Song Rig
Air
Jason Becker · Perpetual Burn · 1988
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Becker's pure classical piece translated to electric guitar — a Bach-influenced composition originally written on acoustic guitar and arranged for electric. The tone is clean and unadorned, relying entirely on the guitar's natural acoustic character rather than amp distortion or effects.
Signal Chain
- 1Classical acoustic guitar (original composition)
- 2Jackson Soloist (electric interpretation, neck pickup, clean)
Amp Settings
Nearly clean — Air is a classical guitar piece played on an electric instrument. The cleaner the amp setting, the more the Bach-influenced composition speaks for itself without distortion colouring the harmonic structure.
Technique
How to Play It
Counterpoint on single guitar — Air uses two independent melodic voices played simultaneously on one guitar, with the bass voice answering the treble voice in the tradition of Bach's solo violin and cello partitas.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Any guitar (nylon string preferred for closest Bach approximation, but electric works) → clean amp or direct → practice two-voice independence: the bass notes and treble notes should feel like two separate players. Use rest strokes on melody notes for projection.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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