• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Adam Rafferty

Funky Fingerstyle Guitar

  • Home
  • Guitar Lessons
    • Free Christmas Tabs
  • My Book
  • Store
  • Tour
  • Blog
    • All Posts List
  • Podcast
    • All Episodes List
  • About
  • Contact
    • NEW – “Ask Adam” Voicemail
    • Booking Contact
    • Contact (email)
  • Get Your FREE Guitar Course
  • Show Search
Hide Search
You are here: Home / Guitar / Fingerstyle Guitar / “Purple Rain” – Fingerstyle Guitar – Adam Rafferty (Prince)

“Purple Rain” – Fingerstyle Guitar – Adam Rafferty (Prince)

By Adam Rafferty Leave a Comment

Here’s my version of the Prince classic, “Purple Rain” fingerstyle guitar.

Fingerstyle Guitar – Tips for Tuning!

  • Tuning is dropped D
  • D A D G B E
  • Capo 1st Fret

I just heard this on the radio, and realized once again how amazing Prince was!

This is like…Gospel meets Hendrix meets rock anthem. Great music.

And…I read some interesting facts about “Purple Rain” on Wikipedia:

1. This was originally meant to be a country song.

2. Prince wanted Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac to be in on the collaboration but the pressure was too much for her.

3. Upon completion, Prince sent “Purple Rain” over to the band Journey to get their blessing on releasing it because he felt was so similar to the Journey song “Faithfully.” They gave him the green light!

4. I also had no idea what the lyric “Purple Rain” meant – it’s about Judgement Day, in the final hours being with eth one you love – raining blood against the blue sky (red + blue = purple.)

RELATED: Start Learning Fingerstyle Blues Guitar Instantly


Ready to take the next step in your guitar journey?

Learn fingerstyle guitar from a world-class guitarist and teacher. Let Adam guide you and show you exactly how to improve your guitar skills. Grab the rarest opportunity to Study With Adam FREE for 14 days, right now!

Start My FREE-14 Day Trial

Filed Under: Fingerstyle Guitar, Guitar, Practice, Videos

About Adam Rafferty

I’m Adam Rafferty – a guitar player born and raised in New York City, and currently spending most of my time on tour playing concerts and coaching my guitar students online at StudyWithAdam.com

Trending

  • 10 Tips for Healthy Guitar Practicing 82.8k views

  • Guitar Right Hand Technique – Nails vs Flesh? 60.2k views

  • How To Build Your Own Fingerstyle Guitar Arrangements – Part 1 55.5k views

  • Should You Use a Thumb Pick for Fingerstyle Guitar? 46.7k views

  • Don’t Use a Metronome 43.8k views

  • My Personal Fingerstyle Guitar Setup Measurements 37.5k views

  • 8 Tips for Playing Fingerstyle Guitar Without Making Mistakes 28.2k views

  • Critical Info for Youtube Musicians Who Perform Cover Songs 20.4k views

  • Youtube Recording Technique for Guitar Videos 14.5k views

  • The Secret to Improving Your Guitar Skills and Battling Frustration 11.5k views

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Learn my arrangements, get personal feedback and more. Try Study With Adam FREE for 14 days CLICK HERE

Adam Rafferty

Copyright © 2025 Adam Rafferty and Crescent Ridge Publishing | Email Policy | Privacy GDPR, & Cookies