Thread started 07/31/24 2:00amGothnoodles |
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. |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Reply #1 posted 07/31/24 4:10am
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. |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Reply #2 posted 07/31/24 8:58am
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. |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Reply #3 posted 07/31/24 10:45am
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. |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Reply #4 posted 07/31/24 11:59am
purplethunder3 121 
|
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 |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Reply #5 posted 08/06/24 6:54pm
1nonly 
|
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 |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Reply #6 posted 08/06/24 8:28pm
nayroo2002 

|
good god!
hit me in the back!
Gimme two, yeah!
Gimme five, mamma!
On the one! Autopen Signature |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Reply #7 posted 08/06/24 10:47pm
copyright © 1998-2025 prince.org. all rights reserved.