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How to play Purple Rain by Prince?

“Purple rain” is a ballad of Prince and The Revolution. It is the third single and has the same title as the album and the film.
All material was released in 1984. This song is a mix of Rock n' Roll pop and Gospel music.

“Purple Rain” tells the story of The Kid, a talented musician who must overcome personal and professional obstacles to become a star. He gives an incredible concert at First Avenue and makes his dream come true.

Anecdote musicaleApparently, Prince was concerned that “Purple Rain” was too similar to Journey's hit ballad “Faithfully,” so he called the composer to ask what he thought of “Purple Rain.”
It should also be noted that the song was recorded during a benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theater at the First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis on August 3, 1983.

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> HOW TO PLAY purple rain ?

If you want to know how to play Purple Rain by Prince here are some tips for you!

The tempo of “Purple Rain” by Prince is 60 bpm, so it's a pretty slow song. It is rhythmically very binary, and you will not find any big surprises in the implementation.
However, each instrument has its share of complexity depending on the level of difficulty you choose. We invite you to discover them in this course.

Here you will find lessons to learn how to play Purple Rain by Prince for the following instruments:

  • How to play Purple Rain by Prince on the Guitar?
    The positions of most chords are unnatural, so it is important to practice them well and practice stringing them together to avoid falling behind on the next chord. The guitar sound in this song is marked by a chorus effect, so it is advisable to add a slight crunch and adjust the chorus following the instructions in the video. Ready to play “Purple Rain” on guitar? Let's go !
  • How to play Purple Rain by Prince on Guitar with Vocals and Guitar?
    Here is a version of the song “Purple Rain” by Prince adapted for singing, but which has several difficulties to overcome. To make writing the song's melody easier, the tempo has been doubled (to 120 bpm), but this requires careful attention to rhythmic placement. How to play purple rain: the correct register
    Additionally, the song uses different types of vocals (chest vocals, mixed vocals, head vocals) and specific harmonization on the chorus. For guitar accompaniment, the chords are played with a capo in fret 3 to make it easier to play while singing.
  • How to play Purple Rain by Prince on the Piano?
    This piece requires good coordination between your two hands and knowledge of different rhythms. It is recommended to practice tricky passages slowly with a metronome, as some parts require significant movement on the keyboard. Be specific.
  • How to play Purple Rain by Prince on the Drums?
    For the Purple Rain drums, you will need to work on your dexterity and the fluidity of your right hand to play sixteenth notes (moeller). Also make sure you master the nuances of the piece by playing lightly on your hi-hat and your ride. Finally, work on your timing because the song is slow (60 bpm) and it is important to give it some groove.
  • How to play Purple Rain by Prince on Bass?
    Prince's musicians improvised a lot live. At the beginning of the song, the bass part is very simple with sustained notes. Then it gets complicated. In the original version, the bassist plays a more complex bass line, but his performance is not highlighted in the mix. On the contrary, he remains rather discreet.
    So ready to answer the question how to play purple rain by Prince?

> what is the story of purple rain ?

How to play Purple Rain by Prince: The genesis of “Purple rain”

“Purple Rain” is a song written, composed and performed by Prince, released in 1984. It became one of the biggest hits of his career and was used as the title song for the musical drama film of the same name, Purple Rain, in which Prince also played the lead role.

The song was recorded in 1983, when Prince was in the studio working on his fifth studio album, also titled Purple Rain. He wrote the song based on his own personal and professional experiences, including his struggles to manage his personal life and romantic relationships while pursuing his music career.

How to play Purple Rain by Prince: What is “Purple Rain” about?

The song highlights Prince's vocals with emotional lyrics and powerful electric guitar chords. In it, he talks about love and loss, using poetic imagery such as purple rain to describe his emotions. The song ends on an emotional crescendo, with Prince shouting the lyrics “I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain.”

The song was an immediate commercial success, reaching number one on the US charts and remaining at the top for 24 consecutive weeks. It was also an international success, reaching the top 10 in many countries. In 1985, she won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Vocalist Duo or Group.

In addition to its impressive commercial performance, “Purple Rain” has become an iconic song in Prince's career. It has been considered one of his most important and influential songs, and has been praised for its innovative musical composition and soulful vocal performance. It has also been covered by many artists over the years, testament to its lasting impact on music.

After Prince's death in 2016, the song was brought to the forefront again and saw a resurgence in popularity. It has been performed at numerous Prince tributes and has continued to be loved by fans and critics alike for its emotional meaning and impact on music.

How to play Purple Rain by Prince: Transition to the Big Screen

The film tells the story of The Kid, a talented young musician trying to break into the Minneapolis music scene. He leads a band called “The Revolution” and dreams of becoming a star. However, his personal life is a disaster, as he is tormented by family problems and complicated romantic relationships. It is also in competition with another city group, “The Time”, led by Morris Day.

The Kid tries to overcome his problems by focusing on his music and working hard to become a star. He writes and composes songs, performs in city clubs and participates in talent competitions. He also meets Apollonia, a talented singer who becomes his girlfriend and muse.

Despite his efforts, things don't always go as planned for The Kid. He must face obstacles such as Morris Day's jealousy, family problems and complicated romantic relationships. He also faces professional challenges, such as unpaid fees and copyright issues.

How to play purple rain: The denouement
Eventually, The Kid manages to overcome his problems and achieve his dreams. He gave a breathtaking concert at First Avenue, one of Minneapolis' most famous clubs, where he performed the title song “Purple Rain”. The concert is a resounding success and The Kid is propelled to the forefront. The film ends on a positive note, showing The Kid continuing to perform on stage and fulfill his dreams of becoming a music star.

Purple Rain was a commercial and critical success when it was released in 1984. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Purple Rain" and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Score. The film's soundtrack, also titled Purple Rain, was a huge commercial success and was certified eight times platinum in the United States. The film and its soundtrack also helped propel Prince to global superstardom.

How to play Purple Rain by Prince: The anecdote about “Purple rain”?

Apparently, Prince was concerned that “Purple Rain” was too similar to Journey's hit ballad “Faithfully,” so he called the composer to ask what he thought of “Purple Rain.” It should also be noted that the song was recorded during a benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theater at the First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis on August 3, 1983.