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Earth Wind & Fire – ‘Shining Star’

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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.

A transcription is available for this course. To download it, please visit the Free Stuff page.

This course contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. ‘Shining Star’ Play-Through

In this video I will be performing the song using a 1972 Fender Jazz Bass.

2. Course Overview

In this video I will be giving an overview of the song as well as offering advice on finding an appropriate tone.

3. Intro Section

In this lesson we’ll be working through the intro, which consists of two separate lines: an arpeggio-based figure that is played in unison with the guitar, and a groove based off of the low E-string. This line features the use of ‘shakes’, a common fixture in funk and R&B lines.

4. 1st Verse

This lesson covers the first verse of the song, which builds on the bassline 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.

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 is almost identical to the earlier chorus section, albeit with some subtle differences.