About This Piece
Aerial Boundaries is the piece that announced Michael Hedges' arrival and established him as a player unlike any before him. Released on his 1981 debut album Breakfast in the Field, the composition remains one of the most studied and analyzed pieces in acoustic guitar history.
The piece features Hedges' signature technique of hammering notes from above the fretboard with both hands, creating a dense, multi-layered texture that seems impossible for one guitarist.
The Custom Tuning
Aerial Boundaries uses a modified standard tuning with the G string raised to G#:
- E-A-D-G#-B-E (low to high)
This small change opens up harmonic possibilities that standard tuning doesn't easily allow, particularly in the middle register where much of the piece's activity occurs.
Two-Hand Tapping
Hedges approaches the guitar more like a pianist than a guitarist. Both hands hammer notes onto the fretboard from above, eliminating traditional picking entirely for most of the piece.
The technique:
- Left hand hammers notes on the lower frets (usual position)
- Right hand hammers notes on the upper frets (usually near the body)
- Both hands work simultaneously, creating full chords and melodic lines
Learning This Piece
Aerial Boundaries is not recommended as a first attempt at tapping. Players should have:
- Solid hammer-on and pull-off technique
- Comfortable two-hand coordination
- Experience with alternate tunings
- Patience for a steep learning curve
Approach
Start by mapping out which hand plays which notes. Hedges' tablature can look overwhelming — break it into small segments and identify the right/left hand assignment for each note.
Practice each hand separately before combining. The left hand part alone, played slowly, should be mastered before adding any right-hand tapping.
Influence
The impact of Aerial Boundaries on the fingerstyle world is incalculable. Michael Hedges demonstrated that the acoustic guitar had unexplored territory, inspiring Andy McKee, Don Ross, Antoine Dufour, and countless others to push beyond conventional technique.
Learning this piece is both a technical undertaking and a connection to the guitarist who changed everything.