Hi Nick, "are you are saying is that it doesn't matter how you sing if you are singing folk material" NO NO NO It realy matters how you sing. That's why I said be wary of what voice teachers will try to impose on you. You should sound like you. For many years in Scotland the only acceptable way to sing "Scottish" songs was with a mock operatic style AKA Moira Anderson or with a cheery chappy style AKA Andy Stewart. A formaly trained voice is the death nell for a traditional style. There are many singers "in the folk world" who can and do attempt to pass on ideas and information but you have to search out and formulate the bulk of YOUR singing style YOURSELF. Listen to the old singers and recordings it is unfortunate that so many of the old singers are no longer arround they could wipe the floor with almost all of the current "stars". cheers