Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Shining Star on piano
By Jump5
- E major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- Easy
Learn Shining Star in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: A7 – D7 – G7 – C7
Shining Star sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C; G7 is G, B, D and F; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
A7IV7D7bVII7G7bIII7C7bVI7- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- G7G · B · D · F
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Lazy footsteps
One long low note, then two calm steps to finish the bar. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Swing push
Three chords tumble out early with a swing, then the bar breathes. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 100 BPM
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: A – B – E
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
ABE- AA · C# · E
- BB · D# · F#
- EE · G# · B
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Questions about Shining Star
What chords are in Shining Star?
The loop is A7 – D7 – G7 – C7 (IV7 – bVII7 – bIII7 – bVI7) in E major, and the song ends on A – B – E.
What key is Shining Star in?
E major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Shining Star?
Lazy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Shining Star easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.