by Music/{{Repulsive}}. (Or at least a similar-sounding synthesizer is used.)
89* Several of Music/DoctorSteel's songs incorporate the theremin (or at least samples of theremins).
90* Vadim from Music/DragonForce plays one in addition to keyboard.
91* Music/DreamTheater uses one in one verse in "A Nightmare to Remember".
92* Ska/punk/funk band Music/{{Fishbone}} makes use of a theremin.
93* The intro of Helalyn Flowers' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG4nMLibi7g New Days of Babylon]]".
94* Music/{{Ghost|Band}}'s song "Spirit" opens with an theremin refrain backed by a mellotron choir. It's the only song in their catalogue that uses the instrument, giving the song an eerie, horror movie-like feel.
95* Eric Hersemann of Music/{{Gigan}} uses one as part of his extensive effects setup.
96* Twentieth-century composer PercyGrainger wrote for an ensemble of four to six Theremins (instead of a string quartet) in his composition "Free Music", utilizing their potential for notes of indeterminate pitch.
97* Music/JeanMichelJarre supposedly used this in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEo4IuEmwDA "Oxygene 10"]], likely in homage to classic sci-fi films. In addition, he has played the Theremin at every one of his concerts since 1997 along with various pieces of music, starting with "Oxygène 10", later with older material such as "Magnetic Fields 1". During his 1997 tour, he even explained the Theremin to his audience and briefly told them its history.
98* Music/JoyElectric has used the instrument in concert as more of a noisemaker than a real "instrument".
99* "Whole Lotta Love" from ''Music/LedZeppelinII'' by Music/LedZeppelin. Although it sounds less like space and more like [[Main/HellIsThatNoise THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OF HELL!!!!]]
100* The '60s psychedelic band Lothar and the Hand People was known for using the theremin.
101* The latter half of Music/MeltBanana's "Bambi's Dilemma" uses drums, an analog synthesizer, and a theremin along with Yasuko's vocals (as does Lite Live Ver.0).
102* Japanese electropop artist Aira Mitsuki released a single called "Aira no Kagaku CD" (translated as Aira's Science CD). There are two tracks that prominently feature the Theremin -- a song called Science Music and her cover of Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence called Senjou no Merry Christmas.
103* By the way, the Theremin might not be as popular as it is today, weren't it for Dr. Robert A. Moog himself, later founder of Moog Music, who has been making the Etherwave Theremin from 1954 on, for a while under the brand name Big Briar. Moog Music still makes the Etherwave — and has recently given it a younger brother named Theremini, the first virtual-analog Theremin.
104* The Hungarian space rock band Omega has always loved the theremin, and it shows up in multiple songs.
105* Music/JohnOtway uses a theremin in part of his cover of Crazy Horses. He doesn't so much play it, as use it to replace the screams in the refrain.
106* Music/PatoFu's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPD8Pe8QV_o "Eu"]] not only has a SampledUp theremin, but also features the arrest of Leo Theremin in its video.
107* "Velouria" by Music/ThePixies.
108* Music/ThePolyphonicSpree had a theremin player around 2004-2005, who appeared on their ''Together We're Heavy'' album.
109* "Mysterons" by Music/{{Portishead}} from their album ''Music/{{Dummy}}''.
110* A handful of songs by Music/{{Rammstein}} incorporate a theremin, especially "En Lied" and "Tier".
111* The Road Hammers may be the only country music band in history to use one.
112* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Rockmore Clara Rockmore]] based her entire orchestra career on playing the instrument, and was ''extremely'' serious about it. She ignored the general populace's idea it was an otherworldly, spooky gimmick, and treated it like the cello or any other core stringed instrument, finally releasing an album ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_the_Theremin The Art of the Theremin]]''.
113* In their more recent live shows, Music/SimonAndGarfunkel have used a theremin player for the instrumental break in "The Boxer".
114* Music/TheSpaghettiWesternOrchestra use illuminated platforms and dramatic lighting to make a big deal out of the one use of a theremin in their show -- to replace the operatic female vocal in [[{{Leitmotif}} "Jill's Theme"]] from ''Film/OnceUponATimeInTheWest''.
