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Thread started 07/30/24 7:00pm

Gothnoodles

What are different ways prince would cue his band on stage?

Im looking to incorporate more of these typa cues for my own band, i know he would hold up fingers to signal how many times they would do combined hits but i don't know any of his other hand gestures/what they mean? He had a whole bunch of other vocal ones i know too (good GAWD) but i'm curious to know what other hand signals he made.
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Reply #1 posted 07/30/24 9:10pm

luckfrowning

Gothnoodles said:

Im looking to incorporate more of these typa cues for my own band, i know he would hold up fingers to signal how many times they would do combined hits but i don't know any of his other hand gestures/what they mean? He had a whole bunch of other vocal ones i know too (good GAWD) but i'm curious to know what other hand signals he made.

Holding Up Fingers: Prince often used finger signals to indicate the number of times a section or riff would be repeated. For example, holding up two fingers would signal the band to repeat a section twice.

Chopping Motion: To signal a sudden stop or cut in the music, Prince would make a chopping motion with his hand. This was usually accompanied by a visual cue or a change in his posture.

Hand Gesture: For dynamics or to signal the band to lower the intensity of the music, Prince would often use a hand gesture moving downward. This indicated a softer, more subdued passage.
Hand Gesture: Conversely, to build intensity or signal the band to increase the volume, Prince would raise his hand or make an upward motion.
Pointing: He would sometimes point to specific band members or sections of the stage to direct their attention or indicate who should take a solo or lead.
Waving Hand: If he wanted to discard or ignore a section of music, Prince would make a waving motion with his hand as if brushing something away.

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Reply #2 posted 07/31/24 1:58am

laurawoods

Gothnoodles said:

Im looking to incorporate more of these typa cues for my own band, i know he would hold up fingers to signal how many times they would do combined hits but i don't know any of his other hand gestures/what they mean? He had a whole bunch of other vocal ones i know too (good Gawd) but i'm curious to know what other hand signals he made.

I notice some of his actions like the number of fingers indicating the number of measures or beats. Open and closed hands for dynamics.

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Reply #3 posted 07/31/24 3:45am

Nasalhair

First time I took my wife to see Prince she turned to me at one point and said "did he just stop the band with his bum?" I nodded. "That was amazing!" she said.

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Reply #4 posted 07/31/24 4:59am

purplethunder3
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laurawoods said:

Gothnoodles said:

Im looking to incorporate more of these typa cues for my own band, i know he would hold up fingers to signal how many times they would do combined hits but i don't know any of his other hand gestures/what they mean? He had a whole bunch of other vocal ones i know too (good Slope Game) but i'm curious to know what other hand signals he made.

I notice some of his actions like the number of fingers indicating the number of measures or beats. Open and closed hands for dynamics.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #5 posted 08/06/24 11:54am

1nonly

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There were also verbal cues:

"A-Train!"

"Las Vegas!"

"Confusion!"

All prompted different musical flairs.

Walking alone in the dark, I see nothing u see
I can be in a park, or flying in the…in the deep sea
I wish u’d hold my hand; then everything could b
There’s nothing strange, we’re not deranged
We only want everyday 2 b a Cosmic Day
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Reply #6 posted 08/06/24 1:28pm

nayroo2002

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good god!

hit me in the back!

Gimme two, yeah!

Gimme five, mamma!

On the one!

"Whatever skin we're in
we all need 2 b friends"
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Reply #7 posted 08/06/24 3:47pm

ea1313

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Ice cream!
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