We've had this thread many times, and most people seem to agree that he doesn't play anywhere near that many instruments, unless you count each different type of keyboard/synthesizer (etc) as a different instrument..

Some old threads on this topic..

http://prince.org/msg/7/336860 [there's even more links within this thread]
http://prince.org/msg/7/229592

http://prince.org/msg/7/360905

[Edited 5/2/12 8:42am]

Does handclapsandfingasnaps count as one or two?

[img:$uid]http://i.imgur.com/43wSo.jpg[/img:$uid]

Can you even name 50 instruments? Nevermind 50 that have been used in Prince's music?

That should basically answer your question...

fusk said:

[img:$uid]http://i.imgur.com/43wSo.jpg[/img:$uid]

I always knew Dr. Manhattan was funky.

It's just a blurb to sound impressive, it's pretty easy to get to 50: guitar, bass, drums, piano, synth, drum machine, voice yadda, yadda - all the usual ones as well as the triangle, spoons, comb and tissue, hands (for clapping), feet (for tapping), fingers (for snapping), eyelashes (for batting).

Yes and about 39 of them were various kinds of keyboards, synsthesisers and ancient 70s things like Clavinovas. Also who would count handclaps and finga snaps as a an instrument. In a way they are percussion, and the most rudimentary things could be used to make a rhythm. I read in some books about Motown artists that often before they were stars they were bought in to bang sticks on a tea chest or just bang a piece of wood on a pipe to get some percussion or syncopated sound. Berry Gordy usually never paid them above a hot meal and studio exposure and these contributions were uncredited. I think on a lot of early Mary Wells and Miracles songs you can hear these instruments in the background. I am sure too a lot of other people were doing these in the days before good synthesisers and keyboards were available that make a range of various noises (Before the mid 70s). As amusing as it is, they are hardly trained instruments like the piano.

My guess is that he plays all the following well

1. Piano

2. Keyboards, synthesisers (1 type of instrument to me)

3. Lead and Rhythmn electric guitar

4. Acoustic guitar (I will be kind and say these are two instruments rather than just guitars)

5. Bass (Prince relies on others, but he play with the best of them)

6. Drums (One of his strongest

7. Programming mixing boards (For production and mixing of music - not strictly an instrument but having knowledge of this thing helps)

8. Organs (If you can even distinguish them from Keys and Pianos)

9. Drum machines (This is being real kind and pushing the boat out)

10. Vocals - Lets not forget a good vocalist is important and Prince is one of the best singers around, his voice has a good range from Falsetto to his male voice and then the gruff grunting on Bob George.

11. Dance - I consider being a great and limbic dancer a huge asset.

12. Tambourines

13. Maracas (and other percussion instruments)

Things Prince might play less well or I am not sure.

1. Classical/Flamenco guitar

2. 12 String guitar/bass and any other guiatred variation like the 2 handled thing

3. Other string instruments like mandolins and mandolas, lutes etc (Extremely doubtful)

4. Flutes, nasal percussion things)

Things he dosen't play that I know of

1. Hornz (Atlanta Bliss, Eric Leeds etc)

2. Saxophone (Prince is NOT Clarence Clemons)

3. Strings (Clare Fisher type stuff)

So in all I get 6 Fully trined instruments, 4 more less trained and 3 possibles, well short of the 50+ claimed by some. Please correct me if I am wrong. Even if I am wrong and we count all of these its still only in the high teens.

I mean are there even 50 different instruments to master (Excluding traditional/native or homemade percussion instruments, like flutes, tea chests, sheep jawbones etc)

NouveauDance said:

It's just a blurb to sound impressive, it's pretty easy to get to 50: guitar, bass, drums, piano, synth, drum machine, voice yadda, yadda - all the usual ones as well as the triangle, spoons, comb and tissue, hands (for clapping), feet (for tapping), fingers (for snapping), eyelashes (for batting).

Love it.

What about tambourine?

Emancipation89 said:

Adorecream said:

Yes and about 39 of them were various kinds of keyboards, synsthesisers and ancient 70s things like Clavinovas. Also who would count handclaps and finga snaps as a an instrument. In a way they are percussion, and the most rudimentary things could be used to make a rhythm. I read in some books about Motown artists that often before they were stars they were bought in to bang sticks on a tea chest or just bang a piece of wood on a pipe to get some percussion or syncopated sound. Berry Gordy usually never paid them above a hot meal and studio exposure and these contributions were uncredited. I think on a lot of early Mary Wells and Miracles songs you can hear these instruments in the background. I am sure too a lot of other people were doing these in the days before good synthesisers and keyboards were available that make a range of various noises (Before the mid 70s). As amusing as it is, they are hardly trained instruments like the piano.

