It was brief, I don't know what they mean by "intuitive"--I couldn't help but get the impression it was making some argument that one has to be predisposed for music and this is why the professionals are professionals and amateurs are amateurs. Something I have some reservations on. Skills are developed through practice (and passion) and may explain the brain activity change accordingly, nothing inherent. Because the reality is professional musicians practice alot--eight hours a day--they didn't just get to where they are by virtue of "natural talent" or anything like that. The research may have showed something interesting about how the brain works, but the slant the CNN article may have put on it certainly wasn't.
I played Bass Viol for 9 years and my little sister played violin for many years too. The rule of thumb her teacher gave was 2 hours a day for 6 years to master the mechanics of the fingerhand and another 2 hours a day for 6 years to master the artistry-the bowhand. So if someone starts at 6 by the time they are eighteen they'll have a shot at a good conservatory to polish up there technique a little before having a shot at an professional orchestra. Now its just rule of thumb everyone's progress will vary-but the point is there's inevitably alot of practice. She had a nice violin too, I forget the name but it was made by one of Stradivarius' apprentice's (seems the name started with a "T") and she even had a violin bow by Torte, I don't think she played on the latter though. I don't think old bows have any performance edge like an older instrument can.
