3 different ways of playing Purple Rain on guitar!

In this lesson, we'll explore three different ways to play Purple Rain on the guitar, because the original recording uses some fairly tricky, stretchy chord shapes that can be awkward for many players. So rather than just showing one version, this tutorial presents:

A “just like the record” version with the more complex chords
A simplified chord version that keeps the feel but is easier to play
A capo version for beginners using very accessible shapes

This means you can choose the version that fits our level—while still capturing the character of the song! :)

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The Main Chords (Full Version)

The full version uses:

B♭ add9 over D
G minor 11
F
E♭ add9

The first chord is a B♭ add9 over D, leaving the thickest two strings out. That D in the bass gives it a lot of character and matches what’s happening on the recording.

The G minor 11 keeps the top strings ringing and has a really lovely sound. The E♭ add9 is the stretch. The easiest way to build it is:

First finger
Second and third fingers
Little finger last

Trying to place everything at once makes it much harder. There’s also a regular B♭ just before the chorus.

Verse Progression

The verse progression is:

B♭ over D → G minor 11 → F → E♭

It goes around again, but the second time it briefly stays on F before stopping on B♭.

There are also a couple of short 2/4 bars. They don’t feel strange when listening, but you need to be aware of them.

Rhythm and Feel

The original recording is quite sparse. Often the chord is played once and left to ring.

There isn’t one fixed strumming pattern. Instead:

Keep the strumming hand moving
Choose when to strum and when to leave space
Stay consistent with the groove

Even when not hitting the strings, keeping the hand moving helps maintain timing. To simplify it, start with:

4 downstrums per bar
Then build to 8 per bar

If the rhythm is steady, the song works.

Intro Details

The intro includes small embellishments:

Flick-offs within the chord
Bass note first, then chord
Tight rhythmic hits

These details add character. You can work on them if you want to get closer to the recording, but they’re optional. The important thing is keeping that internal 16th-note motion in the strumming hand.

Simplified Version

If the full shapes feel too stretchy, you can simplify:

Use B♭ sus2 instead of B♭ add9
Use E♭ sus2 instead of E♭ add9

The progression stays the samem but the shapes become much more manageable. This keeps the feel while making the song more playable.

Capo Version (Beginner Option)

With a capo, you can use very accessible shapes:

A sus2
F# minor 11
E
D sus2

These are much easier to move between and work well for singing along. If you don’t have a capo, you can use the same shapes without it; it will just sit slightly lower.

Tone

The key sound in this song is chorus. A vintage-style chorus effect with moderate rate and depth gives the wide, lush texture.

Reverb helps, and a little delay can help too. But the chorus is the main ingredient!

Key Takeaway

No matter which version you choose:

Keep the rhythm steady
Let chords ring
Focus on feel

If the groove is solid, the song works, even with simple chords. Choose the version that fits and enjoy playing it!

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