The popular Mexican folk song “De Colores” has a very simple chord structure. It is usually played in the key of G, and uses just four chords: G, C, D and Em (or E minor). The chorus goes like this: G – C – D – G De colores, de colores se visten los campos en la primavera. The verse is slightly more complex, but still follows the same chord pattern: G – C – D – Em-G-C-D. To play the full song, simply repeat these chords throughout each verse and chorus.
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The History of “De Colores”
“De Colores” is a traditional Spanish folk song that has been adapted by numerous artists throughout the years. It originated in Mexico and was popularized in both Latin America and Spain during the 1940s. The lyrics are full of symbolism, with references to colors representing hope, faith, and love. Over time, the song has become a staple at many festivals and celebrations around the world.
The earliest version of “De Colores” dates back to the 17th century when it was originally composed as an anonymous villancico from Extremadura in Spain. Since then, it has been recorded by countless artists including Joan Baez, Los Lobos, Ritchie Valens and Elvis Crespo among others. In particular, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán made it one of their signature songs after first performing it in 1949.
Since its introduction into mainstream culture over 70 years ago, “De Colores” has been featured prominently on television shows like Sesame Street as well as movies such as Coco (2017). It has even become part of several sports team’s fight songs such as Chivas USA’s soccer team anthem “Vamos Chivas”. Consequently, this beloved folk song continues to remain relevant today while also staying true to its traditional roots.
Learning the Chords: Basic Music Theory
Learning how to play “De Colores” on guitar or any other instrument involves understanding basic music theory. At its core, the song is written in a major key using three simple chords – A Major (A), D Major (D) and E Major (E). The progression of these chords can be heard throughout the entire song.
For those just starting out with learning their instrument, it is important to understand that each note in the major scale corresponds to a chord of the same name. For example, if you are playing an A Major chord then you are playing all notes from the A Major scale: A B C# D E F# G#. From this information, one can begin to identify which notes correspond to certain chords when played in a particular order within a given key.
Further complicating things is that some songs use different variations of these core chords; for instance, instead of just playing an E major chord as part of the progression, one may use Em or Esus4 or even E7sus2 depending on the sound they wish to achieve. Experimentation and practice are essential in finding what works best for your individual style and interpretation of this classic folk tune.
Guitar vs. Ukulele: Differences in Chord Progressions
While “De Colores” can be played on either a guitar or a ukulele, there are some important differences between the two instruments that affect the chord progressions. On a guitar, each string is tuned to a specific note, making it easier to create complex chords with several notes. Most guitars have six strings compared to only four strings on a ukulele. Therefore, by using barre chords and other techniques such as fingerpicking on the guitar, it’s possible to play more advanced versions of “De Colores.”.
In contrast, playing “De Colores” on a ukulele requires fewer fingers and chords because of its limited number of strings and tuning range. However, if you use certain strumming patterns and slides while plucking out the melody at the same time – known as ‘fingerstyle’ playing – you can get creative with the song. There are even some unique voicings in which you can substitute an alternate chord for one of those normally used in “De Colores” when performed on ukulele; this opens up new musical possibilities for experienced players looking for something different.
In short, regardless of which instrument you choose to play “De Colores,” there is plenty of room for creativity both musically and technically due to their various abilities and limitations. With practice and experimentation you’ll be able to come up with your own unique interpretations of this timeless classic.
Other Ways to Play “De Colores”: Advanced Techniques
Although the traditional way of playing “de colores” on guitar is straightforward, there are a variety of advanced techniques that can be used to really bring out the vibrancy and beauty of this classic folk song. One such method is using alternate tunings. Try using a DADGAD tuning for an exciting variation, as it produces a rich drone that will emphasize certain chords and add some musical complexity to your playing.
Another interesting technique you could use when playing “de colores” is fingerpicking. This style has become increasingly popular in recent years and provides an impressive acoustic accompaniment to any song. By incorporating hammer-ons, pull-offs, and other techniques into your fingerstyle performance you can create intricate rhythms and melodic flourishes that will truly make the piece stand out from others.
Why not try experimenting with capo placement? You could start off by placing it at the fourth fret so you can play in E major instead of A major – this may help unlock new possibilities for improvisation or soloing over the chord progressions in de Colores if you’re feeling adventurous. Alternatively, find another spot where shifting up two frets works well for both rhythm playing or lead lines – whatever sounds good to your ear!
Resources for Finding Sheet Music and Chords Online
Finding sheet music and chords for songs can be challenging. Luckily, there are a plethora of resources available online that make it easier to access the information you need.
One great resource is an online database such as Ultimate Guitar Tabs. Here, users can search by song title or artist and will be presented with chords and tabs in a range of musical styles. It also allows users to save chords they have searched for so they don’t have to look them up again in the future. The site provides user reviews on whether certain tablatures are accurate which can come in handy if you want to ensure your version of a song is correct.
Another excellent source for learning about chords for songs is video sharing platforms like YouTube. Channels such as Musical Ease provide video lessons which walk through playing specific pieces step-by-step making it easy to follow along at home. They also feature tutorial videos with exercises designed specifically for beginners who might not know much about music theory yet but still want to learn how to play their favorite tunes. Websites like 8Notes offer free printable scores that allow people to practice reading chord charts from scratch without having to worry about finding individual parts online first. This makes it easy for both experienced players and those new to playing instruments alike.
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