I just wanted to discuss the singing technicalities aspect of Prince's vocal performances.

Sure, Prince is a total package, but I personally never really thought of him as a "singer's singer" until maybe...Diamonds & Pearls album. Prior to that album I always thought of his vocal performances as a part of the package but wouldn't stand on its own. They're raw and funky in a similar vein to what James and Sly did but perhaps nothing technically spectacular.

Up to that point, Prince as a singer sounded more like a self-taught singer who couldn't be bothered with singing techniques. But when I first listened to songs like "Willing and Able" "Insatiable" "Damn U" "Extraordinary" etc, that's when I came to realize, hey this dude can really sing, and I mean now I think Prince as a singer he's up there with some technically gifted singers like Luther, Donny Hathaway, etc.

So I was just wondering whether or not Prince started taking some serious vocal lessons during those periods (before/during/after Diamonds & Pearls)? I read a long time ago Seth Riggs (MJ's vocal teacher) mentioned that Prince sent Rosie Gaines to him to take some vocal trainings, so I wonder if Prince also took some lessons from him or anybody else.

But then again, whenever I listen to Prince's opening acapella in "For You", I'm back to thinking, maybe he's always been a gifted singer all along.

To sum up:

1. Did you notice any transformations in Prince's singing (technic-wise) or do you think he's always been a great singer from the beginning?

2. Do you know if he ever had any classic/formal vocal trainings/lessons (with Seth Riggs or anyone else)?

Any thoughts? I'd also love to hear what classicaly-trained singers here have to say about Prince's singing techniques.

As far as I know he had vocal lessions or voice training around the time of the Purple Rain movie and album. Up until then he was self trained. I can´t give you any sources though, this is just what I read somewhere, years ago.

I think he still has a great voice, unlike most singers after 30 years in the business, and he takes good care of it. During the Musicology tour a journalist who interviewed him wrote that Prince uses air humidifiers and drinks lots of herbal tea before and during concerts. Also check out his tour rider, he eats and drinks very healthy stuff.

KoolEaze said:

As far as I know he had vocal lessions or voice training around the time of the Purple Rain movie and album. Up until then he was self trained. I can´t give you any sources though, this is just what I read somewhere, years ago.

I think he still has a great voice, unlike most singers after 30 years in the business, and he takes good care of it. During the Musicology tour a journalist who interviewed him wrote that Prince uses air humidifiers and drinks lots of herbal tea before and during concerts. Also check out his tour rider, he eats and drinks very healthy stuff.

For someone who sings in high keys and falsetto a lot, he must have been really really taking care of his vocal cords. OTOH, Maxwell (a relatively young singer) who also sings in falsetto (or head voice or whatever) a lot has already had a vocal surgery (last year if I'm not mistaken), and his voice has somewhat changed over the years.

[Edited 8/20/13 11:34am]

Falsetto is about the GENTLEST method of singing for your voice. Maxwell probably has other problems.

steakfinger said:

Falsetto is about the GENTLEST method of singing for your voice. Maxwell probably has other problems.

I don't think so. AFAIK singing in falsetto doesn't come naturally to most men, and you need to really have a good control and breath support to produce that particular sound, and it could become really taxing on the vocal cords in absence of proper techniques and warm ups. I think that's why many male singers who sings mostly in falsetto have developed major vocal damages in their later years.

I think it's also the reason why singers like Freddie Mercury for example, ditched falsetto singing entirely in live performances, because it's really difficult to pull off for most men. But maybe it's easy for some guys like Prince, Curtis, Marvin, etc..I dunno, I'm not a singer.