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Photo credit: Blacklist Productions
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Extraordinary guitar performances rarely arise from talent alone. Behind every breathtaking solo, electrifying riff, or emotionally charged composition lies a foundation built on discipline—day after day, year after year. While audiences see only the final result on stage, the qualities that make a guitarist exceptional are forged in the quiet hours of practice, study, experimentation, and physical and mental conditioning. Discipline is the invisible force that transforms ability into artistry.
One of the core pillars of outstanding guitar performance is consistent technical practice. Great guitarists develop not just speed and accuracy but also control, dexterity, tone quality, and endurance. This level of refinement doesn’t come from occasional playing; it comes from structured, intentional repetition. Finger exercises, scales in multiple modes, alternate picking drills, and rhythmic precision training form the backbone of technical mastery. It’s the discipline to practice the “unexciting” fundamentals that allows performers to later play with freedom and expressiveness on stage. Another essential aspect is the discipline of musical understanding. Extraordinary performers study theory, composition, and the intricacies of harmony and melody. They analyze the work of masters across genres—from classical to blues to metal—to expand their vocabulary and deepen their musical intuition. This intellectual discipline empowers guitarists to improvise confidently, write compelling music, and make informed artistic choices. Understanding why something works musically gives their creativity a framework within which it can flourish
Physical and mental conditioning also play a significant role, especially for guitarists whose performances involve complex movement or demanding stage environments. Maintaining posture, developing stamina, preventing injuries, and practicing mindful focus are all part of the discipline that sustains long-term performance quality. Some guitarists incorporate elements from dance, sports, or other physical arts to elevate the theatrical or dynamic aspects of their shows. In these cases, discipline expands beyond musical practice into strength training, flexibility work, and precise coordination—a fusion of athleticism and musicianship.
Finally, extraordinary performers cultivate the discipline of creative resilience. They push through frustration when ideas don’t sound right, when progress is slow, or when performances fall short of expectations. They return to their instrument with curiosity and determination, embracing the long, nonlinear journey of artistic growth. This mindset—committing to improvement even when the results aren’t immediate—is what sets the greatest guitarists apart.
In the end, extraordinary guitar performances are not accidents of talent but achievements of discipline. Technical rigor, musical knowledge, physical conditioning, and creative perseverance intertwine to create artists who can captivate an audience not just with their skill, but with the depth and intention behind every note.
ABOUT ANDREA KRAKOVSKA
Andrea Krakovská is an Australian-based musician whose performances push the boundaries of what a live rock show can be. Known internationally as an aerial guitarist, she performs while suspended in the air—sometimes upside down—fusing guitar virtuosity with aerial choreography. This unusual combination has made her a unique figure in the rock and metal scene, attracting attention not only for her technical skill but also for her visually striking stage presence. Her performances often involve a full band and additional aerial artists, turning each show into a hybrid of concert and acrobatic spectacle.
Her musical journey began far from the dramatic aerial routines she’s now known for. Early in life she studied classical piano and ballet, disciplines that gave her a strong artistic foundation in both musicality and physical expression. These influences subtly shape her approach to performance: her guitar work shows precision and control, while her movement displays the grace and discipline of a trained dancer. When she later discovered the electric guitar, she merged these backgrounds to create an artistic identity unlike anyone else’s.
Andrea entered the recorded music landscape with her debut instrumental single Elusion in early 2024—a blend of rock and metal that showcased her technical skill and melodic sensibility. She has continued expanding her catalog, including a piece inspired by her Slovak heritage, Land of the Tatras, which pays homage to the Tatra Mountains. Beyond her solo work, she has also taken on additional prominent roles such as touring with iconic Australian band Pseudo Echo and contributing to other groups like Southbound xo and Toxic Dolls.
As her career continues to evolve, Andrea Krakovská stands out not only as a guitarist but as a multidimensional performer redefining what it means to put on a live rock show. Combining musicianship, athleticism, cultural influence, and theatrical design, she occupies a rare artistic space—one that challenges genre boundaries.
‘AERIAL GUITARIST’ ANDREA KRAKOVSKÁ UNLEASHES BOLD REIMAGINING OF SATRIANI’S “ALWAYS WITH ME ALWAYS WITH YOU”
Australian Aerial guitarist Andrea Krakovská is excited to announce the release of her electrifying cover of Joe Satriani’s iconic instrumental track, “Always With Me, Always With You,” released on 12th November 2025. Reimagining the classic from Satriani’s 1987 album Surfing with the Alien, Andrea reignites the track with a heavier, modern edge. The release comes off the back of her debut interstate Aerial Guitar tour earlier this year.
