I'm in a group of friends who have met once a month for six or seven years now. We do early music and some Celtic music, but mostly early. We have harps, flute, recorder, guitar, mandolin and percussion. Once in a while, a bouzouki, kazoo or nose flute appears. We're flexible.

Sometimes I give the gang an entirely different kind of piece at the end of a session. (We call that having a piece for dessert.) For example, a Viennese waltz, a Greek piece in 7/8 time, or an ancient Icelandic lullabye. (However you spell that.)

We always have our tunes written out. I think that leads to the greatest participation by the greatest number.