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Ukulalala

Latin

Cumbia

B · F# · F# · B

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B
I
F#
V
F#
V
B
I
Key
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Cumbia in B major

Cumbia is I · V · V · I. In B major that is B, F#. Colombian cumbia groove. Simple and infectious. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • La Cucaracha · Traditional
  • De Colores · Traditional
  • My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean · Traditional

Why it works

In B major this loop is B, F# (I · V · V · I). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in B major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

BF#

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → C · G · G · CD major → D · A · A · DE major → E · B · B · EF major → F · C · C · FG major → G · D · D · GA major → A · E · E · AB major → B · F# · F# · B

Related progressions

La BambaSon CubanoBolero

Frequently asked questions

What is the Cumbia ukulele chord progression?

Cumbia is the I–V–V–I chord loop. In B major that is B, and F#. Colombian cumbia groove. Simple and infectious.

What do the roman numerals mean in Cumbia?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Cumbia uses I–V–V–I. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In B major you play B, F#.

How do you practice Cumbia on ukulele?

Loop B, and F#. 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 Cumbia progression?

Songs built on Cumbia include La Cucaracha, De Colores, and My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.

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