Andrea is an inspiring instrumental guitarist known for her unique performances that blend virtuosic guitar work with aerial acrobatic artistry. She recently wrapped up her own run of Aerial Guitar shows across the east coast of Australia and is currently on a nationwide tour as guitarist for iconic Australian band Pseudo Echo.
Andrea brings a unique flair to this track. Her virtuosic performance retains the track’s emotional core while amplifying its overall intensity. This piece carries deep personal significance as Satriani was a huge influence in Andrea’s guitar journey, and ‘Always with Me, Always with You’ was her gateway to instrumental guitar music
INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA KRAKOVSKA AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Your performances are both technically demanding and visually striking. What forms of discipline or training have had the biggest impact on your growth as a guitarist?
Andrea: Thank you! It’s definitely been an incredible journey to get to this point. When I decided that I wanted to become an aerial guitarist one of the biggest things for me was that I had to develop a lot of strength. I trained and conditioned myself in aerial arts for many years before I ever took a guitar up with me. I think that was one of the most important things, even though it took many years, because it meant I had the strength I needed when I finally did strap the guitar on.
In terms of guitar playing itself, the way I grew most was by learning from others. This is something I still do today, and I have grown so much just from talking to, listening to and playing with some incredible guitarists. I try and find every opportunity I can to learn from the people around me. This is really important as the way I learnt guitar in my early years was alone in my bedroom. I was self-taught and extremely passionate, spending hours every day practicing. At the time I thought I was doing ok, however looking back now I was never really any good. There were many flaws in my playing and I didn’t understand crucial aspects like tone and intonation. I still think those years were valuable and they definitely developed my passion and discipline for guitar, however my real growth occurred when I ventured out of the bedroom.
Guitar Thrills: Can you describe a moment in your career when discipline made the difference between a good performance and an extraordinary one?
Andrea: I have a really good example of this actually. Last year (2024) was looking to be a quite year on the touring front. My previous touring band Southbound Xo had just played their final show, I was still developing my aerial guitar performance and I was spending my weekends playing local covers gigs with the Toxic Dolls. Just after halfway through the year I was approached by Pseudo Echo’s tour manager, asking if I was available to fill in on guitar for a show that their regular guitarist couldn’t do. My calendar wasn’t very full so of course I was available.
I hadn’t done a session guitar gig in years. When I was playing in both Southbound Xo and the Toxic Dolls it didn’t leave much time for other gigs. Not only had I never played a Pseudo Echo song in my life, but I also hadn’t heard a single song in the set before aside from their main hit. There wasn’t much lead up time to the show, and I had a lot of work ahead of me. I was working during the day and staying up every night to learn that set (no charts provided). I listened to Pseudo Echo songs every chance I had – in the shower, in the car, and at that point probably in my sleep. I allowed this gig to consume me.
Once I’d worked out the main bits of all the songs I crawled the internet to find videos of the group playing live. With no band rehearsal before the show, and knowing that frontman Brian Canham was also playing guitar, I wanted to work out exactly which parts he played so I knew which part to play in accompaniment. Even after all that I remember I still learnt both parts anyway, so I was prepared just in case.
However the real testament to my discipline was not my commitment to learning all the parts at short notice, but that I committed everything to memory. I don’t usually perform with charts and this gig was no exception. I’m a performer, not just a player, and this gives me the freedom to own the stage. I still remember staying up in my hotel room the night before the show going over the set (and probably annoying my neighbours). On the night I played as if it was my last show on earth. I think this is what set me apart and lead to Brian asking me to join the band permanently.
Guitar Thrills: Many guitarists focus on technical practice, but your work blends physical movement and choreography. How do you balance musical preparation with physical conditioning?
Andrea: Physical conditioning is a big part of training for the show and I found it important not to skip conditioning, even on the days when I didn’t feel the best. I thought if I can force myself to do this even on my worst days, then the show will be a breeze. Balancing the musical preparation with the physical training for the show was definitely a challenge. I was putting together the entire show from scratch including all the arrangements, visuals/choreography and marketing so it was a huge commitment. I had to make sure I managed my time really well to ensure I still had time to practice. Even with all the preparation in the world I was still pulling all-nighters in the days leading up to the show trying to get everything done!
Guitar Thrills: What does your daily or weekly practice routine look like, and how do you stay consistent even on the days when motivation is low?
Andrea: When I was in my peak training season I was training four times a week. They’re not short training sessions either. When I arrive at the aerial studio I usually spend 10-15 minutes setting up as I have to set up my apparatus, guitar, amp and wireless equipment. I then do a 15-20 minute warm up on the ground followed by 30 minutes of conditioning/drills on the rope. The next hour I spend either performing the entire set for stamina or focusing on certain sections that I want to clean up/go over. The last 30 minutes is stretching/cooling down and then it’s time to pack everything up and go home.
