Earth Wind & Fire – ‘Shining Star’

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 is notable for his use of ‘shakes’ and tenths. Shakes are decorations that are similar to trills, whilst tenths are double stops that are used to imply harmony. Learning this piece will therefore equip you with some valuable tools to use in your own basslines.

To download the transcription (with TAB and without), please visit the Free Stuff page.