Air guitar is the act of pretending to play guitar, consisting of an exaggerated strumming motion and often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching. Air guitar is generally used in the imaginary simulation of loud electric guitar music, especially rock, heavy metal, and so on. Headbanging is often used in conjunction with an air guitar. Real guitar players also often play air guitar quite accurately when they're listening to their favorite artists.

Musical artists often instinctively follow the rhythm and mood of their music with their body while they play which is also a means of identifying metre and keeping time. In rock music, many guitarists exaggerate these movements to make them a part of their performance; some even add acrobatic stunts, the choreography becoming their distinctive characteristic. Their fans often mimic their idol's movements in adoration, and can become swept away by the music. Playing air guitar can be considered a specialised form of dance.

For some, playing air guitar has become a hobby in itself, and they pride their ability to mimic the style of countless artists. In fact, organised air guitar competitions are regularly held in many countries, and since 1996 The Annual Air Guitar World Championship contest has been a part of the Oulu Music Video Festival in Oulu, Finland.

The first organised air guitar competition in Australia was held in 2002, and in the United States in 2003.

See Also

• crowd surfing
• headbanging
• list of dances
• moshing
• stage diving

External links

• The Air Guitar World Championships
• The US air guitar competition