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Latin

La Bamba

A · D · E · E

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A
I
D
IV
E
V
E
V
Key
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La Bamba in A major

La Bamba is I · IV · V · V. In A major that is A, D, E. The iconic La Bamba loop. Infectious and danceable. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Twist and Shout · The Beatles
  • Louie Louie · The Kingsmen
  • La Bamba · Ritchie Valens

Why it works

In A major this loop is A, D, E (I · IV · V · V). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. IV moves the song forward without leaving the key. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in A major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

ADE

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → C · F · G · GD major → D · G · A · AE major → E · A · B · BF major → F · Bb · C · CG major → G · C · D · DA major → A · D · E · EB major → B · E · F# · F#

Related progressions

Son CubanoBoleroCumbia

Frequently asked questions

What is the La Bamba ukulele chord progression?

La Bamba is the I–IV–V–V chord loop. In A major that is A, D, and E. The iconic La Bamba loop. Infectious and danceable.

What do the roman numerals mean in La Bamba?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. La Bamba uses I–IV–V–V. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In A major you play A, D, E.

How do you practice La Bamba on ukulele?

Loop A, D, and E. Change on the first beat of each bar and keep the strum steady. If one change is hard, practice that pair slowly, then play the full loop again.

What songs use the La Bamba progression?

Songs built on La Bamba include Twist and Shout, Louie Louie, and La Bamba.

Why do so many songs use the same chords?

La Bamba (I–IV–V–V) is one of the most reused patterns in Latin and beyond. Writers come back to it because the roles are strong: home, departure, pull, and contrast. It supports almost any melody and still feels complete when you loop it. Same functions, different songs.

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