tags: mus-407 early-electroacoustic-instruments

Ondes Martenot

Invented by Maurice Monet, French inventor, in 1928

• intended as a lasting instrument, to be taken seriously by musicians
  • to be brought into the orchestra
  • to an extent, successful
• monophonic heterodyning instrument
  • uses the [Heterodyne principle]
• [pitch] control via ring on ribbon; lateral movement, creates glissando
• later versions included "organ" stops and proper keyboard, providing more familiar interface

Featured some success with composers and popular musicians

• D. Milhaud, A. Honegger, O. Messiaen, E. Varese
• various Radiohead songs, notably vocals on Kid A

Sources

• MUS 407 History of Electroacoustic Music: Early Instruments