FOLLOW US ON:
0 Cart £0.00

Earth Wind & Fire – ‘Shining Star’

< BACK Subscribe Now Subscriber Login

This song is one of Earth Wind and Fire’s biggest hits and features a very creative bass part from Verdine White. It was released as a single in January 1975 and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was later included on the band’s sixth album, That’s the Way of the World, which was released in March 1975.

Verdine White’s bass part from this song is notable for his use of ‘shakes’ – trill-like figures played on the top string – and the use of tenths to outline the harmony. Learning this piece will therefore equip you with some valuable tools to use in your own basslines.

When learning this piece, you might find the following courses (all included in the monthly subscription cost) useful:

A transcription (with TAB and without) is available for this course. To download it, please visit the Free Stuff page.

This course is 31 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. ‘Shining Star’

This video is a demonstration of the song performed on a 1972 Fender Jazz Bass strung with old strings for a warm, vintage tone.

2. Course Overview

This video contains an overview of the song and the challenges it presents, as well as offering some advice on choosing the right instrument and tone for a piece like this.

3. Intro Section

The intro consists of two separate lines: an arpeggio-based figure, and a groove based off of the low E-string. This line features the use of ‘shakes’.

4. 1st Verse

This lesson covers the first verse of the song, which builds on the bassline that was established in the second half of the intro.

5. Chorus

This video covers the chorus. During this section, Verdine outlines the harmony using tenth intervals. This is a simple - but creative and very effective – line.

6. Instrumental Break

This lesson covers the instrumental break that follows the first chorus. Verdine keeps his line relatively simple here, sticking mostly to root notes.

7. 2nd Verse

This video covers the second verse. The line here is essentially the same as it was in the first verse, but with some additional fills to consider.

8. Final Chorus

The final chorus in this song is almost identical to the earlier chorus sections, albeit with some subtle differences.