From where, and by what mechanisms, does an individual's musical ability originate? The interest surrounding this question has recently been heightened by research into prenatal perception of sound, particularly among developmental and music psychologists. This timely volume provides an up-to-date, integrative account of research on the development of musical ability, particularly in infancy and early childhood. Each chapter addresses central issues and charts a child's developmental progress with reference to his or her changing environment: from the intense and semi-exclusive mother-baby bond, to the wider contexts provided by family, school, and society at large. From where, and by what mechanisms, does an individual's musical ability originate? This book outlines recent research in the development of musical competence in children, from before birth to the early teenage years. There is particular emphasis on new research showing how the human infant possesses most of the inherent characteristics required for more complex musical skills. Irene Deliège is at Centre de Recherches Musicales de Wallonie, Liège. John Sloboda is at University of Keele.