Music has been a staple conditioned reinforcers since before I can remember. For most music becomes reinforcing through pairing with our parents (them singing to their babies or playing music). I was lucky to have music be reinforcing in several different aspects of my life.
First was my parents taste in music. Sure I grew up burning a hole in The Little Mermaid Soundtrack (a ginger who had fabulous hair and NO freckles) but I also was exposed to The Doors, The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Little Feet etc. My dad went to Woodstock when he was 18 and also had been playing drums as a hobby. Later on my younger brother picked up the drums so now you hear someone practicing in the basement almost every night. My mom did not play an instrument but she does have a great appreciation of dance and letting us kids jam out for hours.
Another life event where music played the star role was when I was 3 years old. I had been born with leg issues where my feet turned in. Not to the point of needing surgery but there were really cool corrective shoes. When I turned 3 my pediatrician suggested that I took dance classes. Flash forward to my first dance recital where I was in a ballet dance called "Benny The Magic Bunny" I was hooked. During the recital I was at the end of the line and the dance ended with walking in a straight line off the stage. My mom still remembers how much I practiced "One, two, three, four, hop, wiggle your bum". The rest of the class did not get the picture so I was still on stage after the music had ended. No problem I would just walk and wiggle in place upping the cute factor. I got to make a bunch of friends, dance around, had fun, and my tutu had a bunny tail on it. To this day I still love listening to music from previous recitals and attend dance classes.
In high school music threw another reinforcement contingency. High school theatre program! I auditioned for the spring production of 42nd Street expecting to be in the back row of the chorus line. To my shock and horror I got a speaking role. After several rehearsals I was feeling great. Another new group of friends, new skills learned, and a hobby. Didn't hurt I met my boyfriend through the program either.
So let's raise a glass to music and it's potency as a reinforcer. Now who wants to dance?
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