Expert: Pat G - 10/10/2009

Question
Hi Pat, from what I understand, the right side of the brain is attributed to creativity and that certain types of classical music can stimulate the right side of the brain. I was subsequently wondering which are the best composers or, best classical music to listen to whilst drawing/painting?
Best Regards
Gary

Answer
Hi, Gary,

I'm changing this to public, so other people can benefit from your question and the answer.

I'm not sure how much research has been done in this area. I'm also not sure how in the heck you'd do such research. Ask people whether their artistic slumps were due to the music or another factor? It's a matter of taste and opinion to some extent. My personal opinion is that any harmonious classical music is helpful, but my favorite would be Bach. This is partly because of the sheer complexity of his music, and the fact that his harmonies tend to set up excellent soundwave patterns. Some people are very fond of Mozart. My opinion is that it's too bad Mozart didn't live longer, because his artistry was very much still under development. He's more fun to play and sing than to listen to.

If you don't have a good source of continuous harmonious classical music, if your local radio station is a mixed bag, and you have some kind of computer broadband connection, you can listen to streaming audio online from anywhere in the world, and the best station is WCPE in North Carolina. Their web site is http://theclassicalstation.org/  They absolutely don't broadcast anything dissonant and ugly (unless the Chicago Symphony does, but it's rare). They have five streaming methods, and they also have free satellite feed if you're in the footprint.

I do a lot of computer art, and I find them very compatible. I keep them on 24/7 as a general rule. It's rare for me not to be artistically productive. I figure there is more to it than just the music, though. I think my faith in God has something to do with it, because I often ask His help and get it. My biggest problem is lack of time and resources (such as money for travel to do photography) to do all the ideas I have.

I hope this helps. Take care.