PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 7 keys

La Bamba

Mexican folk song (son jarocho) · 36 s · 82 notes · public domain
55556
Para bailar la bamba,

The interactive lesson needs JavaScript. Meanwhile, here is the whole song in numbers.

La Bamba piano notes: G G G G A G E · G G G G A G E A A A A G · G G F E D E C …

The number sheet

The whole song, in numbers. Print it, or put it on your piano.

5GPa5Gra5Gbai5Glar6Ala5Gbam3Eba,
5Gpa5Gra5Gbai5Glar6Ala5Gbam3Eba6Ase6Ane6Ace6Asi5Gta
5Gu5Gna4Fpo3Eca2Dde3Egra1Ccia,
5Gu5Gna4Fpo3Eca2Dde3Egra1Ccia,5Gpa5Gra7Cmí,5Gpa5Gra7Cti,
6Aay6Aa6Arri5Gba4Fy3Ea2Drri1Cba !
5GBam3Eba,5Gbam3Eba,5Gbam3Eba,2Dbam1Cba !
5GYo5Gno5Gsoy5Gma6Ari5Gne3Ero,
6Asoy6Aca6Api7Ctán,6Asoy6Aca6Api7Ctán,5Gsoy5Gca5Gpi1Ctán !
5GBam3Eba,5Gbam3Eba,4Fbam3Eba,2Dbam1Cba !

How to play La Bamba on the piano

A traditional son jarocho from Veracruz, Mexico, sung at weddings for generations. This is the traditional melody with its traditional words, not a recording or arrangement of it.

This easy version uses 7 white keys and the right hand only: 82 notes, about 36 seconds at 120 BPM in 4/4 time. The words are in Spanish.

  1. Find key 1: C4 (middle C). The other numbers go up from there, one white key each.
  2. Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.
  3. Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.
  4. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1CC4middle C
2DD4above middle C
3EE4above middle C
4FF4above middle C
5GG4above middle C
6AA4above middle C
7CC5above middle C

La Bamba in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

G G G G A G E
Para bailar la bamba,

G G G G A G E A A A A G
para bailar la bamba se necesita

G G F E D E C
una poca de gracia,

G G F E D E C G G C G G C
una poca de gracia, para mí, para ti,

A A A G F E D C
ay arriba y arriba !

G E G E G E D C
Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba !

G G G G A G E
Yo no soy marinero,

A A A C A A A C G G G C
soy capitán, soy capitán, soy capitán !

G E G E F E D C
Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba !

Questions

How many keys do I need for La Bamba?

7 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = C, 2 = D, 3 = E, 4 = F, 5 = G, 6 = A, 7 = C.

What are the first notes of La Bamba?

In numbers: 5 5 5 5 6 5 3. In letter notes: G G G G A G E.

Is La Bamba free to play and share?

Yes. La Bamba is in the public domain (Mexican folk song (son jarocho)). This easy arrangement, its number sheet and its MIDI file are free to use and share for learning.

Can I play it without a piano?

Yes: tap the keys on the page on a phone or tablet, or press the numbers 1–7 on a computer keyboard. The lesson waits for the right key and shows the next one.

How long does it take to learn?

The whole song lasts 36 seconds at 120 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

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