This article discusses the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) in a mixed methods research design with reference to five recent publications about music in the lives of mature age amateur keyboard players. It explores the links between IPA and the data-gathering methods of "Rivers of Musical Experience", conversation-based repertory grids and audio stimulus recall, together with the use of IPA to construct emergent theory. Using IPA in a mixed methods research design allows researchers to take advantage of its flexibility and potential for creativity when exploring individual perceptions of music learning, and encourages readers to reflect on their own experience of music learning and teaching. The article ends with advice for student researchers and educators on how to achieve quality and validity when using IPA together with other data-gathering methods.