From personal experience, I'd say you don't actually need even a core of experts; you just need people who are enthusiastic and happy to practise and improve together.

I should also have explained that before attempting to play a tune together we all noodle away at it for a few minutes at our own speeds. It often happens that the tune gradually emerges from the general noise without anyone formally starting it.

Our way is just one way; there's bound to be room for others.

Demand for practice sessions is steady: as Spare Parts (Bryan Creer, Suzanne Higgins and me) we run them at a few festivals every year, and we always get a good turnout.

Valmai (Lewes)