La Bamba chords

Ritchie Valens

Key: C Major

Chords: C, F, G

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 156 bpm

Guitar Tuning: Standard (E A D G B e)

Skill Level: Beginner 🟢

See charts for a simple 2-fret slide from F → G

Arrangement Song Details
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
C Major F Major G Major

Barre Chords:

C Major Barre Chord F Major Barre Chord G Major Barre Chord
L-H Chord Charts 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
Play-Along Video
Speed: x0.1

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 Guitarists:
    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:

Ritchie Valens Album Cover
Album Cover
  • 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
  • Featured Artist: Ritchie Valens
  • 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 which is featured in the video.
Song / Artist Capo Key Core Chords
All I Have To Do Is Dream - The Everly Brothers +4 C C, Am, Em, F, G, Dm, D7
Dream Lover - Bobby Darin +3 A A, Bm7, D, E, Em7, G
El Paso - Marty Robbins -  C→C# C, Dm7, F, G7, Am → C#, D#m7, F#, G#7, A#m
Handy Man - Jimmy Jones +3 G G, C, D7 Em
Running Bear - Johnny Preston +1 A A, D, B7, E7
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