I would so dread ever touching an instrument if this was true, but did it really only take him just a year after receiving his first guitar from "Mr. John L. Nelson" that he had mastered this instrument. IF SO, then, I vow never to touch the guitar and/or the piano ever again because it brings me down to hear such things. I know that sounds crazy, but I am a self-proclaimed pessimist and I just can't help myself with the negativity. Sorry, in advance for my disturbance. My name is Niacno Contiago Chapaman. I was born in "Detroit, Michigan", raised here for the first few years, moved to "Virginia Beach, Virginia" and stayed for about five years with my mother and my surrogate father (At the time). I moved back here and I have been listening to "Prince" every since my spirit had been in another person's body before I was born out of mother's. I am realyy into this music thing. It takes me places and soothes in ways that a "Jagged Little Pill" could anyday for my neurotic troubles. Hello! How are you all? Once again, I am sorry for the long post in advance.

Welcome to the org.

There's no real way we can verify whether he did or didn't "master" the guitar in only a year... I guess it depends on how you define "mastered". One thing we do know is that he's a fast learner, so it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything (to quote Back To The Future ).

I taught myself to play guitar when I was in high school. I wouldn't say I mastered it (even now), but after a year I could certainly fumble my way through most things - and I wasn't even that dedicated at the time.

i'm in chesapeake va. i used to live in norfolk. but i kno lots of people in va. beach

I know how you feel. Every time I see Prince live, I realize the gap between him and me on guitar is incomprehensively large.

But, the point of playing music isn't to be as good as this guy or that woman. The point of playing music is, IMHO, to make one feel good. If you can play something that makes you feel good, then you are a success.

You don't have to be at Prince's level to do that, believe me.

Also, as many people will tell you, the journey is usually more fun than reaching the destination. That means that should you ever get as good as Prince, the real fun you'll have is watching yourself improve along the way.

So, go for it! Make yourself happy with your music and whatever level you reach will be just fine.

i guess it depends on your definition of mastered. i dont feel anyone every truly masters it, cause you continue to learn new things throughout the years. i am pretty sure some things prince played in say the 90's he didn't know in the 70's. now, being an extremely proficient player in a year, no doubt he probably was, which in itself is a rarity.

Alright, well that's all cool. I appreciate the feedback. I am a piano player and a guitar player, avidly. I play both by ear (I just don't like the theoretical point of view on music. I am all about the aesthetic, much like "Prince". Sound is everything to me). How many of you guys are like that? Man, I wish I could actually talk to "Prince" about this sort of thing, as well. That would be cool, just to see what he would say, just as long as I don't get the "Kevin Smith" treatment. His experience sounded like one that I wouldn't tolerate with "Prince".
[Edited 6/11/07 12:36pm]

cinnamongrl said:

I grew up in Hampton

Welcome to the org

I grew up in the Netherlands... welcome!

toejam said:

MartyMcFly said:

No you can't. You can't fly with just your arms

It is not unheard of for a young child to be able to master an instrument very quickly, it gets harder as they get older but lots of children are musical prodigies and start very young.

bboy87 said:

I live in "Virginia Beach, Virginia"
Ppl are coming out of the woodworks now. lol

FarrahMoan said:

I hope you don't completely shut your mind from the "theoretical point of view" of music - it's an extremely valuable tool. Playing by ear is cool, but it's also somewhat limiting (just as only learning the theory can be limiting). You need to be able to do both. Knowing the theory will improve your ability to play by ear and vice-versa.

Prince may not be able to (or chooses not to) read music, but he definately knows his theory back to front - he's often talked about the importance of knowing all the scales/modes and chord voicings etc. and how this improves you as a musician.

( The Kevin Smith treatment )

toejam said:

Oh, who wouldn't know the basics by now. That's all I know and that's really all I plan to know. I know that you can benefit from at least the basic scales and chords. Hell, "Prince" has made it a habit to lyrically allude to the basics of music theory (i.e. "Minor G is the chord of pleasure/It will be played eleven measures." and "She whispered something that shook my mind/Like a G Flat Major With an E in the Bass"). But, any more than the basics messes with my head quite frankly.

I'll never play the guitar.

Prince will never be 6'3".

It all balances out.

FarrahMoan said:

Ah well that's cool then. As a muso myself, I just get frustrated with people who pretend that they don't need theory at all.