115* The theremin is one of three instruments used in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkTpUxh8Vxc this mashup]] of the themes from ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''. The other two instruments were a Rhodes piano and... a funnel.
116* Used rather poignantly on Music/{{Ulver}}'s ''Shadows of the Sun'' album.
117* "Il farmacista" by Max Gazze has a theremin/electronic/orchestra guitar solo. The song placed 25th out of 26 contestants in televoting, only being bumped up to 17th by juries.
118[[/folder]]
119
120[[folder:Radio]]
121* ''Radio/DimensionX'': The theremin is one of a number of instruments that Creator/AlbertBuhrman tended to choose for the music. Its distinctive sound made radio listeners easily identify that they were listening to a futuristic ScienceFiction story. When the TitleSequence was revised to include references to ''Magazine/{{Astounding}} Science Fiction'', a piano and theremin play to indicate a transition to the episode's story.
122* In the ''Radio/ThisAmericanLife'' episode "Classifieds" where they comb the want ads to put a band together and record a song all in 24 hours, one of the band members is a man who plays a Theremin. To take advantage of this they decide the song they'll record is "Rocket Man."
123[[/folder]]
124
125[[folder:Video Games]]
126* ''VideoGame/TheAngryVideoGameNerdAdventures'' has an 8-bit theremin-type sound in the [[BigBoosHaunt "Boo! Haunted House"]] BGM.
127* ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing: New Leaf'' adds a theremin to the vast number of musical instruments players can collect.
128* ''VideoGame/AxiomVerge'''s soundtrack features theremin in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL68Sp-4Dqs "Trace Rising"]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppwKN3IoJsw "Amnesia"]], and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icxs5VejuJc "Primordial Shores"]]
129* Liberally used in the soundtrack for ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' and its sequels. The levels where it shows up are meant to evoke the feeling of a classic horror BMovie, {{Atlantis}} and an alien terrarium.
130* ''VideoGame/{{Celeste}}'' uses a theremin for the {{leitmotif}} of Mr. Oshiro, [[BigBoosHaunt the ghostly hotel caretaker]], and later in [[BonusDungeon Chapter 8]], The Core.
131* The last level of ''VideoGame/DeBlob 2'', set in space, features a theremin-heavy melody.
132* ''VideoGame/{{Descent}} 3'' uses a theremin-style synth for its [[RecurringRiff main theme]], as well as for the pentatonic Asian riff heard in Level 4.
133* ''VideoGame/DestroyAllHumans'' uses it to evoke the 1950s alien invasion films which it pastiches.
134* ''VideoGame/DoubleDragonII'' (arcade version only) has a theremin in its FinalBoss [[https://youtu.be/6DnARPUYxhQ theme]].
135* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3IM_9DE3WQ&feature=relmfu Welcome to the Machine]] from ''VideoGame/EccoTheDolphin''.
136* ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' has it during [[SillinessSwitch Wild Wasteland]] [[RandomEncounters encounters]].
137* ''VideoGame/GhostControlInc'' has a theremin as part of its in-game music.
138* Used in one of the songs in ''VideoGame/GitarooMan'', "'Nuff Respect".
139* The last part of the Chapter 3 music in ''VideoGame/HouseOfTheDead'' uses one. Appropriate for the horror setting.
140* A pocket theremin is a usable weapon in ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing''.
141* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'' has [[spoiler: Zadornov]] playing one on one of MSF old pictures.
142* Heard in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltW-emNP3YE opening and main menu theme]], as well as the individual title themes for the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfGsArRQjKE Gamecube]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLOkc9MwFHs games]].
143* ''VideoGame/MontyMole'': ''Impossamole'' has this at the beginning of its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia0PHxN_fao title theme]].
144* ''VideoGame/TheMovies'' uses a theremin sound as the stock sound effect for handling a SciFi script.
