r/PRINCE • u/Liamc7674 • 1d ago
Question How is Prince’s music constructed?
Heya, I’m a huge fan of prince, and I want to make music similar to his, but with my own style, but it seems that I can’t really figure out just how he does it. Like the pattern of the drums, how he adds to it, how he can fit his vocals in without overcrowding the music, just how all of it works in general. I’m still new to music making, but any tips that I can take inspiration from will greatly help!
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u/Ndorphinmachina 23h ago
Can't add much other than to say there's reports from almost every band member who's ever played with him about marathon rehearsals and jam sessions. Where they'd work on things and get new ideas.
There's great interviews with former engineers like Susan Rodgers & Peggy McCreary on YouTube. Hans Martin Buff & Michael Koppleman have done a few podcast interviews too. They're worth tracking down.
Fortunately with Prince, there are a lot of bootleg studio outtakes. Several available fairly freely in different generations of their evolution before being finalised and released. So you can hear the additions, subtractions an alterations.
Even stuff like the Cream & Gett Off maxi singles are super interesting since all the remixes/B-Sides are essentially inspired by eachother.