The Chaucer's session is a "fast" session, as opposed to a "turn-taking" session. This means that you will be expected to be able to play the tunes chosen by the rest of the group (see the tunes page for a listing of the more popular choices) at a decent speed. If you are looking for a turn-taking session where you can play the tunes of your choice at your own speed, you might be better off contacting the London Irish Folk Club. You do not need to be a professional to play, but a certain level of proficiency on your instrument is expected.
This is a traditional group, and as such, instruments played at the session should be traditional Irish instruments: e.g. fiddle, accordion, uillean pipes, small pipes (note: the Scottish great pipes are NOT an indoor instrument!), flute, bodhrán (one per session, please), whistle, banjo, mandolin, harp.
The musical focus is on Irish trad, but other styles such as French Canadian and old-time do show up occasionally.