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The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe - Guitar Lesson

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The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe - Guitar Lesson

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The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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The Hollies Rock A major
Capo Advisor 0 A major · Original key

The Air That I Breathe

"The Air That I Breathe" is a gentle rock ballad performed by The Hollies, written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. Originally recorded by Hammond in 1972, The Hollies brought the song to wide recognition with their polished, harmony-driven arrangement. For electric guitarists, it offers a rewarding study in clean melodic playing, chord voicings that support lush vocal harmonies, and the restrained, lyrical style characteristic of early 1970s British rock.

  • The song was written by Albert Hammond, who also recorded the original version on his 1972 debut album.
  • Phil Everly covered the track in 1973, a year before The Hollies made it a signature hit.
  • The arrangement rewards guitarists focused on clean tone, subtle picking dynamics, and chord work that complements vocal harmony.
Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Tony Hicks used the Strat in The Hollies' early years for its bright single-coil bite and string separation, perfect for jangly Merseybeat rhythms. The extra snap helped cut through on their sparkly, chord-driven arrangements.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

Hicks' primary guitar from the mid-1960s onward, the ES-335's warm PAF humbuckers delivered the chiming clarity needed for Hollies harmonies while providing sustain for lead passages without ice-pick harshness through the Vox AC30.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

The AC30's Top Boost circuit gave The Hollies their signature chimey, harmonically rich clean tone that could stay pristine on ballads or break into natural tube warmth on rockers like 'Long Cool Woman,' all without pedals.

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