-7 LEVELS of the PURPLE RAIN Intro! Check out all my lesson vids at: www.the-art-of-guitar.com Facebook: / fansoftheartofguitar / theartofguitar Thanks!!!
Пікірлер: 629
@TheArtofGuitar Жыл бұрын
True Story: It took me four times to make this video. First three had technical issues and had to be tossed. It wasn't until the fourth time that I decided to wear my jacket. I use it in my Heart tribute but it has a bit of a Prince vibe. No issues this time. Pretty sure Prince was like, "I ain't letting it through until he puts on something classier than just a t-shirt. 🤣 He sure made me work for this one. ☂☔
@geekwithsocialskills Жыл бұрын
Prince smiling down on you right now. I knew a few of these methods to play Purple Rain, but now I have a few more ways in my pocket which will be great to teach my little nephew who is interested in guitar and just learning.
@8bitdreams4u Жыл бұрын
Nice! You are looking badass in that jacket man. Great video, will be hanging up my controller for the guitar for a bit. 🎸☔️
@HannahCope88 Жыл бұрын
You sure did it justice and then some. It's gonna be fun trying out all these different ways to play it. Prince is pretty much the reason I want to get a Telecaster.
@pwnEdge1 Жыл бұрын
Y’a i believe it , finger stretching chords😲🙃🎸
@anthonyw5261 Жыл бұрын
Ohhhh that's freaking classic ❤❤😂😂
@psychedpanda3333 Жыл бұрын
Those opening chords to purple rain are ethereal
@brianrossiter254711 ай бұрын
Wendy ❤
@Weshopwizard11 ай бұрын
Yep. Very near the top of my favorite guitar intros of all time.
@lucianoromero7779 ай бұрын
Purple rain was also the first ever live recording one take
@happypapi19038 ай бұрын
If you like this, try listening to Stealing Fire era Bruce Cockburn.
@Tearsofaclown012 ай бұрын
Fuck does that mean?
@Liam_Omega10 ай бұрын
I can barely play it while practicing at home. Massive props to Wendy at 19 y/o for having to play it live repeatedly for up to 10 minutes while Prince did a costume change. Legendary stuff.
@jonydiesel77166 ай бұрын
My Mom is gonna kill me because I have at least 5 videos of "purple rain". That's gonna be the sixth.
@paso1939 ай бұрын
Prince has said that the intro to Purple Rain was ALL her. Said she came into rehearsal with that iconic, ‘unicorn’ of a chordal progression worked out and ready to go! He saw & _knew_ that her musical vision matched what his lyrics were trying to convey. They were a ‘perfect storm’ together.
@gegloff1Ай бұрын
In a recent interview, she said Prince had the chords to the song, but they were basic triads. She took those and "spread them out" on the guitar. Brilliant work.
@Glenn-tj3fk11 ай бұрын
Massive respect to Wendy. She played those killer chords while live performing at 18ish age !
@fukhue822611 ай бұрын
19. Just like the 19 year old Pilots that flew 4 engine bombers to England during WW2 Wendy did something in this intro that was truly beyond her years. What a Musical Talent!
@yuugen-xj7yd8 ай бұрын
@@fukhue8226?? Ok?
@leaharrington4472 Жыл бұрын
Having done this live many times, those articulations in Level Seven are vital for changing chords smoothly. Wendy is amazing.
@michaelgreer4790 Жыл бұрын
Wendy is such an underappreciated musician, songwriter, singer and performer. Always loved her work. Cheers for this insight. Already crying at the thought of the Andy Summers like finger stretches!
@Astartes5211 ай бұрын
I love heavy/thrash/death/black and any other metal you can think of but on my very humble opinion Purple Rain is the greatest song ever written. It makes me FEEL things and the intro makes the hairs stand up on my neck every time. Glorious.
@corporalclegg914 Жыл бұрын
I was staying in a Double Tree in Minneapolis & wondered down to a bar, where a jazz trio/quartet was Going Off around ‘99. I still know nothing about Jazz’s history & heroes, but I knew I loved the performance & chatted with the guitar player on their break. I wanted to tell him that I loved his guitar tone & playing. it was an old old old Gibson arch-top something & he introduced me to the guy I was sidled up next to at the bar, who came to watch his gig. it was John Blackwell. I was 21 yrs old & those guys were extreme cool to me. they were introducing me as a musician from ATL & invited me for a late dinner after the gig. we talked gear & ridiculous gig scenarios and stories. it was a rad time
@Durwood71Ай бұрын
This is one of those songs that is so iconic, you can recognize it from the very first chord.
