Hi again, Colm:

Some lyricists do "gravitate" into playing an instrument... or at least do the best they can... as is the case with me. I began writing lyrics at the request of a friend who would provide the melody and vocals. When he returned to his "day job" full time, that left me high and dry. My options were: 1. Continue to write lyrics and go "begging" to find someone willing to put up with my words and ill-formed lines; 2. Learn to play something in order to understand that musical structure usually requires the words to "land in all the right places"... LOL!

It has been a difficult ride for me... and, if that were not enough... I had to begin singing in order to demonstrate approximately how my creations should sound. Time and hard work cures many things... and I have improved a little. I still don't consider myself a singer and never perform in public. But I can write 'til my heart is content now. Lyrics, Melody and vocal in one package... without those sometimes heated discussions with co-writers!

Guitar would have been my first choice but I do not have the hands and well-formed fingers for that exquisite instrument. An arranger keyboard was a wise choice for me.

Dave