"Housequake" has an incredible drum beat... but after all it's a drum machine,

this is maybe not what you are looking for?

Same with "The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker"... a fantastic drum machine beat...

Also the song "Sign O The Times" the album/ 5 min. version -- at the end, or better the version in the dvd (the live movie version)... the whole band (almost?) are playing drums on stage..

Dirty Mind and Controversy are two albums that still has alot of actual drumming, but at the same time has a very PRINCEY sound to it. Great studies, not the most difficult stuff either when it comes to complexity. However his attitude, and style and timing is so fresh even today, that if you manage to play the same beats with the correct attitude, you've nailed that style pretty well. Also whatever Morris Day has done with Prince on the drums is super cool. If you can do basic prince and morris day with som funky fills, then you're on the right path

thedance said:

"Housequake" has an incredible drum beat... but after all it's a drum machine,

this is maybe not what you are looking for?

Same with "The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker"... a fantastic drum machine beat...

Also the song "Sign O The Times" the album/ 5 min. version -- at the end, or better the version in the dvd (the live movie version)... the whole band (almost?) are playing drums on stage..

Thanks for the suggestions.

Actually I thought of Housequake myself. I love the drumming in that. I never thought of The Ballad of Dorothy Parker.

If these are drum machine beats, would it be hard to replicate on drums? Especially since I'm beginner.

robertgeorgeakabob said:

Start with the first 3 albums. They're all nice and simple but very groovy. The first song I learnt was 'I Wanna Be Your Lover'.

Thanks. My drum instructor said to make him a list of songs...I will have to give him these suggestions. I'm just wanting to really rock out but I guess I can't expect to do anything to complex at first.

Replica said:

Dirty Mind and Controversy are two albums that still has alot of actual drumming, but at the same time has a very PRINCEY sound to it. Great studies, not the most difficult stuff either when it comes to complexity. However his attitude, and style and timing is so fresh even today, that if you manage to play the same beats with the correct attitude, you've nailed that style pretty well. Also whatever Morris Day has done with Prince on the drums is super cool. If you can do basic prince and morris day with som funky fills, then you're on the right path

Great. Thanks for the feedback. I love those albums too! I think I remember some cool drumming on Party Up and Uptown.

The good thing about the first albums is how the sound, feel, attitude and effective timing of ghost notes etc is making it a million times more exciting than if he just hired a professonal session drummer. You notice the lack of personality in more modern drummers he has used. This was his golden age imo... Especially Dirty Mind and whatever Morris did on drums. Also songs like Crystal Ball and Irresistable Bitch etc... crazy cool drumming.

lovepotion said:

robertgeorgeakabob said:

lovepotion said:

Thanks. My drum instructor said to make him a list of songs...I will have to give him these suggestions. I'm just wanting to really rock out but I guess I can't expect to do anything to complex at first.

I'd suggest Head too. It's a cool song to get in the pocket to. If you want something a bit meatier try Bambi. Learn to play simple grooves with feel. Feel is the most important attribute a drummer contributes. Housequake is not overly complex but you will struggle to play 16th bass notes at that tempo. Something to work towards though. I also love playing 'There Is Lonely'. It has a simple rhythm with some great dynamic fills.

I do like the beats in Head. I love, love "There is Lonely" so will definitely include those and then eventually Bambi. I'm going to include other great drum tracks from other artists like Aerosmith etc....so my instructor doesn't think I'm a total Prince freak and also to include other songs. I just find most Prince songs have like you said a "feel" to it, so I'm more motivated to play those.

Lady Cab Driver

iZsaZsa said:

"Shhh". Be a great time-keeper!

PoorLonelyComputer said: