Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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.
I performed the line using a 1972 Fender Jazz bass strung with old strings. I used both pickups and turned the tone control most of the way down. Some compression was added in Logic.
A full video tuition course for this song is available to video course subscribers at Bassline Publishing. You can check out the course below:
basslinepublishing.com/video-section/earth-wind-fire-shining-star
You can SUBSCRIBE to my video courses here: basslinepublishing.com/video-course-choice
Don't forget to like the video and subscribe so that you see more great bass content from me in the future!
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Follow Bassline Publishing:
Facebook: facebook.com/BasslinePublishing
Instagram: instagram.com/stuartclaytonbass
X: twitter.com/BasslinePublish
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.
I performed the line using a 1972 Fender Jazz bass strung with old strings. I used both pickups and turned the tone control most of the way down. Some compression was added in Logic.
A full video tuition course for this song is available to video course subscribers at Bassline Publishing. You can check out the course below:
basslinepublishing.com/video-section/earth-wind-fire-shining-star
You can SUBSCRIBE to my video courses here: basslinepublishing.com/video-course-choice
Don't forget to like the video and subscribe so that you see more great bass content from me in the future!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Bassline Publishing:
Facebook: facebook.com/BasslinePublishing
Instagram: instagram.com/stuartclaytonbass
X: twitter.com/BasslinePublish
