What is airness?

Airness is a somewhat elusive concept, but it's been a part of competitive air guitar since the world championships began in Finland in 1996. The US Air Guitar organization defines it as “the extent to which a performance transcends the imitation of a real guitar and becomes an art form in and of itself”. Nat Hays adds, “The difference between… what you should see on stage and what everyone else does for fun is true airness” (interview, 2009).Airness, then, is what takes a performance beyond mere technique and preparation into the realm of greatness, a concept the AGWC founders used to get at the ineffables of performance. But what does airness look like? And how can you and I achieve it? Take a look at some great air performances to get an idea.

1. C-Diddy's famous performance, which won the championship for the U.S. for the first time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoAnMxlMh0I

2. Ochi "Dainoji" Yosuke, 2006 world champ from Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r10UbGC6RI&list=PL9C19A3728CCFC3C9&index=8&feature=plpp_video

3. Hot Lixx Hulahan, 2008 world champ from the U.S.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efNdI8uzWN8

4. William Ocean at the 2009 US regional competition in NYC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djiQK-3Tw8o&list=PL9C19A3728CCFC3C9&index=5&feature=plpp_video

5. 2011 winner, The Devil's Niece from Germany: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMIws86ZLyk