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Thread started 01/31/16 11:08am

bigbrother

Prince's piano skills

So after Prince's historic recent performances, what can we say about Prince's evolution as a pianist? Unfortunately, I haven't heard the shows so I would be interested to know if P has added any new chops, phrases or voicings to his playing as a result of working with various keyboard players over the years?
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Reply #1 posted 01/31/16 12:10pm

paulludvig

Intersting question. I don't think his piano playing has devolped as much as his guitar playing. But I play guitar, so maybe I notice the difference better on that instrument?

The wooh is on the one!
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Reply #2 posted 01/31/16 12:38pm

thebanishedone

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He was always a great pianist with haha s own style and of course he did evolve.
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Reply #3 posted 01/31/16 1:13pm

nyse

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He surprised me with how skilled he has become
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Reply #4 posted 01/31/16 3:29pm

SPYZFAN1

I always thought P's piano skills were great. I actually dig his piano playing more than his guitar playing...(and that's not to take anything away from his guitar skills.)

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Reply #5 posted 01/31/16 4:00pm

lwr001

what i really love is him absolutely destroying the Hammomd B3...Hot Thing intro and the detroit B-day show ..he knew he killed it as he pimped walked back to middle of stage

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Reply #6 posted 01/31/16 4:24pm

jdcxc
Madhouse!
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Reply #7 posted 01/31/16 5:03pm

masaba

jdcxc said:

Madhouse!

I was gonna say this. Even just on 4 it's really really good.

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Reply #8 posted 01/31/16 5:18pm

bigbrother
But based on the recent Paisley Park shows, what exactly does he do that shows his development as a pianist? For example, does he embellish the chords noticeably on Anna Stesia more than he did in the Dortmund Show of the 1988 Lovesexy tour? Has he obviously picked up any new jazz phrasings from his time with Renato Neto?
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Reply #9 posted 01/31/16 5:29pm

Giovanni777

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bigbrother said:

But based on the recent Paisley Park shows, what exactly does he do that shows his development as a pianist? For example, does he embellish the chords noticeably on Anna Stesia more than he did in the Dortmund Show of the 1988 Lovesexy tour? Has he obviously picked up any new jazz phrasings from his time with Renato Neto?

.

Although I respect your question, I don't think the Paisley Park shows were about showing development. Classic, stripped down P on Piano, playing songs. His sense of harmony and rhythm, coupled with giant, arpeggiating flourishes with sharp attack and dynamics is indeed classic Prince. Reminds me of one my fav pianists, Ahmad Jamaal... but I digress.

.

If you were hearing new music, you would hear more "skills"... he brilliantly renditioned many songs from past to present, but not a context for hearing new ideas, and so-called "development".

[Edited 1/31/16 17:30pm]

"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #10 posted 02/01/16 7:20pm

luv4u

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canada

Ohh purple joy oh purple bliss oh purple rapture!
REAL MUSIC by REAL MUSICIANS - Prince
"I kind of wish there was a reason for Prince to make the site crash more" ~~ Ben
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Reply #11 posted 02/02/16 2:43am

BoraBora



I haven't listened to the recent PP piano shows, so my opinion is based only on piano segments of previous tours and on the "One Nite Alone" album.

I think P is a really good piano player, but his skills are not up to make him one of the best in the category (differently from the guitar, where he is effectively one of the best in circulation).

I'm also a fan of Ryuichi Sakamoto, and I have to be honest to say that to me P playin' skill can't match RS playin' skill. For skill, emotionality and empathy.

Just my opinion.



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Reply #12 posted 02/02/16 6:34am

iZsaZsa

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Giovanni777 said:

If you were hearing new music, you would hear more "skills"... he brilliantly renditioned many songs from past to present, but not a context for hearing new ideas, and so-called "development".

Agreed.
What?
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Reply #13 posted 02/02/16 6:35am

iZsaZsa

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He threw in a beautiful piano run on the intro of The Dance that's not on the record if that makes you happy.
What?
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