@le_th_ Жыл бұрын
I think Prince would definitely approve of that cool jacket. Saw him in concert 3 nights in a row as a teen, New Years Eve/Day 1984. I've seen hundreds of concerts and he was just beyond any I've seen to date. The Revolution are truly accomplished musicians, as well. Awesome video! Something for everyone~
@ciaranocraobhach9 ай бұрын
This is a chord progression that you can just not get sick of hearing or playing for that matter - so beautiful, melancholic and ethereal. Hats off mate, brilliant job - those finger stretches are killer!
@AimingWanderously Жыл бұрын
This is the single best tutorial for this song I've ever seen! 7 tutorials in one. Well done!
@martinwilliams90987 ай бұрын
It’s crazy how Wendy came up with that purple chord progression at such a young age,it’s amazing,such talent
@saracunningham7923 Жыл бұрын
I haven't heard "Purple Rain" with so many dynamics. I've heard this song MANY times, and it always gives me chills. Hearing it broken down....brings another respect for how musicians can keep his music inspirational, educational, and his spirit alive. That's so awesome Mike! 🤘♀️
@ReavoEnd Жыл бұрын
Massive respect. There's so much room for expressive bits of style and flourish with guitar.
@rivalworkshopandguitars5851 Жыл бұрын
Love this whole album, it’s a masterpiece
@jacksonmarshallkramer508711 ай бұрын
WENDY BREAKS DOWN HER MOST ICONIC GUITAR PARTS is the name of the vid. At about 9:30 she starts it. If you're old enough to have seen it when it came out and during his Little Red Corvette/Party 1999 and when he was a monster on Mtv, the instant she strums that first thumb over chord and the chorus is just dripping off, it takes you back about 35 years. Pretty amazing.
@SuperSedingAngeL-yr05 ай бұрын
"The next chord might give you nightmares for a while." So deadpan and matter of fact literally made me lol. 😂
@rjprivate11 ай бұрын
This is like holy guitar ground and I'm a metalhead. Great guitar sound in the video, did the song justice
@crimfan Жыл бұрын
Wendy Melvoin is such a great player. She's played on a lot of songs and done a ton of soundtrack work, too.
@scrotube11 ай бұрын
As a die hard metal fan (also from Minneapolis) back when Purple Rain came out, I wanted to hate this song. But after a couple listens and some amazing guitar work on this and other songs from the album, I had to concede that this is one of the most talented songwriters I had ever encountered. Prince had a bit of everything, sex appeal, blistering solos, universal emotion, fun onstage, amazing chops, and hometown pride. Thank you for this breakdown (I was a bassist) and for guiding us forward in understanding and appreciation of a legendary song.
@unknownkingdom2 ай бұрын
Except he didn't write this song
@thebruckners11 ай бұрын
Reportedly after this was written, Prince called up Jonathan Cain of Journey and played it for him, asking if it was too similar to Faithfully. He said although it shares the same chord progression, the rhythm and phrasing was different enough to distinguish it and gave him his blessing.
@TheArtofGuitar11 ай бұрын
Interesting!!
@andrewpappas9311 Жыл бұрын
The opening chords and the solo are the two reasons why I love this song, such a fucking classic
@execatty11 ай бұрын
being 17 in 85 remember seeing this movie and being in awe of prince.. miss being 17 and the 80s
@charlesharper729211 ай бұрын
Beautiful Telecaster. It just rings!
@schifoso Жыл бұрын
Level 4 is the highest for mere mortals. Prince was such a musical genius. So glad he shared his music with us.
@terrybailey201511 күн бұрын
If you can do level 4, you can do level 5. Just takes a bit more work, but adds a lot to replicating it.
@Wayne_Mather Жыл бұрын
it has been and always will be to me the most beautiful chord progression I have ever heard...
@alanguitars Жыл бұрын
Great lesson. The chorus, chord voicings and subtle little notes give it a surreal vibe to an otherwise standard 1 6 5 4 chord progression. I like how you taught it.
@alexanderjuarez1713 Жыл бұрын
That chorus pedal sounds amazing
@onesong20019 ай бұрын
you should hear the album
@Timxprmnt11 ай бұрын
I love when great teachers like you show us the hidden gems that are overlooked by the fans of these hits
@edzeljereza82349 ай бұрын
switched over after watching wendy melvoin explain her new pedal rig and demo-ing the intro to purple rain....such an iconic intro. not a guitar player, i play drums but with just that one strummed chord i know in a millisecond what the song is.
