Hotel California Chord Progression
The Hotel California progression is the chord progression i-V-bVII-IV-bVI-bIII-iv-V. In the key of C minor it is Cm G Bb F Ab Eb Fm G, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m 5 b7 4 b6 b3 4m 5.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: G, F.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Eight chords arranged in pairs: i to V, then bVII to IV and bVI to bIII, both falling by a fourth, before iv-V sets up the return. It mixes natural minor chords with a major V from harmonic minor and a major IV from Dorian. The result is a long descending journey that feels restless and never settles.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel California | Eagles | verse and outro solo | Bm F#7 A E G D Em F#7 | B minor |
Hotel California Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Minor line cliche: Cm Cm/B Cm7/Bb Cm6/A
- Chromatic lament bass: Cm G/B Cm/Bb F/A Ab G
- Picardy third ending: Cm Fm G C
- Minor circle of fifths: Cm Fm Bb Eb Ab Dm7b5 G Cm
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Hotel California progression in each key?
In C minor: Cm G Bb F Ab Eb Fm G. In G minor: Gm D F C Eb Bb Cm D. In D minor: Dm A C G Bb F Gm A. In A minor: Am E G D F C Dm E. In E minor: Em B D A C G Am B.
Which songs use the Hotel California progression?
Songs that use it include Hotel California by Eagles.
