La Llorona in E

Tradicional oaxaqueño(1940)son-mexicanoSon moderato
Do Re MiC D E
E
Instrument
GuitarUkuleleBassPiano
A
A
B
B
Em
Am
Em
B7
Em
Am
B7
Em
Em
Am
Em
B7
Em
Am
B7
Em
C
G7
C
G7
Em
B7
Em
Em
C
G7
C
G7
Em
B7
Em
Em

Chord Diagrams — La Llorona in E (Guitar)

La Llorona in E

La Llorona es una canción de origen zapoteca del Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Popularizada en el cine mexicano de los años 40 y grabada por Chavela Vargas en su versión más famosa. Lila Downs la revivió internacionalmente. La figura de la mujer que llora al niño perdido (o al amor perdido) se entrecruza con la leyenda prehispánica, haciendo de esta canción una de las más cargadas de significado cultural del México profundo.

La Llorona in E

E major is arguably guitar's most powerful key. The open low E and high E strings ring sympathetically as the root, while the open B provides the fifth. This triple reinforcement gives E-based riffs and chords unmatched depth and volume. E is a beginner-level key on guitar because both the low E and high E strings ring as the root, and the open B is the fifth — three open strings reinforce the tonic chord. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to C (ascending half step), C to G (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from G to E by minor third.

Scales for Improvisation

E major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, E Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

son-mexicano4/4 · 32 bars · Form: AABB

Chords: Em, Am, B7, C, G7.