first off i gotta say J Dilla was/is on another level when it comes to production, and i mean the highest level. To me he is the illest producer of all time. I recall reading or hearing in an interview (think it was ?uestlove actually) that J Dilla couldnt play any instruments? does anyone know if this is true? I know some keyboard work was added to some of his beats (heard in an interview again that) Common's Donnit originally was just the baseline flip and the rest was added after the fact. So was he doing all this by ear? I know its possible to play everything out by ear with no actual classical training but as for someone who makes beats myself with no actual classical training , listening to Dilla's work is even more mind blowing. Another reason i am wondering if he played any instruments is because during a Soulquarians interview he is explaining each member and says "ahmir is stupid with the drums..D'angelo is nice with the piano..and i here i come, and all i know is how to use the mpc" (paraphrased that quote) Also LOL @ him saying "all he knows how to do is use the mpc" as if he hasnt created just as many classics! always hear stories about his humility but that seems like a pretty dope example of it...but yeah if anyone has any info holla lol
9. "RE: Quest walked in on him playing bass" In response to Reply # 7
im almost 100% sure i read that questlove said the exact opposite in an interview lol, he was saying he was so shocked at the music j dilla made because he was not trained and didnt 'know' how to play any instruments...
sweeneykovar Member since Oct 26th 2004 10122 posts
Fri Feb-03-12 12:32 AM
10. "the drums obviously. he also grew up playing cello" In response to Reply # 0
and there's a clip of Daedelus talking about chilling with him at an airport waiting for a flight and him taking a small keyboard Daedelus had and just playing it.
"Slaves got options...cowards aint got shit." --PS "Once upon a time, little need existed for making the distinction between a nigga and a black—at least not in this country, the place where niggas were invented" -- Donnell A
15. "hyperbole aside (yeah it's possible when discussing Dilla)" In response to Reply # 0
his mom said he played cello when he was younger and he was VERY good at it he played drums and keys somewhat, but he didn't practice enough to be first rate at either and he dabbled in bass but he wasn't really proficient enough to play live onstage, but he could get very good tones out of it
__________________________________________ CHOP-THESE-BITCHES!!!! ------------------------------------ Garhart Ivanhoe Poppwell Un-OK'd moderator for The Lesson and Make The Music (yes, I do's work up in here, and in your asscrease if you run foul of this
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
The Lesson
