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Rock · 1977 · Advanced

Hotel California

by Eagles
Key of Bm74 BPMAdvanced

Chord Sheet

Key of Bm · Progression: i–V–VII–IV–VI–III–vii

Bm
chord 1
F#
chord 2
A
chord 3
E
chord 4
G
chord 5
D
chord 6
Em
chord 7
Chord Loop
Bm — F# — A — E — G — D — Em — ...
Key
Bm
Tempo
74 BPM
Chords
7
Genre
Rock

🎵 Practice Tips for Hotel California

  • →Start at 37 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Bm→F# transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 74 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Hotel California by Eagles

Hotel California (1977) is a advanced-level rock song that uses 7 chords: Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em in the key of Bm. The chord progression is i–V–VII–IV–VI–III–vii.

Chord Breakdown

  • Bm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • F# — major chord, bright and stable
  • A — major chord, bright and stable
  • E — major chord, bright and stable
  • G — major chord, bright and stable
  • D — major chord, bright and stable
  • Em — minor chord, darker emotional sound

About Hotel California

"Hotel California" by Eagles (released 1977) is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded. Its 7-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of Bm, F#, A creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Hotel California as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Hotel California, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.

Similar Songs (Same Key or Chords)

Let It Be
The Beatles
C – G – Am – F
Beginner
C · 75 BPM
Wonderwall
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Em – G – D – A7sus4
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Knockin' on Heaven's Door
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G – D – Am – C
Beginner
G · 72 BPM
Stand By Me
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A – F#m – D – E
Beginner
A · 76 BPM
Perfect
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G – Em – C – D
Beginner
G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
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C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
🎵 Metronome
Practice at 74 BPM
🎼 Tuner
Tune your instrument
🎹 Piano
Play on virtual piano
🎸 Guitar
Play on fretboard

FAQ

Hotel California by Eagles — FAQ

What chords are in Hotel California by Eagles?
Hotel California uses the chords Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em in the key of Bm. The progression follows a i–V–VII–IV–VI–III–vii pattern. This is a advanced-level song.
What key is Hotel California in?
Hotel California by Eagles is in the key of Bm. The primary chords are Bm, F#, A.
What is the tempo of Hotel California?
Hotel California is played at approximately 74 BPM. This slow tempo is great for beginners to focus on chord transitions. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 74 BPM.
What strumming pattern does Hotel California use?
Hotel California is typically in 4/4 time. A common strumming pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) or simplified all-down for beginners. Focus on getting chord changes smooth before adding strumming complexity.
How do I play Bm chord on guitar?
Bm is the main chord in Hotel California. See our chord library for the Bm chord diagram with exact fingering.
Can I play Hotel California on piano?
Yes! Hotel California sounds great on piano. Play the chords Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a advanced-level arrangement.
Is Hotel California beginner-friendly?
Hotel California is rated Advanced difficulty. This song demands significant experience with barre chords and complex patterns.
What is the chord progression in Hotel California?
The main progression in Hotel California is Bm – F# – A – E – G – D – Em (Roman numeral: i–V–VII–IV–VI–III–vii). This 7-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.
Can I transpose Hotel California to a different key?
Yes! Hotel California is in Bm. To make it easier, try transposing to G or D using a capo. A capo changes your effective key while keeping the same chord shapes. Use our Transpose Tool to convert all chord names automatically.
What genre is Hotel California?
Hotel California by Eagles is a Rock song from 1977. Its 7-chord progression (Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.