Air Guitar

The ninth annual Air Guitar World Championships - where would-be rock gods attempt to impress with an imaginary instrument - are being staged in Oulu, Finland



The rules are:

• The instrument must be invisible - ie, air.
• An air guitarist may play an electric guitar or an acoustic one - or both.
• Personal air roadies are allowed, but backing groups (real or air) are not.
• The winner must carry the joyful tidings of the air guitar forward - thus promoting world peace.

Finalists must perform a compulsory one-minute song - which they do not hear until just before the final - as well as a song of their own choice.
There is no dress code and extra props, such as a guitar pick, may be used. Contestants can strum or finger pick.

Judges are looking for originality, the ability to be taken over by the music, stage charisma, technique, artistic impression and - it goes without saying - "airness".