Ask Dr. Universe

Asked by Rohan

Dear Rohan,

The left and right side of the brain each have unique abilities, so when they come together, it’s a kind of brain duet.

My friend Sheila Converse is a music professor here at Washington State University. She said to try this out: Snap the fingers of your left hand while patting your right leg with your right hand.

It might seem crisscrossed, but the left side of the brain is controlling the right hand. Meanwhile, the right side of the brain is controlling the left hand. As you hear the snaps and pats, thousands of little hairs inside your ears pick up vibrations from...