The Theremin is an original electronic
instrument invented in the 1920s by Russian musician and engineer
Leon Theremin. Its antenna sends out electromagnetic waves and the pitch
the instrument produces is changed by moving your hand to and from
it.
The sound of the Theremin is familiar from Hitchcock and science
fiction soundtracks, and a version features on 'Good Vibrations' by
The Beach Boys and 'Echoes' by Pink Floyd, and by Nine Inch Nails.
It has also been seen played by Dr. Sheldon Cooper on Big Bang
Theory. The new Leap Motion 'no touch' controller even has an
application to play a digital Theremin on your PC.
Japan's musicians recently set a new world record for the most
players on the Theremin - the musical instrument used without being
touched. In the central city of Hamamatsu, 272 people performed at a concert.
This is totally different from the few year old Eigenharp, which
seems to have more buttons and levers than any other instrument.
Theremin taught Lydia Kavina, his grand-niece how to play this
interesting, simple, and eerie instrument. Here is a demo of the
instrument LINK