I've just read my way through this thread and find myself amused. Why? Because I really would love to be able to use a flatpick properly! I started strumming at 16 (45 years ago) and then got lessons in fingerpicking. Somehow I never did learn how to use a flat pick and I hear some great guitar playing done by people who really know how to use it.

What I think is great is that there are so many different styles - even basic strumming can sound right in some circumstances. I just wouldn't want to make rules about how people should play!

Frank L.