The hardest days were when I used to train Sunday mornings, as I was playing gigs on Friday and Saturday nights. I would get home in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, unpack, shower and if I was lucky get a couple of hours of sleep before heading to the studio. On those days when it was tough to keep motivated I would tell myself that pushing myself on the hard days would make the actual show day feel much easier. I’d also remind myself that it’s only an hour or two of tough work, and then I can relax when cooling down/stretching.
Guitar Thrills: In your view, which is more important for a guitarist striving for excellence: mastering fundamentals or exploring creative expression—and how do you discipline yourself to do both?
Andrea: Oh that’s a good question, and you’re right you absolutely have to be able to do both! Mastering the fundamentals however is the key to opening up creative freedom on the fretboard. How can you explore all the creative possibilities if you are limited by a lack of technical skill? Recently I have been letting intuition guide whether I spend a session on technique or creativity. If I have that spark and the creative juices are flowing then I will let them take over the session. I’ve found that it’s difficult to force creativity, you have to strike while the inspiration is there!
Guitar Thrills: Have you ever had to unlearn habits or techniques that were holding you back? What disciplined steps did you take to rebuild your approach?
Andrea: All of the time! I mentioned that I mostly taught myself guitar in the early days which meant I had taught myself a lot of bad habits. I spent years relearning good technique and even today I am still finding ways to improve my playing. Little things from how you hold the pick to how you move your fingers/picking hand can make such a huge difference. Once I’ve identified an aspect of my technique that needs improvement I take the time to really focus on that one thing. This means dedicating practice time specifically for technique, which can take some discipline, but it is worth it.
Guitar Thrills: How do you train your focus and mental resilience for high-pressure shows or physically demanding performances?
Andrea: Not that long ago I was listening to a podcast with another great Aussie guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel, where he answered a similar question and his answer really stuck with me. Tommy said that his goal when going on stage was just to have fun, that music is fun and we just want the audience to have fun too. We’re not performing brain surgery, there is no catastrophic outcome if we hit a bad note or miss a cue. Of course you prepare for these moments with all the practice in the world but at the end of the day you are there to have fun, and that’s exactly what I want to feel at my shows. When I’m feeling the pressure before the show I remind myself that if I’m having fun and the audience is entertained then I have done my job. I know for me it’s so easy to get caught up in the stress to put on a perfect show. This shift in thinking has really relieved that mental load for me.
Guitar Thrills: Your music merges multiple influences and genres. What disciplines or study habits help you continually expand your musical vocabulary?
Andrea: I definitely think I am obsessed with music. I’m always looking for new music to listen to and I love taking aspects from different genres/ influences and applying it to my own work. If I hear something even remotely interesting these days I will try and find the song and add it to my library. I also binge watch live concerts on Youtube and attend as many live shows as I can. I love talking to musicians, if I come across something I’ve never heard before or a concept I don’t know I’m not afraid to ask questions and I listen to a lot of music podcasts.
Guitar Thrills: What advice would you give young guitarists who want to develop the kind of discipline required for long-term artistic growth?
Andrea: I think having an underlying passion or obsession for your instrument or music in general is essential. Find what makes you passionate and from there you will find your discipline. For me it was aerial and guitar, but for everyone it will be something different. Music is a beast that often requires years, even decades, to see results and growth. I think without that spark you will burn out long before real progress can be seen.
Guitar Thrills: Looking ahead, how do you plan to evolve your discipline to meet the demands of your next creative or performance challenges?
Andrea: I love the whole creative and technical aspect of combining aerials and guitar. I am constantly working on new aerial stunts to perform while playing. I feel like my mind is a never-ending back catalogue of ideas that I want to try. Some ideas work straight away, other need some (or a lot) of refining and then there are some that I just have to put into ‘impossible’ or ‘not right now’ baskets. I also have a huge vision for the aerial show and am working on making the next performance bigger and better!
Compelling Conclusion
Discipline is the invisible thread that weaves together talent, creativity, and performance excellence. For guitarists, it is the daily commitment to practice, study, and self-improvement that transforms raw ability into artistry. Whether refining technical precision, exploring new musical ideas, or pushing the boundaries of physical performance, discipline ensures that every note resonates with intention and every show leaves a lasting impression. In the end, it is not just the skill of the hands, but the dedication of the mind and spirit, that elevates a guitarist from proficient to extraordinary. Through disciplined effort, the seemingly impossible becomes achievable, and audiences are left not only impressed, but inspired.
A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
