La Bamba chords

Ritchie Valens

Song Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 156 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner 🟢

Chords: C, F, G

See charts for a simple 2-fret slide from 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: ...

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: C Major - no sharps or flats
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Latin rock beat
  • Metronome: ♩ = 156
  • Voice Range: E4 - F5
  • Beginner Guitarist:
    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:

Album Cover
Ritchie Valens
  • Songwriter: Traditional (originating from the state of Veracruz in Mexico)
  • 1958 Adaptation: Ritchie Valens
  • Lyrics Begin: Para bailar la Bamba.
  • Genre: Rock and roll, chicano rock, rock en español
  • Single:
    Recorded: 1958
    Released: October 1958
    B-side: Donna
  • Album: Ritchie Valens
    Recorded: 1958–59
    Released: February 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.
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