Anyone ever seen Prince play 2 instruments at the same time? I've seen it once on TV, on a short documentary where he was sort of "warming up" for an after show. He was playing the keyboards and the guitar at the same time. He was playing the guitar chords with his left hand wearing a glove so the sound of the guitar was somewhat smuthered, sounding more quiet, while he played a keyboard solo with his right hand. Amazing, especially since it sounded in no way out of tune or whatever. It really sounded great.

In addition to Prince doing this recently and once in a while throughout his live career, he famously jammed on guitar and keyboard at the same time for the CD-Single, NPGMC and Napster releases of The Work Part 1 (not the album version, though).

There is also "video evidence" of such a thing (although not quite as remarkable as the guitar/keys combo), on the Rave DVD.

Before 1999, Prince is jamming a bassline on the synth and occassionally playing a drum (possibly a timbale). What he's doing with the drum is fairly simplistic (hence why I say less remarkable), but its never out of time and he doesn't drop his work on the keys at all. You can see him putting the drumstick in his mouth when playing the keys with both hands.

^ That's right. I forgot about that.

There's a track on Crystal Ball, Calhoun Square, wherein he palys bass and something that sounds like a clavinet at the same time. The liner notes claim that the track was recorded live in the studio and that Prince played the bass and keyboard together.

On a side not, as musician that plays many of the same instruments Prince does - this is not as hard as it looks. That's not to take anything away from Prince, just saying.

steakfinger said:

There's a track on Crystal Ball, Calhoun Square, wherein he palys bass and something that sounds like a clavinet at the same time. The liner notes claim that the track was recorded live in the studio and that Prince played the bass and keyboard together.

On a side not, as musician that plays many of the same instruments Prince does - this is not as hard as it looks. That's not to take anything away from Prince, just saying.

Indeed, although, it does depend on the complexity of what's being played, of course

I witnissed P doing this back in 98 at the club townshend aftershow in sf.

He strolled out in his white npg parka w/ the gold symbol guitar & started "The Ride" while playing both keys & guitar. Too cool.

[Edited 11/9/11 14:30pm]

He played guitar en keys in Rotterdam on the 26th of july 2011.

In 1998 saw him play guitar and eat a sandwich simultaneously during aftershow in Nighttown - Rotterdam, does that count too

YEAH he plays his instrument

Sander250 said:

He played guitar en keys in Rotterdam on the 26th of july 2011.

In 1998 saw him play guitar and eat a sandwich simultaneously during aftershow in Nighttown - Rotterdam, does that count too

That's genius lol

Don't forget Prince of Paisley Park. Guitar and keys.

He played guitar and piano simultaneously at the final Oakland show on Feb. 24... It was very to see.

[Edited 11/9/11 21:10pm]

Sander250 said:

He played guitar en keys in Rotterdam on the 26th of july 2011.

In 1998 saw him play guitar and eat a sandwich simultaneously during aftershow in Nighttown - Rotterdam, does that count too

Only if he ate a sandwich, played the guitar (left) and keyboards (right) at the same time.

I witnessed him playing the guitar and the keys on several tracks at the hippodrome aftershow in London in 1998. Amazing stuff.

I'm a musician myself and I read someone stating it was not that hard. Well my answer is it depends on what you're playing. Prince has an amazing hands coordination. It's insane.

didnt he do this recently in one of the scandinavian shows?

i think it was sweden?!? I saw a clip of it on youtube.

At the intro of Controversy, Prince played his Hohner and tapped on the drums simultaniously.

2010 Gelredome in The Netherlands.

I have seen this multiple times at Paisley Park circa 1995-1999.

He would jam with the goldenaxxe while strumming the guitar.

I saw him play his keyboards (4 of them) with drumsticks in Studio B at Paisley Park in the summer of '99. It was straight sick. I've never seen anything like it. "let me hit the rims" and then he put the microphone down and built the rhythm off of the keyboards. It was impressive!

Does this qualify?

He probably played with 2 woman at once. Probably using more than 1 instrument at a time.

NoNameReporter said:

I saw him play his keyboards (4 of them) with drumsticks in Studio B at Paisley Park in the summer of '99. It was straight sick. I've never seen anything like it. "let me hit the rims" and then he put the microphone down and built the rhythm off of the keyboards. It was impressive!

Does this qualify?

Oh yes!