La Bamba chords

Ritchie Valens

La Bamba is an Mexican Folk Song made popular by Ritchie Valens in 1958. In 1987, the band Los Lobos recorded some Ritchie Valens covers for the soundtrack of the film 'La Bamba' including the title track which starred Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens.
Released: October 18, 1958
Album: Ritchie Valens
Music: C Major in 4/4 time at 156 bpm. The version by Ritchie Valens is ~ 140 bpm.
Chords: C, F, G

Chart Legend

Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note

Barre Chords:

La Bamba

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: I have included some different chord voicings for you to play around with. The easiest way is to use the first 3 charts (C - F - G) using the G (F-shape) voicing. This allows you to use exactly the same shape for F and G with a simple 2 fret slide between the 2 chords.

If you are using electric guitar, you may want to try the barre chords.

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

🌍 ritchievalens.com

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