My guess is that he plays all the following well

1. Piano

2. Keyboards, synthesisers (1 type of instrument to me)

3. Lead and Rhythmn electric guitar

4. Acoustic guitar (I will be kind and say these are two instruments rather than just guitars)

5. Bass (Prince relies on others, but he play with the best of them)

6. Drums (One of his strongest

7. Programming mixing boards (For production and mixing of music - not strictly an instrument but having knowledge of this thing helps)

8. Organs (If you can even distinguish them from Keys and Pianos)

9. Drum machines (This is being real kind and pushing the boat out)

10. Vocals - Lets not forget a good vocalist is important and Prince is one of the best singers around, his voice has a good range from Falsetto to his male voice and then the gruff grunting on Bob George.

11. Dance - I consider being a great and limbic dancer a huge asset.

12. Tambourines

13. Maracas (and other percussion instruments)

You forgot Harmonica

Piano = Keyboard = Synthesizer =/= Organ

I don't really count Piano and Keyboard as two different instruments, but playing an organ requires different technique than playing Piano or Keyboards.

Yes I did, I knew I would forget something. Thats Prince he keeps you guessing.

You forgot Harmonica

Piano = Keyboard = Synthesizer =/= Organ

I don't really count Piano and Keyboard as two different instruments, but playing an organ requires different technique than playing Piano or Keyboards.

Playing a synthesizer is very different from playing piano. It's like saying 'if you can play guitar you can play bass'.

Adorecream said:

Things he dosen't play that I know of

2. Saxophone (Prince is NOT Clarence Clemons)

Actually according to the book DMSR, he learned sax in junior high or high school. Whether or not he's ever played it professionally I can't say...

Emancipation89 said:

Adorecream said:

Yes and about 39 of them were various kinds of keyboards, synsthesisers and ancient 70s things like Clavinovas. Also who would count handclaps and finga snaps as a an instrument. In a way they are percussion, and the most rudimentary things could be used to make a rhythm. I read in some books about Motown artists that often before they were stars they were bought in to bang sticks on a tea chest or just bang a piece of wood on a pipe to get some percussion or syncopated sound. Berry Gordy usually never paid them above a hot meal and studio exposure and these contributions were uncredited. I think on a lot of early Mary Wells and Miracles songs you can hear these instruments in the background. I am sure too a lot of other people were doing these in the days before good synthesisers and keyboards were available that make a range of various noises (Before the mid 70s). As amusing as it is, they are hardly trained instruments like the piano.

My guess is that he plays all the following well

1. Piano

2. Keyboards, synthesisers (1 type of instrument to me)

3. Lead and Rhythmn electric guitar

4. Acoustic guitar (I will be kind and say these are two instruments rather than just guitars)

5. Bass (Prince relies on others, but he play with the best of them)

6. Drums (One of his strongest

7. Programming mixing boards (For production and mixing of music - not strictly an instrument but having knowledge of this thing helps)

8. Organs (If you can even distinguish them from Keys and Pianos)

9. Drum machines (This is being real kind and pushing the boat out)

10. Vocals - Lets not forget a good vocalist is important and Prince is one of the best singers around, his voice has a good range from Falsetto to his male voice and then the gruff grunting on Bob George.

11. Dance - I consider being a great and limbic dancer a huge asset.

12. Tambourines

13. Maracas (and other percussion instruments)

You forgot Harmonica

Piano = Keyboard = Synthesizer =/= Organ

I don't really count Piano and Keyboard as two different instruments, but playing an organ requires different technique than playing Piano or Keyboards.

Agreed. I've done several sound tech gigs for churches. It's always amazing when someone who is obviously just a pianist tries organ duties lol.

alphachannel said:

Adorecream said:

Things he dosen't play that I know of

2. Saxophone (Prince is NOT Clarence Clemons)

Actually according to the book DMSR, he learned sax in junior high or high school. Whether or not he's ever played it professionally I can't say...

Wouldn't it be great to see him on a saxophone, he might surprise us all. I remember that part in the book about him learning sax. I think he may have thought it wasn't as much fun as guitar or piano.