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... Rock's most prestigious competition - the World Air Guitar Championship - takes place tomorrow in, er, Finland. (Which XP-er has been handed the plum assignment of reviewing it?)
All you need to know about the Championship can be found , but below are some notes on the different playing styles. Are you a Pure Air fan, or a member of the Futur d'Air?
Schools Of Air Guitar
In the art of Air Guitar, the freedom of expressing yourself and surrending to the magic of music has been a connecting factor throughout the times. However, it has been clearly shown during the past decade of the AGWC that different ruling Schools of Air Guitar exist among the competitors and their performances. In addition year 2005 truly indicated the birth of a new, futuristic alignment, when Michael "The Destroyer" Heffels charmed the Air Guitar community with his robotic performance.
It should be noted that Schools of Air Guitar change along the coming Air Guitarists, when their original style and spirit modify the path the art will take in the future. Therefore this presentation of classical schools is only normative. Every beginner in the field of Air Guitar should look into themselves and find the inner rock star within. May the Air Guitar Force be with you!
"It's impossible to be angry and play air guitar. Air guitar is the last pure art form. There's no sponsorship. No one does it for the money. It's about going out there and expressing yourself."
The AGWC Champion 2001 & 2002 Zac Monro/The Times 27.8.2002
Airtistic Airdeology
The school has a very philosophical approach to Air Guitar.
Playing Air Guitar is considered as a form of meditation among some air philosophists. Letting yourself go with the flow in front of thousands cheering Air Guitar fans is truly a purifying experience, an inner battle to beat your fears and finally free your mind. Or accordingly to Zac "Mr. Magnet" Monro, the AGWC Champion of 2001 and 2002, "it's like diving into a shark pool with pork pies strapped to your body".
Pure Air Rock 'n' Roll
Presenters of Pure Air Rock 'n' Roll swear to the name of technical skill. The school gives credit to authentic imitating of guitar playing and comprehensive rock attitude. It's all about being REAL!
"An imaginary guitar, the " air guitar" is the master's instrument, and his art is to look as cool and rock star-like as possible while " playing".
Standing on stage, with the stage lights flickering, the music exploding from the speakers and 3500 people cheering and screaming, and then simply letting go and surfing on one's air guitar, is about the closest you can get to being a rock star if you're not."
Tiscali Europe, 23.8.2003
Air Extravaganza
This school has clear connections to glam rock influences with dazzling clothing, cocky moves and show-off attitude. Get your Kiss albums out and learn to do the tongue whilst you perform! However, do not let the pompous appearance and a glam camouflage fool you: Air Guitar still requires charisma and stage presence, which can not be bought with a pile of weathers.
Futur d'Air
The latest form of Air Guitar Schools combines playing the Air Guitar with original, even bizarre elements that necessary aren't rock music related. Some examples include the performances of The Destroyer (2005) and the outrageous Belgian Ron "Bucketbutt" Van den Branden (2004), who took the stage wrapped in foil and with a rubber glove on his head. Futur d'Air doesn't restrict any ideas and gives freedom for artsy-fartsy Air Guitar imagination. Just beware of not over-doing it: too much mind-extending improvisation might distance you from the audience.
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