We all know what a great guitarist he is, but the emphasis always seems to be his leads and solos (which of course ROCK). But his rhythm skills seem overlooked in the press.

Have there been any decent articles or mini workshops about this in guitar magazines over years? Does anyone have any links to tabulture sites where the focus is rhythm? He seems to use alot of 6/9th hybrid chords. Tasty and understated.

My personal favorite examples are 'Lady Cab Driver', 'It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night' '2 Nigs United For West Compton' and especially 'Possessed' - the funky guitar break towards the end RULES.

The 'Dirty Mind' album is a masterpiece of rhythm guitar playing. I wish he'd focus more on it on his albums. It's tight!

I LOVE prince's rhythm guitar playing! I seriously think he's a better rhythm guitar player than he is a solo guitar player (now don't flame me, it's just my opinion...).

An all funk album with loads of his funky rhythm guitar on it, that's what I want!

I've got a couple at home. One is in Guitar Player and it focusses on this very thing - Prince's genius rhythm playing! It provides loads of tabs for funky licks that Prince has put down and they just love his playing.

They challenge the reader just to try that chicken-scratch lick from Controversy - sounds easy, but it ain't. Getting the syncopation right to get the riff sounding right is harder than it seems.

I'll see if I can dig it out when I get home from work and put some stuff up on here.

Yes, "Lady Cab Driver" is a prime example! Everything in that song just stinks FUNK!
I can't really decide between solos os rhythm... I think usually, distorded wahwah-solos might sound more impressive, but a really tight, on the point rhythm isn't as easy as it seems.
And Prince can definitely do that.

Very good point ... one which was touched on in the first episode of the Radio 2 'Purple Reign' broadcast. Can't remember who said it, but they did say that he's probably the best rhythm guitarist in history.

Rhythm guitar playing is probably underestimated in general, but it can take as much skill as lead ... especially in Prince's case.


The examples you mentioned are good ones. I reckon it's most evident in some of the funk set stuff he used to do live.

L

terrencetuppins said:

Its the same with all the greatr guitar players of our time mate. Jimi Hendrix was the same but no one ever gave him credit.

A guitar solo is easy to recognise as good for a musical layman but rhythm work is harder to tell

Yes..I thought I was one of the few people that appreciated his rhythm guitar skills. My favorites are Sexuality, DMSR, Lady Cab Driver, 1999, and Controversy. Prince's work on rhythm is greatly overlooked.

I'll see if I can dig it out when I get home from work and put some stuff up on here.[/quote]

Please do when you have a chance. We'd all like some new strumming lessons.

If you can list which issues they are, it would be much appreciated. I'd love to try and order back issues of them eventually.

TRON said:

I thought I was the only one who thought so. His playing on "Partyup" is sublime.

Rhythm is what puts a dip in your hip. Sometimes lead guitar is overrated at the expense of holding down the other end.

I can play some of those tunes. But it's only cuz I'm a rhythm guitarist too...OK, fine, don't believe me.

I've always loved his rhythm guitar playing. You can hear that Jimmy Nolan influence (one of JB's guitarists) as well as Sly Stone's and his brother Freddie. I'm amazed at the space BETWEEN the notes. The syncopation.
BTW Hendrix was a great rhythm player too (Wait Until Tomorrow) has some great parts in it.

Didn't Jimmy Jam say Prince was one of the greatest rhythm guitar players ever on that BBC2 documentary?
If not greatest, he said something like Prince is very underrated, I can't remember.
It was interesting to hear someone finally talk about his rhythm guitar playing.
funkaholic1972, I'm with you. Bring on the all-funk album followed by the all-funk tour!