As any guitarist will tell you, laying down a perfect riff or hammering out a classic rhythm section requires a lifetime of patience and perseverance. Beyond the countless hours of practice and sore fingers, there is a unique bond between the player and their fretboard. This connection can be seen in the eyes of the guitarist and felt within the hearts and minds of all who listen. A question still remains, however. Where does this connection come from?
Stress Relief
It is undoubtedly true that music provides a very emotional experience. When our emotions are out of sync with our brain and body, we get stressed out. Stress forces our bodies to produce a variety of hormones that negatively effect our brains and overall health; shortening our lifespan and weakening our immune systems. When a guitarist practices and plays the guitar, the parts of the brain responsible for the release of stress hormones practically shut down. Being lost in a creative environment distracts our minds from unwanted external forces and provides a safe place to escape from the everyday grind.
Increasing Creativity Outside of Music
Studies have shown that guitarists, and musicians in general, are highly creative people. This creativity extends far past their musical abilities and often manifests itself in multiple forms. Children who are introduced to musical instruments at young ages have shown incredible abilities in a multitude of fields. This includes engineering, design, architecture, medicine and law. Playing the guitar forces an individual to think in a different and less linear way. Occupations that require creative solutions to problems also require intelligent and creative people to solve those problems. The guitar provides a perfect medium for practicing the cognitive skills required to think outside of the box.
Increased Hand/Eye Coordination
In order to create a proper sound, the guitarist must have fingers capable of moving quickly and accurately across the fretboard. In addition, an acoustic guitar player must simultaneously select and pick strings with the opposite hand while maintaining a rhythm. Exceptional hand and eye coordination requires the entire central nervous system and playing the guitar helps to strengthen connections between the brain, the eyes and the muscles found in the hands and arms. Continuous practice and repetition leads to increased coordination and muscle memory.
Memory and Concentration
It is easy to stand amongst a crowd and find yourself lost in the talent of the lead guitarist. What isn’t seen is the incredible amount of memory and concentration required to play a complete song. Guitarists are renowned for the ability to fluidly improvise and repeatedly cover sections that seem very simple in nature. The truth is that guitar players use their working memory of the sound created by specific notes to “predict” what sound should come next without even thinking about it. It is the hours upon hours of concentration placed upon learning the sounds of notes that allow them to effortlessly play long sections. With years of training, their brains have rewired themselves to easily recall information.