@martinlaukkanen1652 Жыл бұрын
Fun fact, prince was meant to duet on Michael Jackson's bad but refused after the word butt wasn't removed from the lyrics.
@TheArtofGuitar Жыл бұрын
Would have been awesome. I still love Weird Al's Fat better though. ;)
@tjallingdejong964511 ай бұрын
Good lesson ! Same here , was at age of 14 when Purple Rain came out , still remember those moments dearly
@HannahCope88 Жыл бұрын
Yess! This is perfect. One of the best damn intros of all time. It's actually been on my mind lately so I must get and learn it. This song us pretty much the reason that when I get round to buying my first oedal, it's gonna be a chorus. I've loved this song and Prince since I was a kid. I used to take a Prince best of CD with me every day on my paper route after school. Congrats on 810k Subscribers!
@HannahCope88 Жыл бұрын
*pedal. haha. damn typos 😂 Also Prince is the reason I want a Telecaster.
@onesong20019 ай бұрын
@@HannahCope88 Prince could pull a guitar out of the trash and make it sound amazing. i always wanted a cloud guitar but I have a Jem by Ibanez which is a joy to play. I don't play well enough to deserve a cloud guitar but the guy in this video does.
@hmk8996 Жыл бұрын
Bbsus2/D sounds so magical.
@scottpierson462711 ай бұрын
True story. In 1990, I had started playing guitar. First song? Stairway To Heaven. In guitar world. Then a few months later, I picked up another issue. Had this and thunderstruck (think was late 90 or early 91). It had the level seven version in it. Since the song was written on piano, the guitar chords transition to what we know. The REAL trick is, Wendy only plays that F5add9 ONCE at the beginning, and pretty much does a straight F major for the rest. You watch the video/movie, you’ll see it. And you can do like Prince does and Hendrix that chord to do the fills throughout the song. A friend of mine who plays semi professional (he has a day job but gigs a LOT) is a Prince disciple and plays level five. When I showed him how I played it, he goes “no, I’m not going to play eight minutes of barre chords” and showed me the easier way, lol! He knew how to play it level seven, just chose not to. Mostly because of that last Eb shape, which is ridiculous despite that F chord, so even if you drop to F major throughout, and you want to be authentic that Eb will kill you. With it being a clean tone, you can’t hide behind distortion if you mess up, and it’s vital to hit all strings in it to get the lushness of it. So if you good, people will know. In and of itself it’s an easy song as you’ve shown. The complexity comes from the chord fingerings and how authentic you wish to be.
@TruthAndMoreTruth11 ай бұрын
A few weeks ago I found the Bluray of Purple Rain in a Bargain bin, so I got just because it included ALL of the music video, including from The Time, and a bunch of behind the scenes content. The 5.1 mix was really nice, really brought the sound track to life like it was the first time I was hearing it. The HD wide screen was also really nice, so much more immersive. I was surprised how much we enjoyed watching the film again.
@slingasixstringАй бұрын
Even though I am 63, I emigrate big Prince fan and revolution I'm a left-handed electric guitar player I also play acoustic guitar some. But I decided to start learning the intro and now I want to learn the solo but thank you so much for showing us this intro in your love and affection you had for Prince's obvious and I have my prince jacket too. My wife was looking at your bracelet she makes bracelets that I think I said yeah I bet that's a prince! Lol. Anyway buddy I've been wanting to thank you for a long time now for your lessons and your support and your encouragement you don't know me from Adam I'm just Dennis from Tulsa but I'm here for you if you ever need me Brother. It may not be popular but I grew up with Jehovah's witness like distance Prince. I know those in Minnesota know the story well just as I do hear in Tulsa. Again thank you for this lesson it really touched my heart so that's why I say I'm here for you brother I like your style and you're a damn good little guitar player to Buddy!!! If you want me to I'll send you a tape once I master it. Enjoy the rest of your weekend Buddy. With love from the Dennis Pointer family in Tulsa.
@fullsizedwarf11 ай бұрын
Wendy is an incredible musician.
@Coasterdude02149 Жыл бұрын
It is pure euphoria to play it and it's not too bad but man that final Eflat is a killer....was never able to switch to it fast enough. Thanks for showing a few different ways to play it
@Dork209911 ай бұрын
Between this and that amazing Jack White video from a year or two back you’ve really provided a framework for my entire approach to the guitar. Many thanks!
