The article looks firstly at research into early human communication and secondly at the learning experiences of successful musicians in a range of fields. It underlines the idea that music learning and language learning have much in common. Musical improvisation is seen as having a central role, similar to that of talking in relation to verbal language. Recognition of this role forms the basis of an approach which builds on children's early musical development and can enable them all to fulfil their potential as musical communicators. Directions for further research are suggested.