If you look at a human brain, you will see that it’s split right down the middle into a left half and a right half. The two halves only share slender connections and they operate independently of each other.
The left brain is the one we use most of the time. It is the part of the brain that houses the speech and language centers. Most of us think in words most of the time. We have inner dialogues with our self all the time. It is so habitual, we do not even know it. Often, the only time we know we have a right brain is when we are sleeping.
The right brain is a wonderful world of color and music. That is where the seat of the imagination lies. The only connection outside of sleep that most of us have with the wisdom of the right brain is through the works of musicians and artists. Many psychologists are now suggesting ways to activate our right brain creative capacity. One of the things they suggest, believe it or not, is playing air guitar! Living in a left brain world is kind of like wearing a black helmet that keeps your imagination from taking flight. Playing air guitar is like throwing that restrictive helmet away.
It does not matter what media you choose to express yourself with, as long as it is not primarily language based. Music is the language of the right brain and so is an excellent start. Let us take a Dreadnought acoustic guitar as our example and put it to use as a tool for right brain activation.
It goes without saying that you can choose a Takamine acoustic guitar if you prefer. It is an air guitar, after all! Since you are not actually playing the instrument right now, picture your ideal guitar in your mind. Feel it in your hands. Admire its beauty. Now start playing the guitar in your mind. A riff you already know may pop into your head or you might be surprised to find yourself playing something totally new and original!
Try to hear the music playing in your mind. If you can, you are doing well! Your right brain has been activated. Before long, you will probably find the images and music fading and being replaced with words. You have used your left brain only for so long that it is going to try and take over just by habit. A good way to prolong your right brain journey is to fill in the experience by seeing yourself standing in front of an audience and playing for them.
When you’re done, you will probably feel refreshed and invigorated. Your right brain is not restricted by time and space and will have given you a break from the limitations imposed by your left brain. Try activating your right brain. You will be astounded by the difference it will make in your outlook on life!