There is now an accepted need for initiatives that support older people's health and well-being. There is increasing evidence that active engagement with music has the potential to contribute to this. This research aimed to explore the characteristics of older people who participated in active music making with a view to identifying the groups that currently do not participate. The research comprised three UK study sites, each offering a variety of musical activities. At each site a sample of people aged 50+ (total N = 398), some of whom had recently begun musical activities and others who were more experienced, were recruited to complete questionnaires that asked for a range of information about musical and other activities. Those participating were predominantly female, white British and from professional occupations. A substantial proportion had been engaged in musical activities prior to their current involvement, the majority rating themselves as average on their instruments and having only a basic level of reading music. They also participated in a wide variety of other non-musical activities, tended not to practise at home, although they listened to music at home, played it in the background and tended to prefer classical music. The predominant reason for participating in musical activities was enjoyment. The findings are discussed in terms of what might be needed to widen participation. (Contains 10 tables and 7 figures.)