By getting off my "arse", Jack I was already aware of everything you said in your last post - when I get back around to that lady's myspace, I shall re-read her blurb and let you know (she's a singer not an instumentalist).
To Leadfingers - you agree that there can be a difference between what folks are capable of and what they choose to do; E.g., many singers and musicians, in many genres, work things out on some kind of keyboard - that they may never play in public. Of course, folkies in England, e.g., would have known other possibilities but it seems they did love this unaccompanied singing of verses. I'll say it again - "Traditions exist due to folks being impressed by how their forebears did things" (here).