The purpose of this article is to make a case for arts-based research as an appropriate
paradigm for community music research. In order to argue this I will consider the research strategies
and methods currently employed in the investigation of community music and ask whether current
research is appropriately representing its practice. In conclusion I suggest providing the research tools
to enable community musicians to answer challenging questions surrounding practice and theory
whilst continuing dynamic music leadership. This, I hope, will go some way in ensuring that practice
and scholarship do not drift too far apart creating a tension between those that do the work and those
that think and talk about it
