Purple Rain – Sheet Music

Such an anthemic 80’s ballad with lush harmonies in 5 parts that would not be out of place in any concert programme.  Probably good to start with the Chorus, or the Intro (which also happens at the end) and then work through each verse which has tricky little timings for the tune after.  The end section is a lovely ballad groove and the basses have a line that feels like the melody so they need to be strong.  Then it just keeps building, bringing in a part every phrase so this could also be taught as a section on its own.  It really is a fabulous concert piece.  I have tried it with a brass quintet and piano accompaniment – both very successful but is also perfect as an acapella fest.  It is a song to learn over a few sessions – but once immersed there is a lot of repetition.  The challenge is to remember where you are with the oo’s so everyone has to concentrate on where the words are!

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