A very interesting subject Jerry. I'll try to add to it.

Like Mike, my voice is my primary instrument. As such, I try NOT to allow the guitar to overwhelm the telling of the tale, ballad. I've always appreciated the "Burl Ives" type of approach, where often just a simple strum was all that was necessary.

However, on some ballads, where there is a very strong melody line, I often play a guitar bass line harmony, to the melody. Examples of this might be "The Star of Bannock," or "Roddy McCorly," or "Wandering Angus," or "Palace Grand."

I do a fair number of songs in different languages. On these, I'll often do a guitar solo break where the guitar can take the stage and "play" with the melody lines.

Thanks for this thread. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson