M.Ted. I was not thinking of a general case but specific instances. For example if you are playing an alternating bass, alternating between C on the second (from bass) string and E on the third string and if you really whack the e string like John Hurt did, you will get the other strings ringing. If you finger a C chord, then you get the effect of bass C followed by an E,G,C,e chord. All this with just your thumb. Meanwhile your other finger(s) play a treble "melody line". This is probably what made Segovia think he was listening to two guitars when he was played a John Hurt record.

On the other hand, when playing Ragtime guitar, as I am starting to see, you should do as you say and only finger what you play. In fact sometimes it is better to actually mute the strings you are not playing. When playing classical pieces you certainly should not finger a whold chord while playing two notes.

This is a great thread. I am digging up the textbooks I haven't read in mfmfmf years! The funny thing is none of the books I can lay my hands on at home condescend to define a chord. A trip to the library tomorrow is in order.

Murray