145* In the ''VideoGame/OuterWilds: Echoes of the Eye'' DLC, the unnamed avian aliens who flew their miniature [[RingWorldPlanet ringworld]] into your solar system had a stringed instrument that sounds very similar to a theremin, which gives [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAfRDEaZP4E their music]] an eerie, haunting quality. [[spoiler:Upon completing the DLC and then the main game, the Prisoner within that ringworld adds the instrument to the final song played during the GoldenEnding.]]
146* ''VideoGame/PerfectDark Zero'' uses a theremin in several soundtrack pieces, such as the main menu, Game Over and River Extraction themes.
147* ''VideoGame/PN03'' uses one in its first {{final boss}} [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4cNuow1rIg theme]].
148* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' uses this as the recurring {{Leitmotif}} for [[MadScientist Dr. Nefarious]]. It also shows up prominently in the iconic [[CityPlanet Metropolis]] theme from the first game, which helps sell the city's retro ArtDeco aesthetic (only in the first game, though; for the third game, the theremin section was replaced with a ''James Bond''-esque guitar riff).
149* ''[[VideoGame/RaySeries RayStorm]]'' uses it along with PsychoStrings in the [[NightmareFuel infamously nightmarish]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHBHltNIDss "Molecular Clock"]] boss music. Also used in the Special Mode theme from the PSX version of ''VideoGame/RayCrisis''.
150* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
151** ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'''s final zone has a very long, theremin-heavy theme tune, the last vestige of a DummiedOut level. Mystic Cave Zone has one as well.
152** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjFMSsKUjLY Egg Carrier]] theme in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' also uses it, starting at 0:45.
153** ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' uses the instrument sound in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rayLCPzTM7w "White Acropolis (The Base)"]], starting at around 0:55.
154* In episode 3 of ''VideoGame/StrongBadsCoolGameForAttractivePeople'', Homsar plays the theremin in Strong Bad's band D-Ö-I. A ''giant'' theremin, that he plays by levitating and moving his whole body up and down.
155-->'''Larry Palaroncini:''' Weird instruments are the new four-necked guitar!
156* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
157** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' and [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2 its sequel]] feature the theremin occasionally to match the space themes of the games, for example in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z29bt-wjS88 Buoy Base Galaxy]] theme (starting around 0:46).
158** ''VideoGame/SuperPrincessPeach'' has this in the Shriek Mansion level, complementing the BigBoosHaunt theme.
159** Another BigBoosHaunt stage with theremin music is Twisted Mansion from ''VideoGame/MarioKart8''.
160** In ''VideoGame/MarioParty4'', a theremin can be heard in the theme for Boo's Haunted Bash.
161** "Duelling for Prizes", the theme that plays in space-themed duel mini-games in ''VideoGame/MarioParty6'', uses the instrument.
162* ''VideoGame/TimeSplitters 2'' has a theremin as part of the music for the "Ufopia" multiplayer map, which seems to be an alien base filled with {{Flying Saucer}}s.
163* ''VideoGame/UltimateChickenHorse'' has a theremin as part of the Mansion level's music. It sounds spooky, even though the mansion isn't actually haunted.
164* ''VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines'' has a theremin playing all the way through Dr. Grout's (a batshit insane leader of an equally insane vampiric clan) mansion.
165* The music [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NyvvCGxRes "The Depth Napishtim"]] (second FinalBoss theme) from ''VideoGame/YsVITheArkOfNapishtim''.
166[[/folder]]
167
168[[folder:Webcomics]]
169* In the various musical tracks that accompany ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'', [[BigBad Jack Noir]] is often leitmotifed by what sounds like a theremin.
170* ''Webcomic/ThePackrat'': Packrat [[http://www.umop.com/art/kb023.jpg meets the Beach Boys and their theremin in 1967]] during his TimeTravel StoryArc. He needs (and uses up) its sole oscillator to jump forward to 1968.
171* ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'': For some reason, when Claire is celebrating her exams success, three of her friends [[GiftGivingGaffe all show up with the same congratulatory gift]] — a theremin construction kit. What If anything this implies is unclear, beyond the fact that they all maybe see her as a little bit geeky. [[https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4259 Claire understandably gets a bit sarcastic after the third.]]
172[[/folder]]
173
174[[folder:Web Original]]
175* ''Blog/ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG'', entries 238/239: "My bard/rockerboy cannot play or has ever heard of the theremin, didgeridoo or glass harmonica."
176[[/folder]]
177
178[[folder:Websites]]
179* From [[https://outofcontextdnd.tumblr.com/ Out of Context D&D Quotes]]:
180-->'''Artificer:''' 22 on an Engineering check to sound like a theremin.
181[[/folder]]
182
183[[folder:Web Videos]]
184* A theremin makes a last-minute appearance in the ending sequence of ''WebVideo/DrHorriblesSingAlongBlog'', re-doing the opening theme.
185* The video [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p8IC3ZJ4L8 "Nikola Tesla: Total Badass"]] by Dante Cimadamore opens with Tesla playing the theremin.
186* The WebVideo/SoulMachineRemix for the ''Series/KnightRider'' theme includes a theremin for added originality to an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW2zlWFlbkA already impressive composition.]]
187[[/folder]]
188
189[[folder:Western Animation]]
190* Used in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad''. While flashing back to the day he met Roger at Area 51, the theremin plays in the background. Stan stops and says he's [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn going to check the room it's coming from.]]
191* A theremin can sometimes be heard in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' to put emphasis on spooky, strange, or silly moments on the show. More often than not, it's [[PlayedForLaughs played for laughs]].
192* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'' uses this in the soundtrack of the first series to fit the excitement of being an alien hero.
193* Used in ''WesternAnimation/TheCrumpets'' episode "Prehistoric Crumpets" in the scenes with the meteorite crystals and the arrival of the space ship.
194* Doofus Drake plays the theremin in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{DuckTales|2017}}'' (2017) to highlight his [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} bizarre personality]].
195* The fourth episode of ''WesternAnimation/FrankeldasBookOfSpooks'' centers around Tere, a girl that is bullied at school for her theremin talents, culminating in being publicly humiliated at a school recital, leading her to take an offer from a monster to remove her passion for the instrument from her. The monster removes the part of her soul representing her passion for life in general which becomes the new star player in his ghostly orchestra of stolen childhood joy, tearfully asking her now helpless and emotionally drained self why she abandoned her.
196* In a post-revival episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', Bender dies and takes on a ghostly existence. When the characters call a séance to exorcise the ghost, cue the creepy theremin track, but when the EstablishingShot ends, [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn it is Zoidberg playing it to his colleagues]].
197* Used in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Grojband}}'' episode "No Strings Attached" for Trina's Diary Mode sequence for fear.
198* I.R. Baboon plays a Theremin in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/IAmWeasel'', and the instrument somehow keeps causing earthquakes.
199* The ''WesternAnimation/RandyCunninghamNinthGradeNinja'' episode "30 Seconds to Math" reveals that [[PerkyGoth Julian]] plays this instrument. Unfortunately, when he demonstrates his talents, he gets pelted with an orange.
200* ''WesternAnimation/RazzberryJazzberryJam'' features a [[AnimateInanimateObject living one]] in the form of Tesla, a stage musician whose character is obviously inspired by the theremin's "magical" tone.
201* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
202** In "The Ziff Who Came to Dinner", the family hear what they think is a ghost haunting their attic. On their way up to investigate, the obligatory spooky theremin music starts playing. Homer [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn hears the music]] and is not happy about the ghost getting a hold of his theremin.
203** Used in episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS19E9EternalMoonshineOfTheSimpsonMind Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind]]" when Homer [[JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind delves into his own mind]].
204** Despite being often featured on the soundtrack in spooky scenes, it wasn't until the 2011 ''Treehouse of Horror'' that an actual theremin was used. (Before that, it was emulated by a synthesizer.)
205* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Wayside}}'' episode "Music Lessons", Stephen, a student who loves Halloween and cosplay (typically as an elf), plays the theremin.
206[[/folder]]

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