The balance between right and left brain function is an important concept for guitarists to understand, as it can greatly impact their development as a musician. While many people tend to gravitate towards one side or the other, it is important to find a balance between the two in order to become a well-rounded and confident player. In this blog post, we will explore some techniques that can be implemented into your practice routine to help you achieve this balance and become a proficient guitarist.

To start, let's first define what is meant by "right brain" and "left brain." The right brain is often associated with creativity, intuition, and emotion, while the left brain is associated with logic, analysis, and reason. These are generalizations and not all-encompassing, but they can be helpful in understanding the different ways in which we process and approach information.

For guitarists, the balance between right and left brain function can be especially important. On one hand, the right brain is essential for creativity and expression, which are crucial elements of music. On the other hand, the left brain is important for technical skills, such as reading music and understanding chord structures. Striking a balance between these two sides can help you become a more well-rounded player and allow you to express yourself more fully through your music.

Finding a balance between right and left brain function can be a key factor in your development as a musician. One way to achieve this balance is by making musical constructs and concepts deeply familiar. When you learn these concepts so well that you don't have to think about them, you can create a strong foundation in music theory and technique, which can boost your confidence as a player. For example, if you spend time memorizing the names and functions of different chords, you will be able to access this information more easily when improvising or composing. This deep understanding and ability to name what you hear musically can also help you feel more confident in any musical situation, whether you are performing with others or working on a new piece of music. With this strong foundation, you can free up your right brain to explore creativity and expression, allowing you to fully express yourself through your music and feel confident in any musical situation. So don't be afraid to put in the work and learn those musical constructs and concepts deeply – it will pay off in the long run!

So, how can you work on developing this balance in your practice routine? Here are a few techniques to consider:

1. Become familiar with how music works (Music Theory): Music theory can be a helpful tool for understanding how music is constructed and how different elements work together. By learning about things like scales, chords, and chord progressions, you can gain a deeper understanding of how music works and how to create your own ideas.

2. Master your fretboard: Knowing your way around the fretboard is essential for any guitarist. By familiarizing yourself with the name, numbers and relationships of different notes and chords, it provides the critical foundation on which free expression is built on.

3. Learn different styles: Expanding your musical horizons by learning different styles of music can help you develop your skills and discover new ways of expressing yourself. It can also help you become a more versatile player, able to adapt to different musical situations.

4. Take breaks and switch things up: It's important to take breaks and switch things up in your practice routine to prevent burnout and keep things fresh. Try incorporating different techniques or styles into your routine on different days or at different times to keep things balanced and engaging.

5. Work on improvising and expressing yourself: Improvising and composing allow you to tap into your creativity and explore your own musical ideas. By setting aside some time to just play around and see what sounds you can come up with, you can develop your ability to express yourself through your music.

6. Spend time thinking about how music makes you feel and strive for a feel when you play: Music has the power to evoke strong emotions in listeners and players alike. By taking some time to think about how different licks make you feel and what you want your own music to feel like, you can develop your ability to communicate through your playing and take the listener on an emotional journey.

By implementing these techniques into your practice routine, you can work on developing a balance between right and left brain function and become a more well-rounded and confident guitarist. Remember, it's all about finding what works best for you and your unique musical journey. So take some time to experiment and see what techniques help you grow as a musician.

As guitarists, it is important to find a balance between right and left brain function in order to become well-rounded and confident players. This balance between technical proficiency and artistic expression is crucial for expressing ourselves through our music and connecting with our audience. Many musicians have spoken about the importance of this balance, here's what they had to say.

“To be a great musician, you need both technical skill and creativity. It's important to strike a balance between the two and not get too caught up in one or the other.” - Marcus Millar

“Music is a balance between structure and freedom. It's important to have a foundation of knowledge and technique, but you also need to allow yourself the freedom to be creative and expressive.” - Pat Metheny

“As a musician, it's important to find a balance between technical proficiency and artistic expression. Both are necessary in order to truly connect with your audience and communicate through your music.” - John Mayer

“Music is both an art and a science. It's important to have a strong foundation in music theory and technique, but you also need to allow yourself the freedom to be creative and explore different sounds and ideas.” - Herbie Hancock

“I think the key to becoming a well-rounded musician is finding a balance between the left and right brain. On one hand, you need to have a strong foundation in music theory and technique. On the other hand, you also need to allow yourself to be spontaneous and take risks in order to find your own voice and style.” - Joe Pass

“To be a great musician, you need to find a balance between structure and improvisation. You need to have a strong foundation in music theory and technique, but you also need to be able to let go and be spontaneous in the moment.” - Joe Pass