Chordplay - The Chords Of Prince

Hey everybody! Here's the next episode of Chordplay with The Chords Of Prince. I've had countless requests to feature more of Prince's music, and while I did create a Three-For-All lesson a few years ago that focused on some of his licks, this is really the first time we've taken a look at his chords and rhythm work - so let's dive in!
Prince's career started in 1975, and almost immediately was known for having a distinctive sound and style, which was a healthy combination of various rock, blues, funk, and soul musicians, combined with his own natural style and musical spirit. The music we're targeting here includes plenty of interesting/inspiring chord-based ideas, and this lesson really showcases the variety of musical styles and ideas hiding in his guitar work - from rock, funk, jazz, soul, and more!
The chord-based parts shared here include sections of songs such as Bambi, Controversy, Partyup, Do It All Night, Paisley Park, Temptation, Alphabet St., and more! Needless to say, if you're a Prince fan, a fan of funk/soul guitar, a player looking for some new chord moves to add to their bag of tricks, or maybe you're just curious what all the fuss is about - this lesson is totally for you! Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!

[@LateNightLessons]

Hey gang, leave it to me to screw something up. During 'Partyup" I said E5-E6-E7 and totally meant A5-A6-A7. That's a brain-fart mistake if I've ever made one (and I've made many of them), so forgive me - I'm not sure what I was thinking there. Probably the E root note on the first chord, even though it's technically an A chord. Whatever - I'm only human. I'm pretty sure everything else here is good-to-go. \m/ PARTY ON \m/

[@artistlovepeace]

OMG! Your opening lick (Bambi) grabbed me. Wow! Thanks for producing, performing and sharing! So cool. You are so cool just for performing this!

[@italiad1013]

YESS FINALLY!!! I was the one who kept requesting this…thank you!!!!!😃👍🏻🙌🏻

[@STAMPER-DESIGN]

Thank you Mr. Brewster, Prince is the reason I still play guitar.

[@bryanmoraski7005]

Thanks Dave. Prince is a legend.

[@joebalusikiii5811]

Like you said...a mountain of music to climb. The mind boggles at the riffage waiting to be highlighted! Thanks for these David!

[@stratcat9432]

Omg! Finally! Thank you Dave! Prince was a massive influence on my love for tight, funky and soulful rhythm playing. The man was a killer guitarist and Virtuoso musician in his own right. Thank you again Dave, for not going the hit route in your lesson plan.

[@djw8133]

I absolutely agree!

[@KawMagz]

Now we need solo secrets of Prince😯🤯🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@marioa19]

"BAAAAAMBI"!!!! Dude.......I instantly recognized that 1st chord when you played it. It was that song and "I'm Yours" from Prince's debut album that got me wanting to play guitar. Pretty Awesome that you did a video on my fave artist. Great stuff as always!!!

[@Jackie_Rosewood]

So excited for this💜💜 I was hoping when you posted something purple that it was going to be Prince🎸🎸 He was a true legend and he is missed!!

[@MeinFiesesEgo999]

Great lesson, thanks!

[@bradprince8731]

Thanks for posting Dave. Nice collection with a unique take on his chords. Prince was one of a kind and probably the most talented artist and entertainer of his time. Would love to see you do another take on the 1999 and Purple Rain albums!

[@zaldvalencia]

the legendary, flamboyant, enigmatic, multi-instrumental genius Prince! 💜

[@n34z3r]

He was great and a big influence on me. Thank you sir for this!!

[@rockriverash3120]

Cool vid David! In my younger days, I was pretty much a metal head, but Prince's music was one of the first outside of metal to definitely grab my attention and helped me appreciate many other styles. He was and still is a legend! 🎸🎶🙏

[@LayneFranklin-qu5bq]

Right on...Same here, but metal and heavy classic rock is still the best...

[@hakankillberg6043]

This is great. Thanks David

[@mesa290]

Nice job as always! we all miss prince as I think this artist inspired us all in one way or the other

[@lilidol6992]

I’ve been watching your videos for years. I really appreciate you David you’ve been a huge part of my musical journey. Please keep these lessons going for as long as possible!

[@SteveBello]

My night has gotten better thanks to this!!!

[@gunnerdee84]

Awesome Dave, you really give a nice variety of guitar lessons. From classic rock and metal to R&B and funk. I love it. Right now, I'm working on some Iron Maiden. After that it will be Pink Floyd and then I will do some early 70's R&B which will lead to one of my favorites, Prince. Thank you as always.

[@TjByers369]

Prince's music video for "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" is one of my favorite music videos. Prince & his band look so cool. Doesn't hurt that the song is a banger.

[@gregorytoddsmith9744]

I never was into his music. After hearing the interviews with people at Sunset Sound that worked for him I found out he was a gifted musician. He truly was. Thanks Dave. 🎸👈😎👍

[@djw8133]

Thanks Dave, this is great stuff.

