His piano solos and improvs sound so classy in that cool effortless jazzy kind of way. How do you learn to play like that??

I would have 2 say it's a combination of having a strong musical background - especially knowing music theory and general concepts of chords - and just paying very close attention 2 other great musicians working their magic on the piano. Watch Prince, watch Alicia Keys, watch anyone who is capable of playing incredible piano solos in their sleep.

While I think your advice is great for anyone who wants to learn to solo... I really don't think that's how Prince does it...

Prince is a natural. He understands music in a way 99.9 percent of the world does not. The keys make total sense to him and he just plays... Practicing a lot has gotten him the dexterity needed to play what he plays, but as far as what he hears in his head and how he translates it to the piano... I don't think he's using any theory. It flows visceraly from him.

Also, Alicia Keys is not remotely in his league.

get a keyboard and headphones. start playing along with your favorite songs. put in your own harmonies. it takes time and practice.

drclay said:

While I think your advice is great for anyone who wants to learn to solo... I really don't think that's how Prince does it...

Prince is a natural. He understands music in a way 99.9 percent of the world does not. The keys make total sense to him and he just plays... Practicing a lot has gotten him the dexterity needed to play what he plays, but as far as what he hears in his head and how he translates it to the piano... I don't think he's using any theory. It flows visceraly from him.

Also, Alicia Keys is not remotely in his league.

Exactly. Being able to play by ear (especially at his level) is a gift very few people are given.

To put it simply, perfect pitch (or a strong sense of relative pitch for those without such a gift) and thousands of hours of practice!

Genesia said:

drclay said:

While I think your advice is great for anyone who wants to learn to solo... I really don't think that's how Prince does it...

Prince is a natural. He understands music in a way 99.9 percent of the world does not. The keys make total sense to him and he just plays... Practicing a lot has gotten him the dexterity needed to play what he plays, but as far as what he hears in his head and how he translates it to the piano... I don't think he's using any theory. It flows visceraly from him.

Also, Alicia Keys is not remotely in his league.

Exactly. Being able to play by ear (especially at his level) is a gift very few people are given.

But he is not the only one with this gift. Case closed!

I was kinda hoping for some actual help and advice on this. I don't believe Prince was just born with the natural ability to play like that...

Fiona01 said:

I was kinda hoping for some actual help and advice on this. I don't believe Prince was just born with the natural ability to play like that...

You may believe what you like, of course. But speaking as someone who studied piano for a lot of years (and can't play by ear to save her soul), I can tell you that it does take a great deal of natural ability.

The same way as to learn tot play saxophone like Charlie Parker...to be born with an unbelievable amount of talent!

This type of talent is inborn yes...but is Prince the only one on the planet with that inborn ability?...lol

We really don't know how much is inborn as opposed to what is developed through practise...your best bet is to try and contact Lisa (Coleman) and get her viewpoint as to what he can do & how he does it...as compared to her...she knew him for soooo long...

.

muskiediver said:

Genesia said:

Exactly. Being able to play by ear (especially at his level) is a gift very few people are given.

But he is not the only one with this gift. Case closed!

Who said he was??

Spinlight said:

muskiediver said:

But he is not the only one with this gift. Case closed!

Who said he was??

Thank you.

I agree with XxAxX. Practice. Over a period of time anyone playing keyboards will understand the connections of chords and melodies and how they work together.

P is a natural but we all know he did a lot of woodshedding.

Fiona01 said:

I was kinda hoping for some actual help and advice on this. I don't believe Prince was just born with the natural ability to play like that...

"strong musical background - especially knowing music theory and general concepts of chords"

"paying very close attention 2 other great musicians working their magic on the piano"

"get a keyboard and headphones. start playing along with your favorite songs. put in your own harmonies."

"perfect pitch (or a strong sense of relative pitch for those without such a gift) and thousands of hours of practice!"

I believe people have been giving you the advice you're looking for...?

You can emulate Prince's style - in fact, if you listen to him play more than other artists, you probably will - but if there was a "Learn to play just like Prince in 10 easy steps", Prince wouldn't be nearly as famous as he is and the music industry wouldn't be in nearly as much trouble as it is.

Take these posters' advice - develop your musical knowledge & theory, listen to the greats, play, play play, don't be afraid of things sounding all wrong when you start diverging from the written music, practice, practice, practice until things sound less wrong, then practice more.

Building a network of other players is not a bad idea, either, as you can play for and learn from each other.

Good luck!!

His playing is jazz-based, so pick up some jazz piano.

R&B tends to play up the rhythm and play down the harmonic complexity of jazz (arguable, but I'll say it) - so acquiring some good jazz chops will get you there.

I recommend "The Jazz Piano Book" by Mark Levine.

http://www.amazon.com/The...amp;sr=1-1

(And remember - Prince didn't really do a lot of jazz until many years into his recording career. For everyone, including P, it starts from nothing...)

[Edited 3/16/11 15:48pm]

Genesia said:

Fiona01 said:

I was kinda hoping for some actual help and advice on this. I don't believe Prince was just born with the natural ability to play like that...

You may believe what you like, of course. But speaking as someone who studied piano for a lot of years (and can't play by ear to save her soul), I can tell you that it does take a great deal of natural ability.

Absolutely!

My girlfriend and I both play piano - she starting playing aged 12, taking lessons at school and becoming quite and accomplished "taught" player. She got to the highest Grade 8 and can play pretty much any piece of music you put in front of her.

I started playing aged 7. I had no lessons - my dad bought a keyboard one day and brought it home. My parents were watching TV and heard the keyboard being played along to music on an advert - they were surprised to see me sat at the keys! I'm very fortunate to be able to play be ear. I can hear a song, for example, whilst out shopping and get home a few hours later and be able to play it. Nobody taught me to do that and I can't explain how I do it either - I just can.

My partner is a talented player who can just play from sheet music with no problem. However, put her in a room with a bunch of other musicians and she would struggle to jam. I, on the other hand, struggle with sheet music (I have basic knowledge and can read music, but cannot sight-read (ie, just read and play the piece at the same time - I have to work it out). But, put me in a room with a band and I can just fly along with them, instantaneously.

Two very different talents - but it does go to show that some people are just born with ability and some have to learn the ability.

Prince is a heady mix of incredible natural ability (he can't even read music!) and almost countless hours of playing, which only serves to refine his ability and make him more than capable of expressing his talent.

I'll tell you how to take your first steps in a long journey.

Put on a song of his you like. A pop one, not one of the hard jazz ones.

Find out what key it's in. Plink along on that one key. Find the same key - octave up, and below. Plink on those.

Find the key halfway in the middle of an octave. Plink on that.

I think you definitely have to practice profusely, usually start at a young age, listen to other musicians, learn music theory, but you also have to have that God-given talent. I only think a small few have the ability to improvise at that level. It's a combination of talent + hard work.