Frank Hamilton makes several very good points. But who is Frank Hamilton, you ask? Well, THIS sort of answers the question. I'd say he knows what he's talking about and I'd heed anything he has to say about folk guitar.

Basic, simple song accompaniment is the place to start. To me, that's the nucleus of the whole thing. A good, straightforward "Burl Ives basic" smoothly played is always appropriate, whereas I've heard a lot of fine songs completely buried under razzle-dazzle guitar work. If singing is what you're about, learn to do simple, straightforward accompaniments first. Then pick up the embellishments.

I worked one summer for a picture framer who did a lot of work for famous artists and for major galleries in the area. He said, "A good frame should reflect elements in the painting itself, such as the shape and the color of the molding. It should set the painting off in space, but it should not draw attention to itself. If people look at a painting and all they can say is, 'Isn't that a great frame?' then, no, it isn't. It's failed its purpose"

I think the same principle applies to a good song accompaniment. If you notice the accompaniment more than the song, then it hasn't done what it's supposed to do:   accompany the song.

Uh . . . I'm afraid I can't agree with Rusty Dobro that it's all in the right hand. Of course this is a somewhat different style of guitar playing, but it gives an idea of just how useful a fairly nimble left hand can be. Clicky #1.

Of course, this is not to say that the right hand can't be pretty important too. Clicky #2. Believe it or not, I used to be able to play that. Still can, sort of.

The lady is a pretty fair picker. (I think I'm in love. . . .).

Don Firth