or is this a dumb question?

He's never played any horns on his records.

But people like Maceo, Candy, and Sonny T. have always said that he's a pretty damn good sax player.

He played a sax as a kid.
Does that count?

MrHennepin said:

I once read that Prince played the sax in his middle school years ?

Sorry for twisting the original question, but I personally wonder if he can play the violin - I've heard it being said many times that he can play 'dozens of instruments', but I've never heard the violin being mentioned specifically, and I know it's a particularly hard instrument to learn.
Anyone knows?...

Flo6 said:

Probably not.

I'm sure he could fudge his away around the violin if he wanted. He plays guitar, and the only real difference is that the strings on a violin are spaced in 5ths instead of 4ths. But anyone with a good knowledge of music theory/relative pitch (like Prince definately has) wouldn't have too much of a problem adjusting. Sure, he wouldn't be amazing, but I'm sure he could belt out "Mary Had A Little Lamb" if he had to .

I just can't imagine Prince playing the violin or any horns!

sax and violin both -- ever see "Face Down" video?

seriously tho, i doubt he's played the sax (or any reed instrument) in decades
it's not something you can just pick up and play whenever you want

Snap said:

oooh yeeah i remember that. he made those funny faces while playin violin and his legs were all types of funky lol

i remember reading he had sax lessons at school but gave up...he said it's something he regrets

Well.....It is very obvious to me that Prince has understood the part that horns play in musical compositions since he has included the horns sections in many of his chef d'oeuvres.
I sincerely think that he had to have been xposed to the instruments at some time in his life and it would probably b a challenge for him to understand horns and play them...however...it might hurt his pretty lips

Horns are the only instruments that Prince can't play. See the liner notes in The Hits and B-Sides...

Cheek said:

Can you imagine him playing the flute?

Thanks! I'll see if I can get my hands on the Face Down video, I'm really curious.

Snap said:

Sax, as I found out from a French horn player, is not actually a horn, but a woodwind! Go figure.

ToraToraDreams said:

Flo6 said:

well, in the video he's just fooling around
i personally believe he did it in response to a similar thread being discussed on AMP back in the day

TANKAEFC said:

This is true, however in the context of funk (and most other forms of popular music), the term "horns" usually refers to saxs, trumpets, trombones and the like. If I were asked to write for a 'horn section', I would most definately include sax. However if I were asked to write for a 'brass section' then I would only use trumpets, trombones and tubas etc.

toejam said:

Paris9748430 said:

My theory is that either they're being generous in their praise, he can't actually play and they're fibbing, or for some reason he's choosing to keep his hornz to himself.

toejam said:

Playing the violin myself, I have to say that it isn't only extremely tough to learn, you also need practice on an almost daily basis - otherwise you play out of tune immediately. My violin teacher (who played 1st violin in a major symphony orchestra) used to play very basic exercises after his summer holidays for a whole week just to get back to his usual level. Even if Prince has learned playing the violin a bit, I doubt that his schedule allows this kind of constant practice.

Maceo has said that Prince doesn't but he has no doubt that if he ever tryie he would be great at it. Prince is not messing with his pretty lips, and he's so small, doesn't look like he has the lung power.
[Edited 3/10/08 2:37am]

this whole thread has made me think of this picture and how prince might end up playing the violin bet he could still make it sound funky


[Edited 3/10/08 2:44am]

He can play his own horn since he had his rib removed

Dayclear said:

the lung power?? lol my sister and myself are both smaller then prince and can play the alto sax quite well thank you being small doesn't effect your lung power

Do horn players handle vocals also? How does the horn impact your singing voice?

of course he can. he is horny all the time

You can't stick your tongue out at people and make funny faces playing the sax, I'd assume.

jasontate said:

Hmmm... so can he or can't he?
I'm confused.