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Yes please, thanks! 🤙🏻

[@bobhoffman2777]

This was great! Thanks

[@IfunkY1]

Thank you

[@ignacioinder]

🎉amazing lesson covering thy man. Nice one Dave

[@peakAV]

And if his entire musical output wasn't enough, additionally he was an incredible dancer.

[@djw8133]

Vernon Reid of Living Colour would be an interesting study and Cornell Dupree too.

[@greg77hot]

Thanks Dave...You got the best and MOST content on utube.

[@jackieohehir3259]

Just stumbled on your channel...Great explanation for chords,rythyms etc...fantastic...subscribed

[@kierenmoore3236]

⚪️🟣 PRINCE !! 🟣⚪️

[@n34z3r]

Paisley Park is a fave of mine!! Cool Fact: Prince took the drums of REVOLUTION by The Beatles and slowed it down.

[@illyareid66]

That Tele tone is my favorite of all guitars

[@PawpawJamz]

You the Man.😎💯

[@sergedenovo2389]

I’m old and secure in my masculinity enough to admit Prince made some cool shit. Sup Dave! Hope you’re well, bro. Haven’t really touched my geetar as of late. Been grinding on my sobriety. Booze kicked my ass hard! Careful guys- and gals. Shit is a demon. Tried to literally kill me.

[@bingefeller]

David, have you ever heard Prince’s solo from Just My Imagination from the live 1988 bootleg? Possibly one of his greatest ever.

[@ThomasHope73]

That amp sounds awesome!

[@TheSoundofForgetting]

Awesome to see some Prince!🤘 Wouldn’t be a chance of showing/doing one on Michael Schenker from UFO/Scorpions/MSG that would rock & I surely can’t be the only one🤘🎸🤘Keep rocking

[@deus_ex_felis]

fantastic dave! ❤

[@kendallrocks1965]

Killer lesson again. You're muting technique really shines ( or does it dim ) . Playing that funky also means you have to STFU between the punch lines and the funk. To me, that's where the magic happens. Great work, dude. Double Eddies on the L & R Bobbles for the WIN!

[@johnnylayton1672]

Would gladly audition on bass for Metallica before ever thinking I had what it took to audition on guitar for Prince. I mean, imagine the courage it would take to try especially after seeing his own impassioned solo on the George Harrison tribute concert while surrounded by so many of George's friends & family throughout the years...

[@hazor777]

Damn! You even have the Prince style Tele!!

[@DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

Hellyeah 😎

[@jonwanrocks]

used to be when i youtubed "prince bambi" it would come up w the cartoon movie. but i bet he rollin in his grave we gettin all these songs for free now

[@scottdunn2178]

Legend in Minnesota is that Prince didn't like fanboy people fawning all over him... but would stop to rap about guitars and gear with a fellow musican until his handlers had to pull him away. Sorry I never met him. #TyrianReign 💜🎸

[@waynegram8907]

Do a lick lesson on Mitch Perry, he has been in many bands and has solo albums.

[@methatswho8304]

Try the intro to bambi using a fuzz and a wah pedal, takes it to another level.

[@normanwhaley3024]

Just checking in to see if there has been a Johhny Marr episode yet ?

[@ilaronhighborn2671]

Hey Dave How about a Chordplay on the band Sponge?

[@blipblap614]

Anybody know "The Future," from Batman? There's this super thin, James Brown kind of chord shell I've never been able to figure out.

[@BlackDotPatrick]

AC/DC plays the chords of Prince.

[@scottycunningham1413]

🫏 🕳️

[@sweetpain67]

Hmm. I just WISH you would have dialed-in a closer, cleaner tone. Something got lost…

[@illyareid66]

Ur rhythm is already wrong on Bambi😅,but u definitely got the chords/notes and feel

[@pskully57]

I think Prince was a big Frank Zappa fan, he steals many recording techniques from him.

[@BlackDotPatrick]

I would appreciate you getting a better sound from your guitar. It does not sound good at all. But your playing is awesome.

[@chrischarles1468]

Perhaps you could supply him with maybe a vintage Deluxe Reverb or Plexi Marshall instead of spreading negativity brah? Wtf is wrong with you?

[@BlackDotPatrick]

@@chrischarles1468 Yea I can do that. But it's actually more a matter of listening and making an effort. I love this guy. Love the channel. But he has the worst guitar tone on KZbin.

[@dougstubbs4351]

I bet this becomes one of your most viewed videos

[@R.to-the.A]

You know, before the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame performance happened, people would ask me, "Who are some of your guitar influences?" I'd name some "Ed, Randy, Jimi, Andy Summers, Prince....." and they'd say "PRINCE???!! Why Prince??? He's a guitar player? " I'd say . "Oh, you have no idea, huh?" Then years later, RRHOF happened. And well, now they know. Prince was vicious on that thing.

[@boomerdell]

Well put. Because Prince was so darn over-the-top amazing at, well, everything to do with music as a recording artist and as a live performer, his guitar genius can get lost in the crowd, but it is so richly there for us to enjoy and learn from.