The purpose of this study was to examine young children's definitions of what it means to be a "good musician" and perceptions of themselves as good musicians. The researcher conducted interviews with 347 students in grades 1 through 4 in one US school district, coded the transcripts for salient characteristics and calculated frequencies of these characteristics within and across grade levels. Additionally, students' ratings of themselves as "good musicians" were analyzed by grade level and sex. Playing instruments, practising and singing were the most frequently mentioned characteristics of a "good musician" at all grade levels. However, other characteristics fluctuated with grade level, suggesting that students' perceptions of what it means to be a "good musician" may relate to their own experiences. A statistically significant difference in students' perceptions of themselves as good musicians by grade level suggests that students in grade 1 perceive themselves to be better musicians than do older students.