Mike, I like to argue and question and think on things I can't be in a trancelike state absorbed by music all the time, my brain would get very hyper. And why not talk and think about folk music. This was a big issue for me when I started thinking about doing the degree, and I got lots of people saying it was a bad thing for folk music - like you saying just get on and play it. But if you don't understand it how can you do it well. Spending time sorting your head out about the music and songs you are playing is IMO going to help with your performance. You wouldn't expect to jump into scientific experiments, or start building a modern art sculpture without thinking about it first.