This article reports on a retrospective study of Finnish pre-service elementary teachers' assessments of their musical experiences in nursery school and elementary and secondary school and real-time study of their experiences in teacher training. The participants (N = 590) had received musical instruction in five age groups (4-6 years, 7-12 years, 13-15 years, 16-19 years, 20-25 years). The assessments were most positive in the 4-6 years group and thereafter declined until puberty in the 13-15 years group. A change in a positive direction was perceived in the 16-19 years group and also in the 20-25 years group (during teacher training). Gender differences were statistically significant except during upper secondary school. The most enjoyable activities in formal music education were singing and playing; music theory was experienced most negatively.