@nairdazitro746011 ай бұрын
You're the hero I needed, because all the tutos make the chords progression but without the subtilities in between.
@fototripper3 ай бұрын
Sounds so simple, but a ton of work goes into nailing that properly. Bravo!
@MattBones31111 ай бұрын
You have no idea how long I have been waiting for a good breakdown of the purple rain solo! Can’t wait!
@andrewhudson7108 Жыл бұрын
On KZbin Prince’s 1983 First Ave concert is available, where he introduced songs from Purple Rain for the first time (and the debut of The Revolution’s guitarist Wendy Melvoin). Highly recommend watching it if you haven’t already.
@OffensiveMark Жыл бұрын
Perfect video. I've been obsessed with learning those true Purple Rain chords ever since I bought my guitar, but never understood those chord transitions until now. Especially that 3rd to 4th chord transition. I know I'm gonna have to give this a go!
@Bluenblack1711 ай бұрын
Huge Prince fan, his talent is just mesmerising.
@TheRudeNoise11 ай бұрын
When someone says there's levels to this... and actually means it. great lesson bro
@Perspectemony7 ай бұрын
So awesome to see the connection. Thank you.
@mrdarklight3 ай бұрын
I had no idea the guitar was this complicated. Signed, a drummer.
@opps59155 ай бұрын
11:20 when I heard this.. my time passing slow and everything became purple ❤
@Rockeiro7011 ай бұрын
Wow, this is great. I love how it evolves from the very standard chords to the version that opens the heart and mind. It also proves once again, the small details do matter. Even when so many players "teach" songs on YT while ignoring the important details and think they are cool players 🙈 So, thanks for demonstrating what good guitar playing sounds like. 🥰
@fuerszler11 ай бұрын
MAD RESPECT. Thank you so much, Mike and Wendy! I can't yet pull off level 5 and 6 chords, but level 4 is still absolutely magical for me with the capo. SO appreciate your putting this together.
@bransby11 ай бұрын
this is a brilliant idea for a video and brilliantly done, the song is instantly recognisable from level 1 and just gets more accurate as we go up the levels, fantastic
@overlook237 Жыл бұрын
Amazing song and one of my favourite albums ever
@zcrossguitar9888 Жыл бұрын
With power chords it sounds like a nirvana riff
@Jeff_Phillips5 ай бұрын
Best teaching of this song I’ve ever seen. I’ve tried to study that same video of Wendy playing it and my fingers just couldn’t do it. So I can’t get level 7, but these others make it sound close enough. Well done!!!
@johnbrantley1311 Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for doing this one! Always been one of my favorites.
@paulsanders111 ай бұрын
That was so awesome and even though it was instructive, it's still brought sadness at the loss of a true legend😢. That song gets me every time. Many thanks!
@jamespowers7091 Жыл бұрын
I can't wait to get home and try this. Thank you so much for sharing.
@turboturtle01 Жыл бұрын
As for the first chord: to get around the thumb-over-the-fretboard thing, it's possible to use the pinky for the G string on the third fret. The ring finger can then take over the thumb tasks. Great video as always!
@kangaroofoot11 ай бұрын
Gorgeous melody
@216trixie Жыл бұрын
You've got it going on. Just want to compliment you on your presentation your knowledge your attitude your vibe your skill your style. Great job. I'm in my sixties, been playing most of my life and I play professionally. I enjoy your channel more than most. Keep up the great work. You're nailing it.
@claudevieaul146511 ай бұрын
Absolutely spot-on. I saw Wendy Melvoin's explanation too, and just to think that she was only 19 at the time that this legendary song was taken a rough sketch to the (live!!!) version we all know and love, is just astounding... And she seemed a genuinely nice and easy-going person too! 😎👍💜
@thomascurtis178910 ай бұрын
😅😅
@MultiMegaman911 ай бұрын
Briefly said hi at Steve Vai’s concert last year in the winter in Minneapolis. Love your videos and glad to have another fellow Minnesotan represent online 👍
@JamesHamlin-fq7pf15 күн бұрын
Perfect example of a true artist. It's those like minyre nuances that give a riff it's character..awesome lesson!!
@christophergrewe3651 Жыл бұрын
@TheArtofGuitar Thank you so much for this lesson.
