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I've been wondering about this. His music and videos are all over the place now. I can't seem to find anything. I have never seen him play an instrument. I create and write using the piano or guitar. If he didn't, then it's amazing that he was able to create the volume and high level of music that he has.Did he...or didn't he?

He probably didn't play an instrument directly, maybe keyboard, or dabbled in all of them. He had a good ear for music, of that there is no doubt. I'd say just from being around such high quality music all the time he has to have picked up some musical instrument ability.

He played keys and I think he could tell a guitar player what he wanted. It helped to grow up with producers too.

I don' recall him ever being able to play an instrument. I've never seen him play one anyway. But I do remember possibly reading an article, or maybe hearing an interview (can't remember which it was) sometime ago, how he would wake up in the middle of the night (as probably we all have done) and hum/sing a melody or chorus etc...into a tape recorder, as that would be the beginning of one of the famous tunes that we've all heard at one time or another.But like Squids says, being around the business for so long, I'm sure he was good at telling the musicians & other producers exactly what it was that he wanted to hear. I would say that he probably had an incredible ear!

I think I remember him playing a red guitar during a video I saw of him playing Rockin' Robin or somehting like that - could that be true?? ...nope, that was one of his brothers...! just saw it here on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4VCUbL7jsc

He wasn't an instrumentalist. If he wanted to show anyone a part, he would hum it. He was an amazing arranger and songwriter.

Maybe this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnQ_V_hUZ5s

Yep, like I said.Gosh, that was haunting wasn't it? Beautiful.

played percussion in J5 at times.

Taught Diane Sawyer how to beatbox.