It seems like Prince's ability to move his ass increased dramatically from 1999 onwards (I think Little Red Corvette was the first really professionally polished performance).

It is widely known that Paula Abdul "taught" Janet Jackson how to dance. The basics of movement and anticipation and rhythm, that is not natural to most people.

Does anyone know if there was a Paula in Prince's life that helped him out back in the day?

I've tried to check this out on the internet, but I only end up with choreographers who have worked with him on specific projects.

good question...he did learn to get down pretty well ...compared to when he started...

StaticDeth said:

he is a great dancer...

watch LOVESEXY LIVE and you know it. his solo in LOVESEXY is just amazing.

I think he just got much more comfortable on stage...He was very into himself previously. He moves in a way that cannot be taught.

You cant teach someone to shimmy their ass.

It just can't be taught.

cinnamonjo said:

Actually, it can be taught, esp. to a perfectionist like Prince. A lot of his moves are very technical.. with ballet and jazz elements. Homeboy had a teacher.

Paula taught Janet... I'm just saying..

altavista said:

maybe he studied some video's and copied it

altavista said:

His moves dont seem very technical; but they do seem rehearsed.

Im not talking rehearsed with a teacher....I mean rehearsed with two mirrors and a some funky music on your own.

maybe the one behind the window

thEfRIeNdChiP said:

-----



I do think he picked up stuff from other ppl, but from observance, not an actual teacher. I've learned to dance better by observance, Prince, Aaliyah, etc. and it works better if you practice on your own. You learn to move with the music, not with memorized techniques. That's why he dances beter than MJ, imo.
But when I do dance, it's my own, you have to feel it. Not memorize it, which I don't think Prince does.

blusapphire said:

whatever



Prince taught his damn self. He's funk is all him.

lilgish said:

If you guys say so. I guess when you sleep 4 hrs a day you have plenty of time to learn the steps. ... but still...

lilgish said:

I never said he didn't teach himself, I said you have take others examples when learning how to dance, to play a new instrument, anything actually. That's why I never said some1 else taught him. Actually, you can't learn to dance with out some sort of example.


But if you're disagreeing about the MJ thing...

BRING IT!

blusapphire said:

I'm agreeing with you on the P dancing



..that was just a side comment.

Diasagreeing about the MJ thing. Did you see my Dancing Machine thread in non prince a few weeks ago. Never seen P do the Robot or break for that matter
The only thing you can throw at me is SOTT movie, Parade or Love Sexy eras. I got 30 years...

Thieves in the temple...if you wanna argue the brother don't choreograph. It's on personal taste, but in a str8 battle, P would lose.

watch me get banned now.

I have read that Paula abdul was an uncredited advisor choreographer for Prince for Graffiti Bridge and it's videos, and the performances aorund that time.

altavista said:

I think he always knew how to dance..

He just let loose, as he became more comfortable with his audience.

My beautician taught Prince how to do the Electric Slide when it first came out. She and some friends were hanging out at Glam Slam and up in the VIP room she taught him how to do it! But, of course that's just one dance, from a very long time ago...but still counts!

*She said he was very nice and fun....I wish I was her back then! LoL

Rhonda S.

dorgish said:[quote]

blusapphire said:

YOU'RE BANNED YOU MJ LOVER!

altavista said:

First and foremost James Brown but Prince did develop his own style as he went on, for eg his dancing in the sott concert movie was fantastic

angelcake24 said:

Hmmm... wasn't Glam Slam his club from the 80s/90s.... wasn't the Electric Slide from the 70s.....

Cool story if it's true...

altavista said:

I think Prince mostly taught himself and just became more refined as years went by. Certainly he learned from observing others around him, his first big inspiration would have been James Brown, but remember Price from a young age took this rockstar ambition by the horns the guy was a workaholic perfectionist be sure he was doing his research he would of been checking evrybody and anybody who could move good ...he just took it all in and came up with his own style. Personally i cant see Prince rolling up to some dance teacher and requesting lessons its not his style.

altavista said:

Exactly. Such utter boolsheet.

I think even Prince would admit that he is not really a dancer.

He CAN dance, but he's not a dancer like let's say...Paula Abdul or even Britney Spears are.

Michael Jackson is also not a dancer, but he is extraordinarily good at what he does. Unfortunately for the past fifteen years, it's been the same moves. Janet has far surpassed him in terms of pure dance ability.

In terms of a straight-up dance off between Prince and Michael? Michael, by far.

But who's the baddess mo-fo dancing with a guitar, keeping in time, leading a band? Prince takes it all the way home.

LOL hey I was just telling you what SHE told me! don't gang up on me!

Rhonda S.

Prince is a rhythmic person so he just learned to dance especially after making so many grooves himself to jam to. Although, he did learn to do some things from dance classes when they were preparing to make Purple Rain along with the Revolution and the Time. But the brother is just naturally gifted dancer and those who say because he is black well not all black people can dance. We are just mostly pushed dancewise by our parents who loved to see us dance as small children or most of us.Like that little baby video that is going around of the Baby "Beyonce". If you have not seen it,You are missing a treat.

jimmyrogertodd said:

You know... your point about his being a musician and by extension his extraordinary rhythm and timing, is pretty key... good insight

Why Thank U Thank U very much!!!

U seen "daddy pop" live. He does a whole dance routine with the ga(y)me boys. The routine is pretty funny. Once again they bugger eachother. They simulate that quite alot actually.

Ahh good times with the gameboys. I love them dudes.

i have been watching prince dance 4 blah blah years, and one thing i always see is a touch of james. just like micheal, prince learned 2 dance watching his heroes shake they asses. i had 12 years of ballet, and that helps, but i can still shake it fast, like a stripper. i guess the point i am trying 2 make is U learn by example, no matter what it is. now, if i could just come up from the splits a smooth as prince, i could be a bigger version of him

peace,
j