Transistor Theremin by Alexander Zeyliger

I think ceramic capacitors would be fine. If you have some old styroflex capacitors in your box of odds and sods, like I have, they may be better for the pF capacitors for the high frequency. The 1000uF is an elco.

If you build it on a breadboard, a long wire is already a pF capacitor and antenna, which could be a problem with all those low value capacitors and high frequencies. The article says it doesn't oscillate with every 2N222A and the circuit has to be shielded, so looks like it is difficult. And the author wrote that there are problems with the volume control, which you have to add yourself, too. I don't know much about analog electronics, but I definitly know: If I would build it, it wouldn't work :-)

I would use a CapSense chip. Then you can add a MIDI output or RS232 and connect it to a PC, which can create much better sounds. You could even use it for game controlling etc.

Another nice idea would be to use a webcam:

Then you don't have to build any hardware at all.

snipped-for-privacy@frank-buss.dehttp://www.frank-buss.de,http://www.it4-systems.de

Thank you very much!!

Use tantulum capacitors and any smalll signal npn will do. A battery charger is regulated funny. use battery pack or use a 12 vdc wall wart power supply.

Marc