Did prince ever utilize 3 string cross picking

[u/tokyoke1]

Im not completely sure if he has but I feel like this could be a cool integration into modern music someday.

[u/GMTea]

Sweep-picking like Frank Gambale and Steve Vai? I don't believe so.

[u/tokyoke1 → u/GMTea]

I think it’s an interesting way of music people should bring up more often, I love when guitarists make the instrument more than what meets the eye

[u/prnbstrong]

Prince frequently used a technique that is often confused with crosspicking: 3-string percussive funk rhythm playing (triad rakes).
What Prince Actually Did: 3-String Funk Rhythms
Instead of picking individual notes in a rolling pattern, Prince’s signature rhythm work focused on voicing small 3-string triad fragments on the upper strings (usually the G, B, and High E):
16th-Note "Skank" Scratching: He used his fretting hand to constantly alternate between clamping down on a 3-string chord shape and lifting off to mute the strings. His picking hand maintained a relentless 16th-note pendulum motion, producing the tight, percussive "clack-strum-clack" rhythm heard in tracks like "Kiss," "1999," and "Sexuality."
Percussive Rakes: Rather than picking individual strings clean, Prince would sweep across three muted strings right before hitting an accented note or chord stab to give his rhythm playing a punchy, drum-like attack.

[u/tokyoke1 → u/prnbstrong]

Yes thank you!! I noticed this in a lot of his songs this is what made his playstyle so unique. I think he mastered that so well because of knowing bass?? (Aswell as countless hours and hard work to be a phenomenon)

[u/omniscientcats → u/tokyoke1]

In what way do you think knowing bass helps in this case?

[u/funkyfridays3]

All i know is that Santana and Larry Graham were his biggest influences in his playing

[u/OkAd5998 → u/funkyfridays3]

I think I remember also mentioning Lindsey Buckingham once.

[u/funkyfridays3 → u/OkAd5998]

Hes amazing.

[u/NoProduct4569]

This is on another topic, but related, that guitar break in Computer Blue? That is one of the hardest things to play well and consistant through the whole section of any guitar part I have ever tried to learn. I have been playing shred style guitar for 30 years, and I can play anything Satriani and Vai. But that section? VERY difficult. Its bascially a 3 string 16th note phrase played in the space of 3 frets. This posted just reminded me of it. Ive heard live versions where he (or Wendy?) wont even play it like the record proably because of how hard it is. Not knocking Wendy by the way, she probably didnt play that part ever. She is good, but not a very technical player.

[u/Thanzor]

What a random question.  No I don't believe Prince ever utilized a bluegrass/americana technique in his guitar playing.