Summary

If you're just starting to play the guitar and find it difficult to change between chords then don't be discouraged if you don't get this song quickly, actually you should put off learning this until you get a little better. It has a few difficult chords, riffs and the end solo takes a lot of practice. This is a challenging but rewarding song that has a distinctive chord structure coupled with unforgettable melodic riffs and solo. If you understand and can play this song fully then your well on your way to being a good guitarist.

Song Audio Help

All audio examples of this song are recorded at 120 b.p.m. This is slower than the original recorded version to aid you with practice.

Hotel California - Intro

The intro to this song uses a capo across the 7th fret.

Tip: When using a capo, place it as close as you can to the end of the fret. Sometimes I even place it on the fret, this will stop the capo putting your guitar out of tune. A capo can place a lot of pressure to the strings causing them to go out of tune when it is applied.

12 string guitars are strung and tuned like this, basically it is the same as a six string guitar but the lower 4 strings (E, A, D & G) have a string coupled with them that are an octave higher. The last 2 strings (B & E) have a unison string coupled with them.

This is the order of chords played

Before you even start playing the picking pattern, try playing these chords, strumming only once on each pattern. These chords are played on a 12 string guitar so if you're playing them on an electric or a 6 string acoustic then they won't sound the same as the song.

This audio example plays all 8 chords one after the other only strumming once (not using the picking pattern). Use this to get your fingers use to the chord shapes, then concentrate on the picking pattern.

12 String Guitar Intro

The main thing with this is to listen to the song over and over. You need to hear the sound of the song in your head before you start playing it. If you can get the part below note for note then that's great, but mostly if you get a feel for how the picking pattern goes you can summarise or improvise it. Only people who play the song or who have a great ear for music would pick up on the subtle differences.

Hint: Always pick in the direction of the next string you're going to play!

Remember: This Intro part below is played with a capo on the 7th fret on a 12 string guitar.

2nd Guitar Intro - Nylon String Guitar

Even though this part is played on a nylon string guitar the audio example below is played with a normal electric.

Hotel California - Verse Guitar Parts

The 12 string guitar continues through the verses as well as the intro. When you listen to the above MP3 example you can hear up to 7 guitars playing at once. Playing this in a standard band would make this a difficult song to add to the repertoire. That's why you don't see too many bands play it (or play it well).

This muted guitar plays through both verses, it has no note or tone value, it is purely percussive.

This guitar part is played in verse 1 & 2, this riff re-enforces the bass line, giving the bass a punchy dominant sound. It is subtle in the mix and you could almost think that it's not even there. This is a good example of how song parts and instrument blend to create a bigger picture.

Distorted Harmony Lead Guitars

These are two electric distorted guitars harmonising through the 2nd half of the 1st & 2nd Verse. You can't play both these parts together on the one guitar and get the same sound. They have to be played by two guitarists going through two separate amps.

Verse 2

This riff is similar to the one above. To get more sustain out of your notes try using a vibrato.

The next riff uses harmony notes again. A simple way to explain harmony notes is that it's the same riff but played either higher or lower than the main riff. There is a lot more to it than that of course, you have to know the key of the songs/solo and use either a 3rd or 5th above as a standard.

Hotel California - Chorus

These are the 5 chords used in the chorus, once again it is played with a capo on the 7th fret on a 12 string guitar.

Chorus 1 - Riffs

Chorus 2 - Riffs

Hotel California - Solo

All tabs below are separated by phrasing, not bars. Phrasing is a group of notes that run smoothly into each other. This breaks the solo into smaller workable parts.

Remember: the "x" are muted notes, don't press down to the fret, just place your finger on the string but still pick the note.

Harmony Riff

Harmony Soloing From Here On