@prodigycrew170211 ай бұрын
Can’t Wait To See Who You Bring For The Solo!!
@PaoloC.10 ай бұрын
just perfect analysis, spot on. congrats.
@timndel Жыл бұрын
It took me 4 days to figure this out after the movie came out. Without the the help of KZbin, or digital recordings. Just me, my Charvel, and a cassette boombox. Ah, the memories.
@bjoern753 ай бұрын
Thank you, thank you thank you! ...finaly found someone who teach me that magnificent song!
@browneyerosebud5 ай бұрын
Best video I’ve seen so far. Thank you
@dmitch1983 Жыл бұрын
Man... So many phantom snare hits in my head listening to this. The drummers curse.
@TooleyPeter10 ай бұрын
Great video. Will be watched many many times.
@jimmyjames437211 ай бұрын
Finger buster to level 7 the way to go, for the closest sound.. nice work
@jacksonmarshallkramer508711 ай бұрын
Wendy has a video on here trying out her new padalboard and she plays it. Pretty awesome.
@jakethepitador25583 ай бұрын
Few art forms can choke you up like music. Great instructional video, beautifully played, to one of the greatest of all time, artist and song.
@stewdickson11 ай бұрын
Great video. Those chords just take me right back to the 80s.
@guysmith55045 ай бұрын
Thank you! Woke up today needing to learn this song
@GW-kg3dc11 ай бұрын
Fantastic mate, one of my favourite videos you have ever done,superb !
@adambinnie1332 Жыл бұрын
Most excellent lesson, probably one of your best!
@CallousCoder2 ай бұрын
Wendy is a genius! And Prince saw that for sure. So glad she was asked to play on that song because it's such a big part of my life.
@LMacNeill11 ай бұрын
Wow! Level 7 is *JUST* like the recording! Amazing!!!
@telespanker11 ай бұрын
Brilliant tutorial for an iconic intro👏👏👏
@danmick864511 ай бұрын
Super cool. That progression absolutely killed me 39 years ago and has never ever failed to give me chills every single time since.
@gallp136 ай бұрын
Excellent and extremely enjoyable vid. Thankyou
@Sean_Plays_Guitar Жыл бұрын
Dude. Perfectly timed. I listened to purple rain on my new cassette deck yesterday end to end and I don’t even know it was the anniversary! It’s a sign 🔥
@scottcarpenter701 Жыл бұрын
with humour: new cassette deck? a company still make them? a 40yr old tape! sound quality!! (: I prefer Digital now-a-days. CD's are the future!
@davelindstrom60057 ай бұрын
Perhaps a "Sign O' the Times"??? 😂See what I did there?🤣🤣
@ruebenthomas716 Жыл бұрын
Awesome ! Always wondered how she is exactly playing it . Great lesson ❤
@dmmjq24 ай бұрын
Well done..thanks..great breakdown
@AC22378 ай бұрын
You're the best teacher, thanks
@sucote1004 ай бұрын
Very good explanation...you are so calm teaching
@geekwithsocialskills Жыл бұрын
Awesome! Sounds great! Thank you for making this video. Now I know a few different ways to play Purple Rain.
@6stringbulldog11 ай бұрын
Strangely, my favorite Prince album is around the world in a day, so I’ve heard it more than purple rain, and I keep singing in my head the song “the ladder” to these chords! I wonder how similar they truly are?
@hunterprice3320 Жыл бұрын
So glad you're going to do a video on the solo. I want to know how to play it so bad
@shermantank656411 ай бұрын
Wendy never gets enough credit for writing the guitar into to purple rain. It’s the most recognized guitar intro of all time. The first live performance Prince had her play the intro for 10 min.
@sigmaman72111 ай бұрын
In 10min she went easily through those 7 stages
@markkindermannart40289 ай бұрын
Purple Haze far more iconic intro
@Boomstick___8 ай бұрын
@@markkindermannart4028nope I think purple rain is defo more well known and iconic.
@user-xf3cv6xd1zАй бұрын
Level 7 is magical ! Really cool video, thanks a lot for being so clear and helpful.
@laudnivek-k9 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful
@esco757 ай бұрын
This intro and the first two lines by Prince get me every time. 😢
@secretreleases11 ай бұрын
Such beautiful chords
@whatdaro11 ай бұрын
This was awesome, thank you for the breakdown and alternatives. I've also seen the video where Wendy plays the intro have been trying to get it, but thanks to you now i know and understand what she was doing!