M.Ted. I agree, it is hard to talk about the sounds of a guitar. Anyway I certainly didn't mean that you should follow the chord grids each time; but just that you should finger the indicated (or implied) chord sometimes.

Rick, Some of Gary Davis's characteristic licks involve playing the notes in an F chord but playing the treble "E" open. You might think it sounds awful; but I like the effect. It is one time that you shouldn't hold onto the treble E string, though--and you are in real trouble with a barre.

Murray