La Bamba chords

Ritchie Valens

Song Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 156 bpm (latin rock beat)


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner (See charts for a simple 2-fret slide from F Major to G Major)

Chords: C, F, G

Chord Chart Legend
C Major F Major G Major

Barre Chords:

C Major Barre Chord F Major Barre Chord G Major Barre Chord
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
C Major-LH F Major-LH G Major-LH

Barre Chords:

C Major Barre Chord-LH F Major Barre Chord-LH G Major Barre Chord-LH

La Bamba

Intro Tab:
Intro Tab
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
                     C     F   G
1. Pa-ra bai-lar La Bam-ba 
             F      C           F      G
   Pa-ra bai-lar La Bam-ba   Se ne-ces-si-ta
        F        C       F    G 
   Un-a po-ca de gra-cia
        F        C               F         G
   Un-a po-ca de gra-cia   Pa-ra mi, pa-ra ti
        F           C          F      G
   Y ar-ri-ba, y ar-ri-ba
        F           C           F     G
   Y ar-ri-ba, y ar-ri-ba   Por ti se re 
       F     C       F     G
   Por ti se re, por ti se re

                   C     F   G
2. Yo no soy mar-i-ne-ro 
         F         C           F     G
   Yo no soy mar-i-ne-ro   Soy cap-i-tan
       F     C          F     G
   Soy cap-i-tan    Soy cap-i-tan
   
        C     F   G      F    C     F   G      F
Chorus: Bam - ba, Bam-ba      Bam - ba, Bam-ba
        C     F   G      F          C     F    G
        Bam - ba, Bam-ba      Bam - ba...

                    C     F   G   
3. Pa-ra bai-lar La Bam-ba 
             F      C           F      G
   Pa-ra bai-lar La Bam-ba   Se ne-ces-si-ta
        F        C       F    G 
   Un-a po-ca de gra-cia
        F        C               F         G
   Un-a po-ca de gra-cia   Pa-ra mi, pa-ra ti
        F           C 
   Y ar-ri-ba, y ar-ri-ba

          C    F     G    F     C    F     G    F
Instr: ‖ (ri-ba)  |          |          |         ‖ x5
          
          C    F       G        C    F      G
Intro: ‖          |          |          |       ‖
                                               (Pa-ra bai-lar La)

                    C     F   G
4. Pa-ra bai-lar La Bam-ba 
             F      C           F      G
   Pa-ra bai-lar La Bam-ba   Se ne-ces-si-ta
        F        C       F    G 
   Un-a po-ca de gra-cia
        F        C               F         G
   Un-a po-ca de gra-cia   Pa-ra mi, pa-ra ti
        F           C          F      G
   Y ar-ri-ba, y ar-ri-ba
        F           C           F     G
   Y ar-ri-ba, y ar-ri-ba   Por ti se re 
       F     C       F     G
   Por ti se re, por ti se re
   
        C     F   G       F   C     F   G     F
Chorus: Bam - ba, Bam-ba      Bam - ba, Bam-ba
        C     F   G       F   C     F   G     F
        Bam - ba, Bam-ba      Bam - ba, Bam-ba

Outro: ...

Please Note: There are different chord voicings for you to try. The easiest way for beginners is to use the first 3 charts (C - F - G) using the 'F-shape' voicing for both the 'F' and 'G' chords. This allows you to use exactly the same shape with a simple 2-fret slide between the two chords.

If you are playing electric guitar, barre chords are generally preferred.

Song Details:

  • Songwriter: Traditional (originating from the state of Veracruz in Mexico)
  • 1958 Adaptation: Ritchie Valens
  • Lyrics Begin: Para bailar la Bamba.
  • Recorded: 1958
  • Single Release: October 1958
  • Album: Ritchie Valens
  • Released: January 12, 1959
  • In 1987, the band Los Lobos recorded some Ritchie Valens songs for the soundtrack of the film 'La Bamba' including the title track which starred Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens.

Ritchie Valens

Album Cover
Ritchie Valens

Born: Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941 in Pacoima, California, U.S.

Died: February 3, 1959 (aged 17) in Clear Lake, Iowa, U.S. He died in a light plane crash along with Buddy Holly and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.

Music Styles: Rock and roll, Chicano rock

Profession: Singer, songwriter, guitarist

Active Years: 1957-1959

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