One of the blog followers in Sweden (greetings!) wanted to know what a "gut" reaction was. Interesting question.

It is the reaction you have before you know you are having a reaction. According to way I understand the ear it is often what makes us "miss" notes. Our ear leads us to a choice of note that doesn't happen to agree with the composer's choice. This implies an element of conflict. This conflict is the beginning of meaningful interpretation.

Musicians tend to be trained out of having gut reactions because they are dangerous.

Children and amateurs are vulnerable to them. That's why I love working with them--I learn so much about how the ear works.